Well..well.well! Seems we have some bee-phobia in our ranks LOL!
I've kept bees for over 50 years..it never ceases to amaze me how the stories abound. (I'm also retired Dentist..and similar phobias about going to dentist have always fascinated me..LOL!).
1.) The majority of "bee incidents" are usually non-bee..i.e. wasps and hornet incidents 2.) Bees can't sting unless they land on you and plant their feet to jab with their stingers 3.) Swarming bees are usually at their most docile..i.e. their in survival mode and not willing to sacrifice their lives by stinging (they become more aggressive when they have "brood" to defend) 4.) Swarming bees fly very slowly..so unless one is just not paying attention..they can easily be avoided/steered around.
Sorry guys! I'm good for tall tales and stories about stuff. Just had to add my two cents..and over 50 years of beekeeping experience to this conversation. Attached is pic of me with about 50 new bee packages a year ago. We all need to be talking-up honey bees..the benefits they provide (1/3rd of food production)..I suggest.
As always..Ichi
Check out our website: http://ColoradoProBeekeeping.org/
Ichi:
Is it true that bumblebees' sting is "worse" than honeybees? I know the wasp hurts more, but mostly because they can do it again right away.
My friend's house (in Westminster) has a giant honeycomb growing in the attic, between it and the chimney. He can't find anyone to come and take them out for less than several thousand dollars, and his insurance won't cover it. I don't know why, exactly, but he said the local beekeepers can't help him? This thing is almost 10 feet long now, and the honey is oozing into the basement under the (upstairs) chimney where it is dripping down inside the walls(!). Messy...but tasty! 
________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi Mark.. I'll put on my Entomologist's hat here for a bit..okay? All the stinging insects have somewhat different venom components..so "how bad" they are seems to be a relative thing..i.e how sensitive a person is to a particular venom..and of course..how much of a "load" is delivered with the sting. Some people are relatively immune to the effects of honey bees..but can be quite sensitive to say a hornet or wasp sting. With us beekeepers for instance..most of us develop a resistance over time (and accumulated stings) so that our reaction is about the same as with a mosquito bite. I assume when you mention a "bumble bee" you're referring to the large black and yellow fuzzy ones we see flying around here in Colorado in the spring and summer (there are literally hundreds of species of bumble bees..some large..some small BTW). On the other hand..the sting of "Bombus" can be about 1/4 inch long and deliver several times more venom per sting..than a honey bee (remember though that most stinging insects have to plant themselves on you..before they can jab you with their sting). And yes..wasps and hornets can sting multiple times whereas a HB stings only once..then dies (but that stinger that stays in you keeps on delivering more venom LOL)!
As far as the honey comb in your friend's attic is concerned..it's not uncommon for honey bees to take-up residence in houses/buildings like that. We used to see it quite often in the "old days" (before parasitic mites decimated feral colonies in the late 1990's)..but not so common nowadays. Regarding removal..that depends on how difficult it is to get to them..usually. Many homeowners seem shocked when they get estimates for removal..because it may involve a significant amount of "de-construction" to get to them..then re-construction to repair the structural damage. And when a colony gets big like that (with large combs..dripping honey..etc.) it is best to get in there and remove that stuff rather than just killing it and sealing-up..so as not to leave literally a lot of garbage (honey..wax and dead bees) to rot in there.
I think there should be some people who specialize in bee removals..in the greater Denver area that can do that..but it's not going to be for free (which for whatever reason some folks seem to think bee removals should be). Bees are not "gold" nor do most beekeepers want them after they've been traumatized by being "removed". Have your friend look for pest removal services that specialize in bee removals in the Yellow Pages or on-line..I suggest (don't have any names handy presently).
As a long time beekeeper myself..my main interest is to not unnecessarily malign honey bees (though some caution is necessary when working with them). Also to help educate the general public about their usefulness..in fact indispensability..in maintaining a healthy environment and ecosystems.
Good to hear from you Mark. Please feel free to comment further If you feel necessary..
Al/ Ichi
