Bee Awareness

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How They Are Recognized
Many people expect AHB (Africanized Honey Bees) to be larger and very distinctive, but in fact they look nearly identical to the (EHB) honey bees we have long had in California.

Honey bees are about 3/4 inch long, brownish, and a little fuzzy. Their nests are normally hidden in cavities. Less fuzzy insects with bright yellow and black markings, or with grey paper nests are probably wasps, not bees. Larger bees are not honey bees.

AHB can be distinguished from EHB by measurements under a microscope, and by analysis of their DNA. The California Department of Agriculture identifies Africanized bees as they enter new areas. After an area is well colonized, though, it is assumed that all honey bees not under the care of a beekeeper should be treated as Africanized bees.

Beekeepers will continue to keep European honey bees in their hives (the familiar white boxes) so these are not a threat if well maintained. In fact, EHB provide the best defense against AHB, by providing competition, and genetic dilution since new AHB queens may mate with EHB males.

Bee Swarm

Problems They Cause

Swarming and nesting:

Africanized bee colonies are likely to be more common than European bees have been, and they swarm more frequently. They nest in places European bees did not, including small cavities near the ground like water meter boxes or overturned flower pots.

Stinging:

Africanized bees defend their colonies much more vigorously than do European bees. The colonies are easily disturbed (sometimes just by being nearby). When they do sting, many more bees may participate, so there is a danger of receiving more stings. This can make them life threatening, especially to people allergic to stings, or with limited capacity to escape(the young, old, and handicapped), and to confined livestock or pets. Once disturbed AHB will continue the attack for a long distance.

What You Can Do

Most people will probably never see a colony of Africanized bees. However, the following things may reduce the impact these bees may have on you.

Bee Proofing: Look for cracks and holes in your house that might lead to wall voids or other cavities a colony could occupy. Screen or caulk these holes, or fill the cavity with insulation, and bees will not move in. Clean up debris (tires, pots) that might provide nesting sites on your property.

Be alert:  Look before disturbing vegetation. Many bees coming and going from a single spot (not just many bees at flowers) may indicate a nest.

Get help: Contact trained and equipped personnel (see “bee removal” in the Yellow Pages) if you discover a honey bee colony. Don’t try to remove them alone.

If stung: First, get away, run to shelter of a car or building, and stay there even if some bees come in with you (there are more outside). Do not jump in water (bees will still be in the area when you come up). Once safe, remove stings from your skin, it does not matter how you do it, as quickly as possible to reduce the amount of venom they inject.

Bee Keeper Suit

Africanized Bee Facts

 

Deaths in US from AHB Stings

No.WhenWhereWhoHow
1August, 1993Texas82-yr-old man40 stings
2June, 1994Texas98-yr-old man50 stings
3October, 1995Phoenix AZ88-yr-old woman1000 stings
4October, 1995Phoenix AZ66-yr-old man66 stings
5April, 1997Casa Grande, AZ72 yr-old man?
6September 1999Long Beach CA83 yr-old man~50 stings

 

First Discovery of Africanized Bees By State

StateDate
TexasOctober 1990
New MexicoOctober 1993
ArizonaJune 1993
CaliforniaOctober 1994
NevadaApril 1999