Africanized Honey Bees What You Need to Know 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 Honeybee Finds in Florida

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 – Sarasota, Sarasota – Homeowner stung. 10 Oct – Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie – City worker stung while reading water meter.

Recorded Stinging Incidences 13 Oct – Moore Haven, Glades – Man and women mowing grass were stung. City workers stung. 18 Oct – Englewood, Sarasota – Dog stung to death. 27 Oct – Ft. Myers, Lee – People stung at RV park, one hospitalized. Nov – Miami Gardens, Dade – Two dogs killed, owner sent to hospital, First responders and media stung.

Recorded Stinging Incidences 1 Dec – 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 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 production Willie 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

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 yrs 1-3 yrs Worker Drone ________________________________________________________________ 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.

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. ency/article/ htm

Questions?

CREDITS: Dr. William Kern University of Florida Entomology & Nematology and Florida Dept. Of Agriculture And Consumer Services