Pest Expert gives Buzz on Bees!
Kevin Abraham, a.k.a. "The Bee Man," has been stung more than 3,000 times during his 28-year career in pest control.
You'd think surviving such an onslaught would crack a dent in his courage, if not his work uniform.
But he doesn't seem too concerned.
"I'm immune to it now, I've been stung so many times."
Abraham visited Scott Township Library last Thursday morning so that children could get the "buzz" on bees, Yellowjackets, hornets and other flighty pests.
But "pests" would be a misnomer. Abraham told children that foods as diverse as apples and hamburgers wouldn't be possible without their pollination efforts.
"Honey bees are so important to human beings," he said.
The presentation was part of the library's Summer Reading Program -- "Catch the Reading Bug" -- which this year is focusing on insects, butterflies, worms and other slimy critters of the animal kingdom.
Abraham first got into the "bees-nesss" by managing a bee farm in Daisytown, Pa. He said people would continuously contact him to help with infestations.
A resident of Wexford, "The Bee Man" serves the tri-state area and specializes in controlling bees, yellow jackets, carpenter bees hornets and wasps that may become a nuisance.
Owner of a masters degree in psychology, he also has written a book on controlling African killer bees.
There are three types of bees: common honey bees, which live in large families of hives; bumblebees, which socialize in smaller groups; and minor bees, which live by themselves.
Abraham said small hives can reach 15,000 bees and large ones can hold a population of 50,000.
On their back legs, they use two sacs to carry pollen --or "bee bread" --back to the hive. The protein also helps babies of the family receive nourishment.
Abraham also spent time debunking a few of the many bee myths.
Among them: Yellowjackets are wasps, not bees, and do not produce pollen. They dine on other bees to help keep their population in check.
"(Without them) we'd be up to our knees walking in bugs and flies."
He said it is true that bees die after one stings you, as the stinger is left behind, inside an unlucky arm or leg.
After being stung by a bee, Abraham suggested cleaning it with soap and water, and placing ice or meat tenderizer on the area.
He pointed out an ecology crisis is currently gripping the globe, as honey bees are starting to disappear and no one knows the reason why.
Those of any age may jump when they spy a bee, but Abraham hopes his occupation helps lift the veil on their mysterious lives.
"I have a very special job."
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