Calling a professional exterminator seemed a waste of time and money. After all, why pay someone to squirt a bee and wasp spray when you can buy a can and do it yourself. Not a lot of complicated procedures in this kind of home project.

A trip to the local hardware store and Donald was ready to do battle. His plan was simple (perhaps a little too simple): spray a can of the wasp killer inside the hole the bees were using as an entrance, then quickly spackle over the hole. That would trap them and end the problem. His plan did not involve protective clothing or a face mask. And, of course, there was the pesky issue of getting the bees to cooperate.

To reach the hole he needed a step ladder. Not finding one handy, he rolled over a nearby office chair – the kind with wheels and a swivel seat. Balancing precariously on top of this chair, he reached up, inserted the spray nozzle, and let loose a volley. What happened next was right out of a Hitchcock flick.

A swarm of angry bees emerged not only from the hole he was working on but two others he had not noticed at the other end of the room. As he flailed about wildly, the chair moved out from under him and he fell hard against the wall. This provoked the rest of the colony, who came out to help.

He was found well and truly dead an hour later by a family member who called police. The police report said the walls “were alive with a humming sound”. They could not approach the victim, who was covered with angry insects. A professional was called in to assist, who estimated there were more than 60,000 bees present. An autopsy was planned to determine cause of death. But we know dear readers, that (even without the benefit of an autopsy) if you receive 60,000 bee stings you are also likely to receive a Darwin Award!

Submitted on 11/08/2011

Submitted by: John Figliozzi
Reference: Miami Herald - Miami Dade local news, Nov 6 2011

Copyright © 2011 DarwinAwards.com

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
I can accept not wanting to call an (probably expensive) professional, but all the rest of the stuff he did-! Not even basic protection! Thanks, John!

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
“When police officers arrived, they could hear a humming noise, like the walls were alive,” according to a police spokesman. And this guy thought that a simple can of wasp killer would be enough to do the job? Yep, he's definitely in the running for a DA. Thanks, John. For the mods: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/06/2489417/miami-man-believed-killed-by-massive.html

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