African Killer Bees .....or so they say!

This week we experienced the excitement of discovering a huge nest of bees in our neighbors tree!  Now mind you that this is not just any tree but a tree that produces a beautiful yellow flower and a smell so incredible that we have been told that Chanel No. 5 uses it to produce their famous perfume!  This is a tree that we ourselves planted and when it was in bloom I would place these lovely flowers in the house and we would enjoy this amazing fragrance for days!


So when Juan came to me and pointed out this seemingly overnight homesteading of these bees in this beautiful tree I asked "What should we do!?!"  and Juan politely replied "Call the Bomberos!"

And that is exactly what we did!

If you are not up to par on your Spanish "Bombero" is the Spanish word for Firefighter so instead of the proverbial "cat being rescued from the tree" we are being rescued from the "Killer Bees"!  In just a matter of minutes the Bomberos of Parrita arrived on the scene to perform their honorable duties.

They evaluated the situation asked to borrow our ladder and one of the crew suited up to become the rescuer.  But wait a minute.....Who is that brave one that has climbed the ladder to the top of the tree with no protection?!  
After a long dousing of what appeared to be an insect poison spray the Bomberos left us with big smiles...ours and theirs...with the satisfaction of a job well done!

The Parrita Fire Department 
officially opened its doors 

to the community of Parrita on 
Friday 03 May 2002.

To learn more about the history of this department 
CLICK HERE.  

African (killer) bees arrived in Costa Rica in 1982, and you would do well to assume that all bee colonies are now Africanized. Keep your distance from hives or swarms. The stings of Africanized bees are no more venomous than those of your garden-variety bee, but these insects are aggressive and attack with less provocation. The cumulative effect of many bee stings is dangerous. If you're attacked, move in a zigzag motion; you can probably outrun them. Head for water if any is nearby, and cover your head. If someone with you is attacked and cannot move, cover both of you with something light in color and get the person to safety. Remove stingers with a knife or fingernails, being careful not to squeeze more of the stinger's venom into the bite. Apply ice or cold water, and, if badly bitten, see a doctor.  This excerpt taken from Insects Costa Rica.   Please enjoy their page about the many insects of Costa Rica.

A very special Thank You to the Bomberos of Parrita

for coming to our rescue!

We appreciate your service!

Costa del Sol  ~  Playa Bejuco  

Located in the Parrita Canton in the 

Province of Puntarenas on the Central Pacific Coast

of beautiful Costa Rica!

www.CostaRicaNewHomes.com