A 95 year-old- man from Redondo Beach was attacked Wednesday around 2:50 p.m. by a swarm of 600 bees while walking from his home on the 1700 block of Ruxton Lane.
According to a press release from the police department, it is believed that the bees were agitated by a fumigator that was in the process of trying to exterminate the hive, located in a second story apartment roof of the Ocean Air Apartment complex.
The fumigator fled to avoid being stung, and the man, Louis Todero, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was stung over his entire body, including his face, neck, in his ears and nose, on his back and on his arms.
The Redondo Beach Fire Department responded to assist Todero, but were themselves attacked by the bees. Luckily because of safety precautions, none of the firefighters were stung.
“He is doing fine,” said Sergeant Phil Keenan from the Redondo Beach Police Department, who has recently talked to family members. “He’s real tired and medicated, but he’s doing well.”
It is not known if they are the aggressive Africanized bees, but because of their behavior, the police department worked on the assumption that they were indeed the dangerous breed. Los Angeles Vector Control called in a specialist, and the hive, which has taken over the annex of the building and has been seen and destroyed there before, was destroyed at about 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. The hole, which was thought to have been made previously by a cable company, has been plugged and in seven days the exterminator will come back to make sure the hive has been exterminated for good.
Police officers went door-to-door warning citizens of the hive and suggested they shut their windows and doors to avoid being stung. Signs have also been posted warning unknowing passersby’s of the danger.
“If you find yourself attacked,” warned Keenan from the Redondo Beach Police Department, “Run- they will give up the chase. Do not fall down, even if you are being stung. If you do, they will swarm you and you may sustain upwards of thousands of stings.”
Keenan also suggests that if you find a hive in your area, call your local animal control. They will come immediately and remove the nest.
Todero was recently released from Little Company of Mary Hospital and is in stable condition at home.
