10/09/2026
Another Serious Honey Bee Attack in Kirby, Texas — and the Danger May Not Be Over.
Yesterday, a landscaper was hospitalized after disturbing an established honey bee colony while mowing near Charles Conrad and Gene Cernan streets in Kirby, just outside San Antonio. According to KENS 5, an exterminator was also attacked while attempting to address the problem.
What concerns me most is that a nearby church is preparing to welcome families and children to its pumpkin patch this weekend, approximately half a block from where this attack occurred.
City officials have restricted the roadway to one lane through the weekend. But closing a traffic lane does not eliminate an aggressive bee colony or guarantee the safety of people nearby.
An exterminator reportedly sprayed the colony, but whether the entire colony was successfully eliminated remains unclear. Until that is confirmed, there is reason for concern.
As a commercial beekeeper with years of experience working with highly defensive honey bees, I understand how dangerous these situations can become. Municipal officials are not necessarily trained in honey bee behavior, and decisions about public safety need to include people who understand these risks.
This morning, I contacted the Kirby Police Department on behalf of Honey Bee Awareness and offered to come out at no charge to evaluate the situation and address any remaining bee hazard. I provided my contact information to the dispatcher, but have not received a response as of this afternoon.
My concern is simple: We already have one person hospitalized. We do not need another incident, especially with children and families gathering nearby this weekend.
Someone needs to verify that the danger has actually been eliminated, not simply assume the problem has been resolved.
This is precisely why Honey Bee Awareness exists. Education, experience, and responsible action can prevent serious injuries and save lives.
KSAT 12 reported this morning, October 9, that an exterminator treated the hive specifically to eliminate the queen. The intersection is supposed to remain restricted through Monday while the bees disperse
The queen isn't directing the workers to attack. The workers are defending their established nest, particularly the brood, comb, and stored food. The queen is part of the colony, but removing or killing her does not immediately stop defensive behavior.
That is an important distinction in this Kirby situation.
Even if the exterminator killed the queen, surviving workers may continue defending the nest site, particularly if brood and food stores remain.
So the question isn't simply whether they got the queen.
It's whether the treatment actually eliminated the dangerous colony activity and whether the surrounding area is safe.
That's what needs to be established before families and children gather nearby this weekend.
Save the Right Bees. Do Not Normalize Aggressive Bee Behavior.
KENS 5 News Report:
Kirby police were called around 10 a.m. Thursday to the corner of Charles Conrad and Gene Cernan, where a landscaper had been mowing a yard.
