Africanized Honey Bees have become established in Florida. Since their first identification in 2002, Africanized bees have become established in South Florida, West Central Florida and in pockets throughout North Florida. As these bees, also known as "killer bees," become more common in Florida, the public will need a better understanding of the facts about Africanized honey bees. While they are a bit more dangerous than European bees, a little knowledge and common sense will go a long way toward ensuring everyone's safety.
Although African bees have been called aggressive, their reactions are actually defensive in nature. Compared to European honey bees, they swarm in defense in larger numbers, they defend a much larger territory, and they chase intruders much further. Regular honey bees may chase you about 50 yards, while Africanized bees will continue chasing for 150-200 yards or more. Unsuspecting animals and humans may be caught by surprise and seriously hurt by killer bees.
European bees have fuzz-covered bodies with black rings on their abdomen - just like killer bees. Although they are just a bit smaller, Africanized honey bees look identical to European bees. Even experts can't tell the difference visually. There are only 2 ways to distinguish - take 25 different body measurements or do a genetic analysis. The best advice on avoiding African bees is to avoid all bees.
European bees and Africanized bees prefer different types of nesting locations. Smaller nesting locations are preferred by African honey bees because they have smaller colonies. So they end up nesting in places like water meter boxes, inside cement blocks, larger flower pots and cavities in the ground that European bee colonies would not normally use. Unfortunately, many of these locations are provided for killer bees by humans and explain why encounters between African bees and people are more frequent than for regular bees.
Honey bees in the United States produce about $150 million worth of honey annually. The Florida honey industry is ranked in the top five nationally with an annual worth of more than $13 million. Around $150 is generated in bee pollination services for every dollar of honey produced in Florida. Farmers depend on pollination by honeybees to the tune of an estimated $14 billion annually in the U.S. according to a recent study.
Experts tell us that it would take between 5 and 10 stings per pound of body weight for a healthy person to receive a deadly dose of bee venom. That's between 750-1500 stings for a 150-pound person. Nearly everyone reacts in some way to stings. The normal reaction is to swell around the stung area. Less than 1 percent of the population has an allergy to bee stings.
To reduce the pain involved in a bee sting, treat them properly. Remove stingers quickly but carefully. Bee venom can continue to pump into the body for up to 10 minutes. Never pinch or squeeze a stinger to remove it as that could squirt more venom into the body. Instead, scrape them with a sideways movement using a credit card or knife blade.
To reduce the risk of encountering Africanized honey bees on your property, you must be proactive. Inspect your property, note all possible nesting sites, and then eliminate them one at a time. If it's an object that can be removed, then remove it. Otherwise block or seal up any openings. All gaps larger than 1/8 of an inch must be completely sealed. Larger openings like vents, tree cavities, or water meters, require the installation of screen over the openings.
Because Africanized bees are now well established in Florida, any wild colony of bees must be considered potential killer bees. The State of Florida is now recommending that certified pest control operators eliminate any wild bee hives found. Should you locate a colony of bees on your property, contact a certified pest control operator who has a bee removal expert on staff.
Although African bees have been called aggressive, their reactions are actually defensive in nature. Compared to European honey bees, they swarm in defense in larger numbers, they defend a much larger territory, and they chase intruders much further. Regular honey bees may chase you about 50 yards, while Africanized bees will continue chasing for 150-200 yards or more. Unsuspecting animals and humans may be caught by surprise and seriously hurt by killer bees.
European bees have fuzz-covered bodies with black rings on their abdomen - just like killer bees. Although they are just a bit smaller, Africanized honey bees look identical to European bees. Even experts can't tell the difference visually. There are only 2 ways to distinguish - take 25 different body measurements or do a genetic analysis. The best advice on avoiding African bees is to avoid all bees.
European bees and Africanized bees prefer different types of nesting locations. Smaller nesting locations are preferred by African honey bees because they have smaller colonies. So they end up nesting in places like water meter boxes, inside cement blocks, larger flower pots and cavities in the ground that European bee colonies would not normally use. Unfortunately, many of these locations are provided for killer bees by humans and explain why encounters between African bees and people are more frequent than for regular bees.
Honey bees in the United States produce about $150 million worth of honey annually. The Florida honey industry is ranked in the top five nationally with an annual worth of more than $13 million. Around $150 is generated in bee pollination services for every dollar of honey produced in Florida. Farmers depend on pollination by honeybees to the tune of an estimated $14 billion annually in the U.S. according to a recent study.
Experts tell us that it would take between 5 and 10 stings per pound of body weight for a healthy person to receive a deadly dose of bee venom. That's between 750-1500 stings for a 150-pound person. Nearly everyone reacts in some way to stings. The normal reaction is to swell around the stung area. Less than 1 percent of the population has an allergy to bee stings.
To reduce the pain involved in a bee sting, treat them properly. Remove stingers quickly but carefully. Bee venom can continue to pump into the body for up to 10 minutes. Never pinch or squeeze a stinger to remove it as that could squirt more venom into the body. Instead, scrape them with a sideways movement using a credit card or knife blade.
To reduce the risk of encountering Africanized honey bees on your property, you must be proactive. Inspect your property, note all possible nesting sites, and then eliminate them one at a time. If it's an object that can be removed, then remove it. Otherwise block or seal up any openings. All gaps larger than 1/8 of an inch must be completely sealed. Larger openings like vents, tree cavities, or water meters, require the installation of screen over the openings.
Because Africanized bees are now well established in Florida, any wild colony of bees must be considered potential killer bees. The State of Florida is now recommending that certified pest control operators eliminate any wild bee hives found. Should you locate a colony of bees on your property, contact a certified pest control operator who has a bee removal expert on staff.
About the Author:
Bee control is our specialty. If you have an unwelcome bee swarm, Florida Bug Inspectors can get remove the bee nest quickly and safely. FBI serves all areas of North Tampa including Carrollwood, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Temple Terrace, Thonotosassa, and Wesley Chapel.
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