Africanized Honey Bees
Taking responsibility to educate the public
The Florida Department of Soon after, they migrated to the
Agriculture and Consumer Services is southwest US. Africanized bees
the regulatory agency responsible for most likely entered Florida on
protecting the beekeeping or apiary cargo ships or shipments from
industry. Without the pollination Central and South America.
that managed European honey bee
colonies provide, 1/3rd of the food
we eat in Florida would disappear. Protection through Detection
Apiary inspection plays a
Without properly vital role in Florida Agriculture as
managed honey bee FDACS inspectors work to prevent
colonies, agricultural the introduction and establishment
productivity would suffer. of honey bee pests and diseases.
But there would be The Department has the most
another serious outcome – comprehensive state program (e.g.,
Africanized bees could number of inspectors and traps)
easily move into areas to prevent the further accidental
without managed colonies. introduction of unwanted Africanized
Though the Africanized bees. FDACS along with other
bee is established in stakeholders formed the Africanized
Florida, through education, Honey Bee Task Force to educate
trapping programs, and the first responders and other targeted
help of managed European groups on AHB emergencies. The
honey bee colonies, we Honey Bee Technical Council,
can attemp to keep Africanized bee establishled by Florida Statute, has
populations low. We can learn to live developed standards for requeening
with them, as we have learned to live colonies and recommended best
with other dangerous stinging insects management practices.
such as the imported fire ant, yellow
jackets and others. Apiary industry’s efforts
To discourage Africanized bees
Africanized bee history from nesting, beekeepers are:
Florida Department of African honey bees were brought Placing managed hives in public
Agriculture & Consumer Services to Brazil in the 1950’s for testing as parks and on private lands – if
Charles H. Bronson, possible alternatives to the gentle Africanized bees come into an area
Commissioner European honey bee because of to forage and don’t find adequate
their reputation of being hardy in food because of managed colonies in
Division of Plant Industry tropical environments. Some were the area, they will move on.
Richard Gaskalla, Director accidentally released, and then Requeening their colonies with
spread throughout South and Central EHB queens – this ensures hives do
www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi America, and Mexico. not become infiltrated with AHB
May 2006 queens.
BEE AWARE of your environment
Protect yourself from stinging insects
Treat stings
Find a safe area as soon as
possible.
Remove stinger by scraping it
out with a fingernail or credit
card; squeezing the stinger will
release more venom.
Wash affected area with soap
and water and apply ice pack.
See a doctor if breathing is
difficult, if you are stung several
times, or you are allergic to bee
stings.
Create a safe environment Avoid an attack Key Words/Acronyms
Teach children to use caution Prepare a safety plan for your
AHB - Africanized honey bees
and respect all bees and other home and work place. Apiary - pertaining to bees
insects. EHB - European honey bees
Meet with neighbors to Foraging - searching for food
Teach children to notify a increase community awareness Nests - established colony of
teacher or adult if they find a and preparedness. bees
nest or swarm. Pollination - transfer of pollen
Obtain bee sting kits (over-the- which results in the formation of
Eliminate potential nesting counter or prescription). a seed
sites. Requeening - replacing with
Remain alert for bees. Look for younger queens to increase
Check walls and eaves of bees in work areas before using production numbers or to en-
structures. power equipment sure the queen is not an AHB
Swarming - bee colony’s meth-
Close off wall, chimney and Walk away and stay away if od of reproducing itself. AHBs
plumbing-related gaps that are you see a swarm or nest. are not usually defensive during
more than 1/8” large. swarming because they are not
Run away in a straight line, defending an established nest.
Cover rain spouts, vents, etc. cover your face and eyes and
hide in a car or house if a bee
with 1/8” hardware cloth.
or swarm begins to chase you. FDACS/DPI Helpline
Watch for regular entrance and 888-397-1517
exit routes used by swarms Contact a local pest control
www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi
during spring, summer and fall. operator to remove the nest.