The Region - News from Aug. 8, 1985

Swarms of thirsty honeybees are bellying up to Indio swimming pools and sprinklers in search of a cool drink of water, and residents of this desert town are buzzing mad over the invasion. About 1,000 colonies with more than 100,000 bees each were brought into the Coachella Valley last month by beekeepers. The bees work the area for a few months, extracting nectar from blooming tamarisk trees for honey production. The recurring problem is caused by neglectful beekeepers who fail to keep hives filled with water.