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Rest stop closed after swarm of bees takes over

Posted at 6:41 PM, Aug 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-24 21:41:14-04

The Nevada DOT is working to find a solution after a rest stop was forced to closed due to a bee infestation.

It happened at a rest stop along the U.S. 95 south of Searchlight and near Laughlin.

Inspectors found hundreds of bees near the toilets and faucets.  They say it's the second time recently there's been a problem.

In June, they had the same issue.  They believe bees were drawn to the water.  They were able to patch up the problem and the bees went away, but now they're back again.

Lisa Tonioli, who cleans the rest stop says she noticed bees coming out of faucets where water comes out.

The closure created frustration for travelers because it's the only rest stop between Las Vegas and Laughlin along the 95.

One visitor from Montreal even drove over the gravel around the closed sign so he could park and eat his lunch.

He says he had no idea the reason it was closed was because of bees.

"The last time I was here it was open," he says. "I don't know how they came around and swarmed the place."

Nevada DOT says they're consulting with bee experts to find a more permanent solution to the problem.

They're hoping to have the rest stop reopened within the next few weeks.