On a hot summer day, there is nothing more refreshing than a nice glass of water. Apparently, humans have that in common with bees.
The flying insects in search of refreshment recently caused parts of Joshua Tree National Park to be closed. Swarms of bees flocked to the park in search of water in warm temperatures, creating conditions that were deemed unsafe.
Whether it was water on the ground or sweating people, bees were attracted to the area, leading to closures. The Cottonwood Visitor Center, parking lots, restrooms and campgrounds were closed as a result.
“During the summer, water becomes scarce and bees seek out water sources, just like our other park animals,” park officials said in a post. “However, this can also include condensation from air conditioning units, visitor sweat and bathrooms.”
It is hoped that closing off these areas of the park will force the bees to look for water elsewhere, as it is not readily available there. Without air conditioning in the building or sweating people, they will seek refuge elsewhere.
It is uncertain when these parts of Joshua Tree will reopen, but officials say it could take about a week for the bees to completely leave the area.
It is not a new phenomenon that bees fly to the park when temperatures rise. However, the number of insects has increased and the danger is that it does not take large amounts of water to attract their attention.
There have been several reported cases of people being stung by bees. One person who spoke to Sandra McDonald of the Los Angeles Times stated that for the first time in her life she was stung by bees trying to drink her sweat.
Another person reported that their RV was attacked when an open water jug attracted bees. Rangers helped drive the insects away by pouring water on a trail away from people. To get rid of the remaining bees, they were advised to keep driving until they flew away.
In early August, a frightening incident occurred in Jurupa Valley where a man was stung over 200 times. His two horses were also killed in the unfortunate attack.
