It was a creepy-crawly week in South Milam County as a Rockdale area man was treated after sustaining 60 “killer bee” bites and the second rabid bat in three weeks was discovered in Thorndale. The sting victim is recovering, but was termed “lucky” by the Rockdale exterminator who was called to the scene north of town. It’s the third rabid bat report for Thorndale since May and the second at a Thorndale school. There has been no known human or animal contact in any of the incidents. KILLER BEES—Brady Nelson Jr. of Nelson Pest Control told The Reporter the bee incident occurred on County Road 235C. Nelson said the retired home owner was mowing his yard when the vibrations apparently irritated the insects and they swarmed out of a meter box. “They stung him about 60 times,” Nelson said. “They really got after him. But he’s okay.” Nelson said neighbors summoned help and the victim was rushed to Little River-Rockdale Hospital. Nelson returned to deal with the bees. “Ordinarily I don’t like to kill bees,” he said. “I even contacted some local beekeepers to see if they wanted them. I ended up taking care of them because they had been so aggressive.” Nelson wouldn’t offer an opinion on whether the bees involved in the attack were the feared Africanized strain which have earned the “killer bee” nickname.
“They were obviously capable of that kind of behavior, but they did not appear that aggressive toward me,” he said.
BAT—Martin Jackson, Thorndale Police Chief, said about 3:30 p.m. Aug. 15 a bat was found in the weight room of the Thorndale ISD Field House.
“No known contact was made between the bat and any human or animal and it is unknown how long the bat was located near this area,” he said.
Police impounded the bat and it tested positive for rabies at the Texas Dept. of Health Services.
MORE—On July 27, a rabid bat had been found in the 100 block of South Main in Thorndale.
On May 5 a rabid bat was discovered on Thorndale ISD property in a custodial area near the ag shop. No contact was reported.
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