# Presentation: 772719

## Africanized Honey Bees

- What 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.

**Notes:**
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.  Their (AHB) smaller size means they actually have a tiny bit less venom that EHB.
You can not tell an AHB from a EHB by looking at them, because the relative size difference is so small.  AHB look just like EHB in terms of color and appearance.

## 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.

**Notes:**
Foraging Honey bees whether Africanized or European will not attack you.  They are only interested in doing their job of collecting nectar and pollen to feed the colony.  Honey bees die after they sting once, so it is something they try to avoid.
Foragers will sting in defense if you step on them, or put your lips on one trying to steal a sip from your soda can.
Honey bees only become defensive when defending their hive or colony and this behavior is magnified with the Africanized Honey bee.  Where five or ten European honey bees will defend, up to half of the workers in an AHB colony will defend.  This is one of the most important differences between the gentle honey bees we grew up with and the Africanized variety.

## We Need Bees

- Bees are the major pollinators
- With out bees drastic crop reductions

## Slide 5

## Native Range of AHB

## 1957

**1957**

## Slide 8

## Slide 9

## 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

**Notes:**
2002 finds were restricted to major shipping ports and arrived as swarms coming off ships.

## 2003 African Honeybee Finds in Florida

- Mobile,AL

**Notes:**
In 2003 several more ports had interceptions and AHB were found at inland locations as well.

## 2004 African Honeybee Finds in Florida

- Mobile,AL

**Notes:**
2004 collections of AHB confirmed finds.

## 2005 African Honeybee Finds in Florida

- Mobile,AL

**Notes:**
In 2005 there was a very large number of AHB swarms or colonies identified in the first 6 months of the year.  It became obvious that AHB were now established 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

## 10 Times As Far and 10 Times As Many

**30 yards. (m)**

**10 Times As Far and ****10 Times As Many**

**300 yards. 100 (m)**

**EHB**

**AHB**

## Swarms Are Not Defensive

**Notes:**
This is a European Honey bee swarm.  Honey bee swarms are not aggressive because they don’t have any resources to defend.  When disturbed, the queen flies away and the swarm follows her.

## 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.

**Notes:**
Swarms are a way for HB colonies to divide when they get too large for the current hive or colony location
The old queen and half of the workers leave the old colony to found a new hive at a new location.
These bees are not defensive because they do not have resources (honey and brood) to defend.
Even Africanized honey 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.

**Notes:**
Excessive Swarming 
AHB swarms more frequently than the EHB.
EHB colony only swarm once every 1-2 yrs.
AHB colony swarms 4-8 times per year
Continuous monitoring and inspection of potential feral colony site is required to detect these small swarms and newly established colonies before they get too large or well established and become dangerously defensive.

## European Honey Bee Swarm

**Notes:**
This is an example of a European honey bee swarm that was located about 12 ft. above the ground in a longleaf pine tree.  

## 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**.**

**Notes:**
AHB swarms are generally smaller than a EHB swarm. 
Some AHB swarms aren't much larger than a coffee cup. They are generally smaller than a gallon of bees.
Swarming is undesirable in managed bee hives because it reduces the number of bees in a colony, so it reduces the work force and thereby diminished honey production.

## 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.

**Notes:**
Excessive Absconding
Absconding is relocation of the entire bee colony to new nest site
Absconding is common with the AHB, but rare with the EHB. 
Absconding results in loss of a managed colony and adds to the feral population that competes with managed bees for nectar and pollen.
Many relocated colonies take up residence in problematic locations that usually require elimination.

## Evidence of Absconding From an Exposed Nest

**Notes:**
Evidence of Absconding From an Exposed Nest
This was the result of a swarm landing on a protected palm frond and starting an exposed nest.  It is at this stage that Africanized honey bees start to be aggressively defensive.  The bees had started storing honey and pollen and the queen had probably started laying eggs.  This nest was found in Sept or early October 2005 between Hurricanes Rita and Wilma.  Rita probably convinced the queen that this site was too exposed and they left.

## 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**.**

## Differences between AHB and EHB

**	****	****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**
**________________________________________________________________**

- 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

**Notes:**
Outdoor workers include utility workers, meter readers, tree trimmers, landscapers, surveyors, construction crews, timber harvesters, and land clearing crews.
Military bases are very susceptible because they are close to ports and have structures that are used sporadically for training.
Rescue personnel may be asked to face aggressive AHB, such as if a car hits a tree or structure containing an AHB colony.  Proper training and equipment are essential.

## 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

**Notes:**
Small children, the elderly, and the physically disabled are at greater risk because they are less able to escape.  Children are also at risk due to their smaller body size.  Dangerous envenomation occurs after 5-10 stings / pound.  So a 20 lb. toddler would be in serious danger after only 100 stings, while a healthy adult could survive over 500 stings.

## At-Risk Groups

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

**Notes:**
Tethered or restrained animals.  Dogs chained outside have been killed in Florida and other states.
Penned, caged, or corralled.  Two caged lions were killed in a Nicaraguan Zoo by AHB because workers could not safely remove them from their cages.
Horses and bees don’t mix.  Houses react violently to being stung and they do not run away.  There whinnying and stomping tends to excite the bees even more.  At least one horse has been killed in Florida.

## 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

**Notes:**
Monitor or clear area before entry
Schools and playgrounds
Recreation and training areas
Users of lawnmowers, chain saws, weed-eaters
Domestic animals
Large motorized equipment
Homes

## 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.

## Slide 55

## Slide 56

## Slide 57

## Hive

## Slide 59

## 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**

**Notes:**
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 credit card or dull knife. Wash the area with soap and water. This should be done several times a day until the skin is healed.

## Questions?

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