1. Living with Africanized Honey Bees in the Outdoor Workplace. William H. Kern, Jr. Ft. Lauderdale REC

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Are These AHB?

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Swarms Are Not Aggressive

8. European Honey Bee Swarm

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Scouts Have Found a New Home and the Swarm Has Arrived

12. They Settle on the Outside and Then Move Inside the Void

13. 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.

14. Evidence of Absconding From an Exposed Nest

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Foraging Bees

20. Many bees does not always mean a hive is nearby, it could just be a good food source.

21. Returning to the Hive

22. Meter and Valve Boxes

23. In Tucson, AZ they remove 3,000 colonies annually from meter boxes alone.

24. Bee Colony Hidden in Vegetation Ran This Worker Off His Equipment

25. Abandoned Tires

26. Roadside Debris and Dumps

27. Boardwalks and Ramps

28. Culverts and Bridges

29. Look in Trees Before Cutting or Pruning

30. Base of a Coconut Palm

31. Buttress Trunk of Tree

32. Hollow Trees

33. Wildlife Nest Boxes

34. Electrical Equipment

35. Hive in an Old Gas Tank Watch out for any debris that contains a useable void.

36. Surprise AHB Nesting Site

37. 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.

38. 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

39. 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.

40. 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.

42. Danger Zones 150 ft 150 yds.

43. 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.

44. 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

45. 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

46. At-Risk Groups Animals at risk –Tethered or restrained animals. –Penned, caged, or corralled. –Horses and bees don’t mix.

47. 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

48. Cone style trap is made from recycled wood pulp Lures used to attract bees into swarm traps or hive Swarm trap Swarm lure www.beeequipment.com

49. 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.

50. 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.

51. Personal Protection Equipment www.stingshield.com www.bugtamer.com

52. Never Use Wasp and Hornet Spray on Bees

53. Swarm on a Building

54. OOPS! You Will Get Stung!

55. 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

56. 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

57. 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

58. 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.