Africanized Honey BeesWhat You Need to Know

Lt. Dave Langston

Lt. Dave Langston

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.

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

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.

We Need Bees

• Bees are the major pollinators

• With out bees drastic crop reductions

Native Range of AHB

1957

History

• Africanized bees enter Florida.

• AHB entered state at ports of Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami.

• Container ships most likely carriers.

2002 African 2002 African Honeybee Honeybee Finds in Finds in FloridaFlorida

Mobile,AL

2003 African Honeybee Finds in Florida

Mobile,AL

2004 African Honeybee Finds in Florida

Mobile,AL

2005 African Honeybee Finds in Florida

Recorded Stinging Incidences• 5 May 2005 LaBelle, Hendry – horse stung to

death.

• 10 June 2005 – Tampa, Hillsborough – homeowner stung.

• 13 June 2005 – Stuart, martin – AHB entered beekeeping equipment and became defensive.

• 29 June 2005 – Bokeela, lee – homeowner stung.

Recorded Stinging Incidences• 19 July 2005 – Naples, Collier – Homeowner

stung.

• 19 July 2005 – Boca Raton, Palm Beach – Bulldozer operator attacked.

• 26 Sept. 2005 – Sarasota, Sarasota – Homeowner stung.

• 10 Oct. 2005 – Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie – City worker stung while reading water meter.

Recorded Stinging Incidences• 13 Oct. 2005 – Moore Haven, Glades – Man

and women mowing grass were stung. City workers stung.

• 18 Oct. 2005 – Englewood, Sarasota – Dog stung to death.

• 27 Oct. 2005 – Ft. Myers, Lee – People stung at RV park, one hospitalized.

• Nov. 2005 – Miami Gardens, Dade – Two dogs killed, owner sent to hospital, First responders and media stung.

Recorded Stinging Incidences

• 1 Dec. 2005 – Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie – City worker stung while reading water meter.

• 14 April 2006 – Boca Raton, Palm Beach – Goats and sheep killed, owners hospitalized.

• 5 May 2006 – LaBelle, Hendry – Swarm in a tree stung a child.

Recorded Stinging Incidences• 10 July 2006 – West Palm Beach, Palm Beach

– Homeowner stung 20 times, 4 dogs killed (2 adults, 2 puppies), 2 puppies injured.

Recorded Stinging Incidences

• 19 July 2006, Zellwood, Orange – children stung by colony under base of tree.

• 21 July 2006, Ft. Meyers, Lee – man stung and hospitalized.

• December 2006, Ft. Lauderdale 3 people stung.

Recorded Stinging Incidences

• January 2007, Miami family stung.

• Feb 22 2007 Ft. Pierce bulldozer operator 20 stings.

• March 2007 First Confirmed hive in Osceola County.

• July 2007 Large Hive Poinciana

Predictions• AHB will be found in every Florida county

within 4 years.

• The number of beekeepers in Florida will decrease by 25% in those four years.

• The number of problem feral honey bee colonies will increase dramatically.

• The number of stinging incidents will increase proportionally to the number of feral colonies.

Africanized Honey Bees

30 yards. (m)

10 Times As Far and 10 Times As Many

300 yards. 100 (m)

EHB

AHB

Swarms Are Not Defensive

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.

Swarm

Differences between AHB and EHB

Excessive Swarming • AHB swarms more frequently than the

EHB.

– EHB colony swarms every 1-2 yrs.

– AHB colony swarms 4-18 times/yr

• Continuous monitoring is required to detect small swarms and newly established colonies.

European Honey Bee

Swarm

AHB swarms are smaller than EHB swarm.

• Some AHB swarms aren't much larger than a coffee cup.

• Swarming reduces the number of bees in a colony,

• reduces work force• diminished honey

productionWillie The Bee Man, Inc.

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 colonies require elimination.

Evidence of Absconding From an Exposed Nest

Swarm on a Building

OOPS!

Bee Colonies as Pests

• Bee colonies – Established colonies defend nests.– Don’t cause problems until provoked.– Colony elimination needed to prevent

interaction with man / animals.

Willie The Bee Man, Inc.

Colony Removal

• Only experienced persons with protective equipment should attempt to remove or eliminate bee colonies. – Improper removal can cause bees to

attack bystanders. – Numerous insecticides are approved for

use on bees.– Soapy water doesn't work effectively on a

colony because honey comb prevents adequate coverage. Foam does work.

Differences Between AHB and EHB

Number of Feral Colonies

• A.H.Bs increase number of feral honey bee colonies in area.

• This creates a greater need to control aggressive bees in the natural and urban areas.

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.

Differences between AHB and EHB

Selection of Nesting Site

• AHBs nest any protected place – Smaller, closer to the

ground • Difficult to detect AHB in

varied nesting locations until too late

Subfloor of house

www.apianstingusa.com

Aerial Nest in Tree

New Port Richey, FL

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.

________________________________________________________________Developmental Time Longevity (days) (days) ___________________ _____________________

CAST AHB EHB AHB EHB________________________________________________________________

Queen 15 16 1-3 yrs 1-3 yrs

Worker 18.5 21 15-140 12-90

Drone 24 24 21-43 20-37________________________________________________________________

Differences between AHB and EHB

Life Cycle

Differences Between AHB and EHB

Aggressive Hive Defense and Stinging• AHB responds 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 are dangerous if not removed. • Improper removal is dangerous for

neighbors and bystanders.

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

Bee Inspection

• Single bees do not indicate established colonies• Established colonies

– Large numbers of bees entering or hovering in front of an opening

– Listen for the hum of active insects• Inspect low for colonies in or at ground level• Inspect high for colonies under eaves or in attics

Willie The Bee Man, Inc.

Bee Proofing • Africanized honey bees nest in a wide variety of locations

– Need openings >1/8 inch– Cavity behind the opening for a nest

• Eliminate shelter– Caulk cracks in walls, foundation, and roof– Fill or screen holes >1/8-inch in trees, structures, or

block walls– Screen attic vents, irrigation boxes, and water meter

box holes– Remove trash or debris that might shelter honey bees– Fill or cover animal burrows– Tight fitting window screens – Close shed doors tightly and keep in good repair

Hole leading to cavity

Aerial nest in tree

Insect IQ, Inc.

Aerial/void nest

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Hive

Nest removal

Insect IQ, Inc.

Hive

Medical Treatment

• 100 stings per pound of body weight is potentially fatal in a normal adult

• 10 stings per pound of body weight is potentially fatal in a child

• Anaphylaxis can have a rapid onset in sensitive persons

Medical Treatment• 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

Questions?

CREDITS: Dr. William Kern University

of FloridaEntomology & Nematology

andFlorida Dept. Of Agriculture And

Consumer Services