Animals: Boston Bees

According to John Van de Poele, Massachusetts’ Chief Bee Inspector, at least 17 people were stung to death by bees in New England last year. Inspector Van de Poele, who wears a bathing suit while tending his own bees, has been stung almost daily for eleven years, considers himself totally immune to bee poison.* But physicians say that, like other persons who have developed ordinary bee immunity, he too could be killed instantly by a single sting on a vulnerable spot, the jugular vein, perhaps, or a major nerve.

One evening last week Apiarist Van de Poele went to Boston’s Radio Station WEEI to talk about bees, took along a hive of 30,000 bees for sound effect. Nervous after his microphone ordeal, he struck the hive against a studio door, dropped it. Out with a horrid hum swarmed all 30,000 bees. While spectators and staff members fled, the beeman valiantly scooped his charges back into the studio with bare bands, slammed the door.

Then for two hours, moving cautiously lest he release the bee-maddening smell of a squashed bee, he herded most of the insects back into their hive. Later he returned with a smoke gun and vacuum sweeper to clean up. About 5,000 bees died in the process. From his body Apiarist Van de Poele, who suffered not so much as a swelling, calmly removed some 300 stingers.

*Imperfectly understood, death by bee sting is thought due to a special poison secreted by particular insects, possibly diseased. Apisination should be treated by gently removing the stinger, washing the wound with a weak solution of ammonia or soda, applying antiseptic. Bleeding should be encouraged.