Officials from the Brownwood- Brown County Health Department report that a swarm of bees have taken refuge in a small tree in downtown Brownwood, and officials are asking residents to use caution if traveling in that area.

Paul Coghlan of the Brownwood-Brown County Health Department said that the bees are in a tree on the corner of Center Avenue and Lee Street near the Brownwood Manor in downtown.   Coghlan said that someone reported the bees to the City of Brownwood on Friday afternoon and the area around the tree was roped off for safety.

“People need to stay away from them,” Coghlan said.  “If you don’t mess with them, they won’t mess with you.”

Officials believe that the bees are a migratory species and may move away on their own, but officials are making plans to remove the bees if needed.  Coghlan said that he has been in contact with a local exterminator to remove the bees using non-lethal methods.

As of Saturday morning, the bees were still located in the tree.