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Understanding Africanized Bees: Behavior, Risks, and Safety Precautions

This guide provides crucial insights into Africanized honey bees (AHBs), known for their aggressive behavior and rapid reproduction. It compares them with European honey bees (EHBs) and explains why Africanized bees thrive in varied environments. Emphasis is placed on their nesting behavior, swarming tendencies, and defense mechanisms, highlighting the increased risk of stings. Strategies for beekeeper safety and public education on AHB risks are discussed, including precautions for individuals in areas where AHBs are present. Stay informed to ensure safety around these industrious pollinators.

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Understanding Africanized Bees: Behavior, Risks, and Safety Precautions

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  1. Living with Africanized Bees Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, omalleym@ufl.edu Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology, jdellis@ufl.edu Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director, asn@ufl.edu

  2. Apis mellifera spp.

  3. Apis mellifera spp. 1950’s

  4. Southern Distribution of AHB As of March 2008 USDA

  5. Florida Counties to officially confirm AHB presence as of March 2008 USDA / FDACS-DPI

  6. FDACS – DPI

  7. More Bees (like the ‘good old days’) Photo: K. S. Delaplane

  8. More Bees (like the ‘good old days’) Figures out of South America suggest 100-200 feral colonies per square mile in areas where AHB occur UF/IFAS

  9. Why African bees are so successful: • Drone abundance • Nest usurpation and queen take-over • Dominance of African alleles • African bee swarming tendencies and reproductive superiority • Pest resistance Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: G.W. Hayes Photo: HBREL Photo: www.sxc.hu

  10. African Bee European Bee Photo: Sean McCann Despite this, the average person cannot tell a difference!

  11. Photo: G.Kastberger

  12. Differences between AHB and EHB Hive Defense and Stinging • AHB responds quicker and in larger numbers when colony is threatened. • AHB remains agitated longer than EHB • Disturbing an AHB colony can result in 6-10 times more stings than EHB • Feral nests located near people are more dangerous if not removed • Improper removal is dangerous for neighbors and bystanders

  13. EHBs Show Little Defensiveness UF/IFAS

  14. Defensive AHB colony UF/IFAS

  15. Stinger Density UF/IFAS

  16. Their behavior is extremely variable. Photo: A. Ellis Photo: USDA Photo: A. Ellis

  17. Differences between AHB and EHBExcessive Swarming • Swarming involves honey bee reproduction at the colony level • About 60% of the bees leave colony with queen to establish new colony • Bees left behind rear new queen and remain a functioning colony • AHBs swarm more frequently than the EHBs • EHB colonies swarm 1-2 times/year • AHB colonies can swarm 10+ times/yr • AHB swarm is smaller than EHB swarm • Some aren't much larger than a coffee cup. • 300 AHB swarms per square mile in Central America

  18. Differences between AHB and EHB Selection of Nesting Site • EHBs are discriminating in selecting nest sites. • Large hollow cavities (about 10 gallons in size) • Above ground, clean, and dry voids • protected • AHBs nest almost anywhere • Smaller, closer to the ground • Underground • Exposed nests in tree branches or elsewhere • Difficult to detect AHB in varied nesting locations until too late

  19. Q: Where do they nest?

  20. A: Everywhere! Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr. Photo: J. D. Ellis Photo: J.D. Ellis Photo: J. D. Ellis

  21. Photo: Insect IQ

  22. http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/agri-ahb.htm Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr. Photo: Insect IQ Photo: Insect IQ

  23. In summary, common nesting sites of AHB include: • Abandoned vehicles • Empty containers • Places & objects with holes • Fences • Lumber piles • Manholes • Water meters • Utility infrastructures • Old tires • Trees • Garages • Outbuildings • Sheds • Walls • Chimneys • Playground equipment, etc. Florida Dept. Ag.

  24. Effects on Florida Agriculture Industry Beekeepers Everyone else

  25. Beekeeper Considerations Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: UF / IFAS single hive stands Photo: HBREL Jumbo smokers and copious amounts of smoke! Genetic Selection White faced veils Education

  26. Negative impacts on beekeeping • Frequent requeening with marked queens from non-Africanized areas • Loss of apiary locations • Resource competition • (less honey) • Loss of pollination contracts • Fewer hobbyists Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: www.sxc.hu • LIABILITY (from having and removing bees) • Lower profit margin

  27. Other Agriculture Considerations: Livestock Photo: www.sxc.hu

  28. Pollination (and therefore food!) Photo: www.sxc.hu

  29. Food Prices?!?!

  30. At-Risk Groups • Animals at risk • Tethered or restrained animals. • Penned, caged, or corralled. • Horses and bees don’t mix. Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: www.sxc.hu

  31. Tractor operators and other farm workers must remain alert Photo: www.sxc.hu

  32. The elderly and youth tend to be most affected by AHB: In both instances, education is the key to preventing dangerous situations.

  33. Precautions for the public • Use caution as for snakes/ants • Never approach hive equipment • Never disturb a swarm Photo: www.sxc.hu • Tractor operators take care Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr. Photo: Sean McCann Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: Insect IQ • Be aware of buzzing insect activity at all locations • Examine suspect areas before entering or disturbing • Be alert in all outdoor situations (hunting, hiking, working, picnicking, etc.) • Teach respect and caution of bees

  34. ‘Bee-proofing’ your schools, public facilities, homes, tourist sites, etc. • Remove all potential nesting sites (garbage, tires, and other debris) • From March-July (swarming season), inspect property weekly for the presence of unusual bee activity • Inspect outside walls and eves of your structures • Seal openings greater than 1/8-inch in walls, around chimneys, plumbing, and other openings by installing screens (1/8-inch hardware cloth) over such openings (rain spouts, vents, cavities of trees and fence posts, water meter/utility boxes, etc.)

  35. During a stinging emergency: • Do not stay in place and swat at bees (this always leads to more stings) • Do not hide in water or thick underbrush (it may take bees 30+ minutes to calm down or leave an area – remember their colony is likely close) • Do not attempt to remove swarm yourself • Seek shelter (building, vehicle, etc.) • Call 911 • Do not attempt a rescue

  36. And above all else…RUN

  37. Photo: Zach Huang

  38. The AFBEE Program • African honey Bee Extension & Education • Partnership between • University of Florida • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services “Educate every Florida citizen and visitor about the presence of and living with AHBs”

  39. The Websitehttp://www.AFBEE.com

  40. If you have any AHB-related questions, call Jamie Ellis: UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology: 352-392-1901 ext: 130 – jdellis@ufl.edu or Jerry Hayes: Florida DPI: 352-372-3505 ext:128http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/ahb.html or Visit the AFBEE Program website http://www.AFBEE.com

  41. © 2007 University of Florida Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator (omalleym@ufl.edu) Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology (jdellis@ufl.edu) Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director (asn@ufl.edu ) Photos used by permission: Insect IQ William H. Kern, Jr. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Zach Huang www.sxc.hu--stock photography USDA UF/IFAS Michael K. O’Malley Keith S. Delaplane Amanda Ellis Jamie Ellis G. Kastberger Sean McCann

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