Africanized Honey Bees in Florida

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry

Africanized Honey Beesin Florida

Adam H. Putnam, CommissionerAdam H. Putnam, CommissionerWayne N. Dixon, Division DirectorWayne N. Dixon, Division Director


Bees evolved from wasps 80 million years ago

Spanish brought over first honeybee colonies in the 16th century

Dubbed “white man’s flies” by Native American tribes

History of Honey Bees


Florida Beekeeping Florida beekeeping

developed between 1872 and 1888

Reported in 1879 that most everyone in Daytona area kept several colonies

Apiaries began to be established all over state after 1888

1920 Florida held the world record for honey production


Florida Beekeeping Apiary inspection was

created by Legislative Act 1919

250,000 colonies maintained by registered beekeepers (last 3 years)

56,000 colonies inspected from 3,400 apiaries per year


First bred to create a honeybee better suited for tropical conditions

1957 - 26 African queen bees were accidentally released from breeding in Sao Paulo, Brazil

AHB - History


How Africanized honeybees entered Florida


Deep Water Ports of Florida

Florida has Florida has 14 deep 14 deep

water ports water ports


Spread of Africanized Honey Spread of Africanized Honey Bees from 1990 t0 2006Bees from 1990 t0 2006


Africanized honey beeshave arrived!

Now What?


AHB Finds in Florida

(estimate)

Percent of Finds

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007


Maintaining 500 bait traps throughout the state to intercept introduction of AHBs

Conducting analytical tests to determine AHBs genetics

Working w/multiple entities to educate/train

What is FDACS/DPI doing to prevent AHB’s

from entering Florida?


Cone style trap is made from recycled wood pulp

Lures used to attract bees into swarm traps or hives

SwarmSwarm trap trapSwarm lureSwarm lure

www.beeequipment.com


Swarms Are Not Aggressive


Facts About Swarms Swarms are a way colonies divide

when they get too large for their current hive location

The old queen and some of the workers leave the old colony to find a new colony at a new location.

Bees in swarms are not defensive because they do not have resources (honey and babies) to defend.


AHB Planning Collaboration and Training in Florida

Formed Africanized Bee Working Group

Devoting research funds to AHB Providing funds to the University of

Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for a “Train the Trainer” curriculum

Partnership with Florida State Beekeepers Association


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 cannot tell an AHB from a EHB by looking at them.


Three to four times as many bees respond to threat

10 times more stings per encounter compared to European honey bees

Defend wider area around nest compared to European honey bees

Can chase victims for ¼ mile

AHB - Behavior/Defensive Response


Attacks can result in numerous stings. Notice the number of stingers on the glove to the left.


At-Risk Groups People likely to interact with

bees Outdoor workers

Foresters and fire fighters Parks and recreation personnel Landscapers 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.


AHB Interactions in Florida 2008 - First human fatality resulting from AHB stings occurred in

Okeechobee County Horse killed in LaBelle (Lee County) Dog killed in Fort Myers (Lee County) Dogs killed in Miami Gardens (Miami-Dade County) – dogs’ owners

sent to hospital, firemen (first responders) injured City workers in Moore Haven (Glades County)

sent to hospital Farm worker in Brevard County injured Four dogs killed (Palm Beach County), property owner injured Many more reports of stinging incidents throughout state, primary

in South Florida

2008 interactions will only increase


What should you do to avoid

being stung?

What should you do if you are

being attacked by stinging

insects?


Bee Alert Check the

environment around your homes regularly for possible bee nesting sites – plug holes

Look for bees in work areas before using power equipment – noise excites bees


Hive in an Old Gas Tank


Surprise AHB Nesting Site


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 Secure window screens to fit tightly Close shed doors tightly and keep in good repair

Hole leading to cavity


Colony Removal Disturbing a defensive colony by

untrained personnel could endanger people and pets up to 150 yards away from colony.

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. Use foam. Soapy water doesn't work effectively on

a colony because honey comb prevents adequate coverage.


If attacked, cover your mouth and nose and run inside a building, vehicle or other enclosure

Don’t swat at bees – only makes them more defensive

Don’t jump in a pool – they’ll wait for you

If stung, scrape off the stinger with a fingernail or credit card

Call a pest control company to remove the hive

Seek medical attention if necessary Stinger in arm


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.


Bee Aware . . . Public Awareness Program

Challenge: Educate the public about potential

dangers of AHB, while at the same time stressing

the importance of managed honey bee

colonies to Florida agriculture


Interface/Educate/Train

Established Inter-Agency Working Group

Make presentations/ attend statewide conferences

Develop/distribute brochures, fact sheets, videos, PSAs, school curriculums


AHB Inter-Agency Working Group State agencies (public health,

emergency management, tourism, environmental services, Ag law, Forestry), industry representatives, University of Florida IFAS, ag officials from Georgia and Alabama

Mission: to share information and speak with one voice


AHB Inter-Agency Working Group Create/maintain Intranet Web site to

share information Develop easy-to-remember slogan for

responding to potential AHB attacks

Conduct statewide presentations to stakeholder groups


Managed colonies dilute AHB populations.

Prevent AHB takeover of European honeybee hives.

AHB are less likely attracted to areas where other foragers exist.

Importance of Managed Colonies in Mitigating AHB


Beekeepers are Valuable

European honey bees are the first and best deterrent against an area becoming Africanized.


Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t

Clear message works:

AHB’s are here and they are potentially dangerous . . .



Present concise information on what to do if attacked by stinging insects such as AHBs: Be aware of your surroundings

(look for bees, listen for buzzing) If attacked, run, seek shelter

inside Scrape off stingers Contact PCO to remove hive Seek medical attention if

necessary



People are interested in AHBs – getting their attention should be easy

Use existing communication tools to educate your audiences (newsletters, utility bill inserts, Web site links, etc.)

Encourage the public to be knowledgeable and prepared, not to panic

We can learn to live with AHBs as we have yellow jackets, fire ants, etc.



Greatest challenges: Getting the word out – interfacing

w/other entities Explaining the importance of

managed colonies (food does not originate at Publix)


Summary Africanized Honey Bees do not intentionally

try to hurt people. They are simply defending their territory. If people disturb the hive, or if a

hive is accidentally disturbed, the bees are likely to react adversely. Generally, the chances of being injured by any stinging insect are slim.


Summary

Being aware of your surroundings and taking simple precautions is the best defense

against Africanized honey bees.

With that in mind you still have to be aware of this potential threat and know how to react if

you encounter Africanized Bees as you would with any other natural threat such as

lightning, snakes or other biting/stinging insects.


FDACS/DPI Apiary Trivia

FDACS/DPI staff served as technical consultants on Ulee’s Gold (Peter Fonda’s Oscar-winning film)


FDACS/DPI HelplineFDACS/DPI Helpline888-397-1517888-397-1517

www.doacs.state.fl.uwww.doacs.state.fl.us/pis/pi




Thank you.



Africanized Honey Bees in Florida

Documents

Transcript of Africanized Honey Bees in Florida