Africanized honey bees, also known as “killer bees”, are an invasive species that can be extremely aggressive and dangerous if provoked. Originally from Africa, they were introduced to Brazil in the 1950s and have since spread northward into the southern United States. While not yet established in all states, their proliferation is concerning for homeowners, beekeepers, and the general public. Luckily, there are ways to prevent encounters with these bees and remove problematic colonies if they do become established on your property.
What Makes Africanized Honey Bees So Aggressive?
Africanized honey bees are actually a hybrid of the southern African honey bee Apis mellifera scutellata and various European honey bee species. They exhibit traits that are more similar to their African ancestors, including:
- Faster reproduction and growth of colonies
- More frequent swarming and absconding
- Greater defensiveness and tendency to mass attack perceived threats
Unlike European honey bees which only sting when their hive is disturbed Africanized bees will vigorously defend a larger radius around their nest. They are also more easily agitated by nearby movement and noises. Their venom is no more potent than other honey bees but their intense defensive behaviors lead to more frequent and severe stinging incidents.
How to Prevent Africanized Honey Bees on Your Property
The best defense is a good offense. Removing or blocking potential nesting sites around your yard and house reduces your risk of encountering AHBs at home. In order to “bee-proof” a building, remove all potential nesting sites. From March to July (swarming season) inspect your property weekly for unusual bee activity.
Specific prevention tips include:
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Seal any gaps, holes, or crevices in walls, roofs, attics, and crawl spaces with caulk, expandable foam, or wire mesh. Bees can enter spaces as small as 1/8 inch wide.
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Inspect water meters, electrical boxes, sheds, and other structures for small gaps that could provide access.
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Get rid of clutter like old tires, buckets, or wood piles that create cavities for nests.
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Remove overturned clay pots, tin cans, and containers that collect rainwater.
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Trim back trees and vegetation that touch or overhang your home’s roof and siding.
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Have pets live indoors or in screened, enclosed runs rather than tied up outside.
What to Do if You Find an Africanized Colony
If you spot a large number of bees clustered together or flying in and out of a small space, you may have an Africanized colony nearby. Stay calm and keep your distance, as the bees will become more defensive if they feel threatened. Never approach or disturb a nest yourself! Call a licensed pest control company to assess if they are Africanized honey bees and remove the colony safely. They may send samples to diagnostic labs to confirm.
To fully remove the nest, walls or siding may need to be dismantled and the honeycomb taken out. Otherwise, decaying honey and wax can damage the structure. The longer you wait, the larger the nest may grow. If you experience multiple stings or go into shock, call 911 immediately.
Safe Ways to Eliminate Established Colonies
While prevention is ideal, you may find yourself facing an Africanized colony that needs removal from your property. Here are some safe methods:
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Soapy water – Spraying a fine mist of soapy water directly onto bees is effective and eco-friendly. The soap distorts the surface tension of the water, causing the bees to drown.
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Bee vacuums – Specialized vacuums with internal mesh screens can suction up bees without damaging them. The bees can then be safely re-released away from people.
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CO2 fumigation – Dry ice releases carbon dioxide gas which humanely euthanizes bees. Place it on top of the nest and seal gaps so the heavier gas permeates the colony.
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Insecticidal dusts – Products like Comet®, Drione®, or diatomaceous earth can be puffed into the nest opening using a dust blower. Avoid liquid sprays which disperse angry bees.
Regardless of method, have emergency medical supplies like epinephrine auto-injectors on hand in case of allergic reactions to stings. Never attempt to kill bees with harmful chemicals, gasoline, or fire.
Tips for Beekeepers Dealing with Africanized Bees
Beekeepers have an important role to play in monitoring for Africanized colonies. Since AHBs do not live in managed hives, keeping European honey bee colonies can help limit the spread. But beekeepers should remain vigilant:
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Inspect hives frequently for unusual defensiveness or swarming.
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Re-queen aggressive colonies after isolating and testing bees.
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Ensure stored equipment has no gaps for swarms to enter and colonize.
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Tag all queens for easy identification.
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Monitor for parasitic takeovers where usurping AHBs invade existing hives.
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Educate the public on being safe around managed hives.
Protecting Pets and Livestock
Pets confined outdoors are vulnerable to mass attacks. Bring pets indoors or keep them in screened enclosures rather than tied up outside. You can also:
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Keep chickens, rabbits, and other outdoor animals behind secure fencing or mesh screening.
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Remove attractants like open feeders, water dishes, and manure that draw bees.
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Provide shelter they can escape into, like goat sheds or dog houses.
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Check animals frequently for bee stings and call a veterinarian if needed.
Stay Vigilant against Africanized Bees
While concerning, Africanized bees can be prevented and controlled with vigilant monitoring and exclusion of nest sites. Their aggressiveness makes professional removal the safest option if colonies persist. With proper precautions, we can manage these invasive insects and allow our communities to coexist with them safely.
Determine If The Bees Need to Be Removed
Africanized honey bees are slightly smaller than their European counterparts. Their golden-brown color, thin fur covering their bodies, and bulbous, striped tails make them easy to spot. Even though they look the same, a trained eye is usually needed to tell the difference between a harmless honey bee and a dangerous killer bee.
Eliminating Bees Naturally or With Pesticide Sprays (DIY)
Make sure you’re completely covered if you decide to tackle your bee problem on your own. You will need to cover all exposed parts of your body to protect yourself from stings. To keep from getting stung, wear thick, long-sleeved clothes with work boots, gloves, and eye and face protection. Getting stung multiple times can be fatal, so don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk.
- The venom of killer bees is not stronger than that of common honey bees, but they tend to swarm in huge groups and are much easier to scare.
- When getting ready to attack a killer bee nest, don’t wear strong scents or make a lot of noise. Strange things may get their attention and make them swarm.
Remove the comb. If you’ve managed to locate the nest, you’re going to want to remove and destroy the comb. Most honey bees that were brought to North America build their nests in normal, enclosed spaces. Inside, they build “combs,” which are networks of fibers where they live, reproduce, and make honey. The comb can be thrown away, crushed, or burned after most of the bees around the nest have been killed. The beehive can be taken down with a pressure washer from a safe distance or from a place that is hard to get to.
Pest Control : How to Get Rid of Bees
FAQ
What kills Africanized honey bees?
How do you keep africanized bees away?
How do you get rid of aggressive bees?
What do you do if you see an Africanized Honey Bee?
Do Africanized honey bees sting?
Africanized honey bees can be a public health concern because they are more likely to sting than “typical” honey bees. Like their European counterparts, however, Africanized honey bees will usually become defensive only when provoked or guarding their nest. Thus to prevent stings from honey bees, it is important to do two things.
Are Africanized honey bees aggressive?
Although they are often referred to as killer bees, the correct term is Africanized honey bees. Another common mistake is describing them as aggressive. Their behavior is actually defensive – they react to human invasion of their environment and defend themselves/their nest when necessary.
Are Africanized honey bees dangerous?
For the past 50 years, the Africanized honey bee (sometimes referred to as the “killer” bee by sensationalist media stories) has been a public health concern in South and North America. Initially imported to Brazil in the mid-1950s, this invasive species spread northward into the United States by the early 1990s.
Are African honey bees defensive?
Defensive response of Africanized honey bees is more rapid, intense, and involves a greater proportion of the colony population. A study of honey bees in Africa suggests that African bees (A. m. scutellata) have a lower threshold for defensive response and react more intensely, faster, and in larger numbers (Schneider and McNally 1992).
How do you get away from a killer bee swarm?
Run until the killer bees stop chasing you. The best way to get away from killer bees is to run as fast as you possibly can away from the swarm. Run in a straight line as quickly as you can, away from the swarming killer bees. Continue to run for at least 100 yards (300 ft) or until the bees stop chasing you. Cover your head and face.
How do I get rid of feral honey bees in Florida?
Seal all gaps larger than 1/8-inch in walls and around chimneys and plumbing. If you do find bees nesting on your property, contact your county Extension agent, or a certified pest control operator or live bee removalist. A large percentage of feral honey bee colonies in southern Florida are AHBs.