§There
are hundreds of species of bees in the
world
§The
race we have been accustomed to are
known as: European Honey Bees (EHB)
§Killer
Bees are known as African Honey Bees (AHB)
§Africanized
Honey Bees are a HYBRID of these two
species
§Brought
to Brazil in the 1950’s
§Purpose
was to create a better honey
producer in this tropical area
§Many
escaped and over the next four
decades started creating very
large colonies in the tropics &
subtropics of America
What the
AHB’s are known for:
§They
defend their
queen and nest
more intensely
than European
Honey Bees
§They
sense danger
very fast even
when people or
animals are 50
to 100 feet away
§AHB’s
will chase an
enemy up to a
mile or more
§AHB’s
are more
violent, swarm
more often and
are less
predictable than
EHB’s
§They
also mature
faster and the
queen lays more
eggs than the
EHB’s
What you should
be aware of
§AHB’s
tend to
nest in
unexpected
places
-
Removal
of the
Honey
Comb is
a very
important
part
after
the
Africanized
bees
have
been
extinguished.
Or else
it will
attract
Hive
Beetles,
Ants,
and
other
bees
looking
for a
new
nest.
§There
is an
increasing
rate of
stinging
incidents
of
humans
and
animals
due to
their
aggressive
behavior
§Educate
others
of the
intense
threat
of AHB’S
§Any
nest
that are
close to
residences
or
domestic
animals
should
be
destroyed
§Peak
swarming
season
is
Spring
through
Fall
§Be cautious if you hear buzzing, there could be a swarm near by
§If so, do not start power equipment or try to disturb a swarm of bees
§Get away from swarms as quickly as possible
§Protect your eyes and face
§Take shelter in an enclosed area, do not jump into water or a pool, the bees will wait for you to surface
§Do not stand still and swat, this will cause them to sting and be more aggressive
