Living with Africanized Honey Bees in the

Outdoor Workplace.

William H. Kern, Jr.

Ft. Lauderdale REC

What are Africanized Honey Bees?

• They are Honey Bees whose ancestors came from southern Africa.

• They are more unpredictable than the domesticated European Honey Bee (EHB) we are use to seeing in yards, parks, and gardens.

• They can be much more defensive and protective of their colonies than EHBs.

The Truth About Africanized Honey Bees

• Africanized honey bees (AHB) are the same species as European honey bees (EHB).

• The sting of the AHB is not more dangerous or toxic than EHB.

• All honey bees can only sting once.

• You can not tell an AHB from a EHB by looking at them.

Are These AHB?

Honey Bees• Foraging Honey bees

whether Africanized or European will not attack you.

• Foragers will sting in defense if you step on them.

• Honey bees only become intensely defensive when defending their hive or colony.

Swarms• Are a way for colonies to divide when they

get too large for the hive location• The old queen and some of the workers

leave the old colony to found a new colony at a new location.

• These bees are not defensive because they do not have resources (honey and babies) to defend.

• Even Africanized bees are not very defensive at this stage.

Swarms Are Not Aggressive

European Honey Bee

Swarm

AHB swarms are smaller than EHB swarm.

• Most AHB swarms are the size of a softball or volleyball, but some aren't much larger than a coffee cup.

• Swarming is undesirable because it greatly increases the number of feral colonies.

Willie The Bee Man, Inc.

Differences between AHB and EHB

Excessive Swarming

• AHB swarms more frequently than the EHB.– EHB colony swarms every 1-2 yrs. In

late spring or early summer– AHB colony swarms 4-8 times/yr from

February through October in S. FL.• Continuous monitoring is required to

detect small swarms and newly established colonies.

Scouts Have Found a New Home and the Swarm Has Arrived

They Settle on the Outside and Then Move Inside the Void

Differences between AHB and EHB Excessive Absconding

• Absconding is relocation of the entire bee colony to new nest site

• Absconding is common with the AHB.

– Results in loss of a managed colony.

– Adds to the feral population competing with managed bees for nectar and pollen.

• Many relocated feral colonies require elimination.

Evidence of Absconding From an Exposed Nest

Differences between AHB and EHB Reproductive Capacity

• AHBs have higher brood production and less honey storage than EHB.

• AHBs produce more bees in a shorter period than EHB.

• Dangerous numbers of AHB bees develop rapidly.

Willie The Bee Man, Inc.

Differences between AHB and EHB

Selection of Nesting Site• EHBs are particular in selecting nest

sites. – Hollow trees, wall voids. – Cavities (about 10 gallons in size). – Above ground, clean, and dry voids.

• Proper colony sites are rare so there are limited numbers of feral EHB hives.

Differences between AHB and EHB

Selection of Nesting Site• AHBs nest in any protected

place – Smaller, closer to the ground– Utility boxes, abandoned

tires, concrete power poles• Difficult to detect AHB in varied

nesting locations until colonies become large.

Subfloor of house

www.apianstingusa.com

BEE AWARE• Watch for bees flying fast and straight in

and out of any object or area.

• AHB will nest in the ground; in burrows, meter boxes, irrigation valve boxes, and electrical boxes.

• AHB will use any protected location or void to house their colony.

• Any place where you have seen a paper wasp nest could house an AHB colony.

Foraging Bees

Many bees does not always mean a hive is nearby, it could

just be a good food source.

Returning to the Hive

Meter and Valve Boxes

In Tucson, AZ they remove 3,000 colonies annually from

meter boxes alone.

Bee Colony Hidden in Vegetation Ran This

Worker Off His Equipment

Abandoned Tires

Roadside Debris and Dumps

Boardwalks and Ramps

Culverts and Bridges

Look in Trees Before Cutting or Pruning

Base of a Coconut Palm

Buttress Trunk of Tree

Hollow Trees

Wildlife Nest Boxes

Electrical Equipment

Hive in an Old Gas Tank

Watch out for any debris that contains a useable void.

Surprise AHB Nesting Site

Differences between AHB and EHB

Number of Feral Colonies

• AHB’s increase number of feral honey bee colonies in area.

• Greater need to control defensive bees in “natural” and “urban” areas.

Stronger Brood Production

Faster Colony Growth

AHB Choice of Smaller Colony Locations More Frequent

Swarming and Absconding

Many More Feral Colonies = More Danger of Contact

Feral Colonies• EHB may have ≈10 feral colonies per

sq. mile (usually less).• AHB may have up to 300 feral

colonies per sq. mile = 640 acres.• That is one feral AHB colonies for every

2.1 acres.• In my neighborhood, that means I have a

1 in 9 chance of getting AHB on my property this year.

Differences between AHB and EHB

Aggressive Hive Defense and Stinging

• AHB respond quicker and in larger numbers when colony is threatened.

• AHB remains agitated longer than EHB.• Perturbing an AHB colony results in 6-

10 times more stings than EHB.• Nests can be dangerous if not removed. • Improper removal is dangerous for

neighbors and bystanders.

Danger Zones

150 ft150 yds.

Putting AHB Into Perspective• AHB are more aggressive than EHB.

• AHB swarm more and produce more feral colonies.

• AHB nest in more and smaller spaces than EHB.

• In terms of Aggressive Defense of the colony and potential number of stings, AHB are comparable to our native yellow jackets or bald faced hornets.

At-Risk Groups• People likely to interact with

bees– Outdoor workers

• Landscapers• Surveyors • Utility workers• Land clearing equipment

operators– Military during training– Sports enthusiasts– Rescue personnel

At-Risk Groups

• These people are at greater risk from encounters with feral AHB colonies because they are less able to escape the situation.

• Small Children

• Elderly

• Handicapped

At-Risk Groups

• Animals at risk–Tethered or restrained

animals.–Penned, caged, or

corralled. –Horses and bees don’t

mix.

Examine or check areas before entry

• Schools and playgrounds

• Recreation and training areas

• Areas prior to use of lawnmowers, chain saws, weed-eaters, and large motorized equipment.

• Livestock areas

• Home landscapes

• Cone style trap is made from recycled wood pulp • Lures used to attract bees into swarm traps or hive

Swarm trapSwarm lure

www.beeequipment.com

What do you do if you disturb an AHB colony?

• Run, Run, then Run some more!• Get inside a closed vehicle or

structure.– The 10 bees that come inside with you

are much less dangerous then the 3,000 waiting outside.

• Do not jump into a pool or pond.– They can wait longer than you can.

Legal Disclaimer

• The use of any product names is for illustrative and educational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement, guarantee, or liability by the University of Florida, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Personal Protection Equipment

www.stingshield.com

www.bugtamer.com

Never Use Wasp and Hornet Spray on Bees

Swarm on a Building

OOPS! You Will Get Stung!

Seek Emergency Care Immediately

• If stung by and insect and you develop any of these symptoms. These symptoms indicate an allergic reaction:– Large areas of swelling – Abnormal breathing – Tightness in throat or chest – Dizziness – Hives – Fainting – Nausea or vomiting – Persistent pain or swelling

First Aid• Bees leave behind a

stinger attached to a venom sac. Do not try to pull it out, as this may release more venom. Gently scrape it out with a blunt-edged object, such as a fingernail, credit card, or dull knife. Wash the area with soap and water.

www.pennhealth.com/ ency/article/000033.htm

First Aid

• Apply a cold or ice pack, wrapped in cloth for a few minutes. Apply a paste of baking soda and water and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, or dab on a bit of household ammonia. Take acetaminophen for pain.– HealthDayNews - ScoutNews LLC

What you can do to protect yourself, family and pets.

• Inspect your property regularly for large numbers of bees and colonies.

• If feral colonies are found, have them destroyed by trained Pest Management Professionals who are knowledgeable about AHB.

• Disturbing a defensive colony by untrained personnel could endanger people and pets up to 150 yds away from the colony.