Overview

• Three horses died of venom-related organ failure after being attacked by a swarm of bees on May 9 near Comanche, Texas.
• The horses' owners, Baillie Hillman and James Ramirez, were hospitalized after sustaining multiple stings while attempting to save the animals.
• Volunteer firefighters used soapy water and protective suits to disperse the aggressive bees and free the horses, which had been stung hundreds of times.
• A hidden hive, believed to belong to Africanized honey bees, was later found in a tree near the property and removed by a pest control service.
• Experts urge residents to inspect properties for hives, relocate them safely when found, and consider environmental factors that may increase bee defensiveness.