Do I Have An Africanized Honey Bee Problem?
Honey bees that have been Africanized are slightly smaller than their European counterparts. Their golden-brown color, thin coat of fur on their bodies, and bulbous, striped tail sections set them apart. Despite their similar appearances, distinguishing between a normal honey bee and a dangerous killer bee usually requires an expert eye.
The average person would struggle to identify Africanized honey bees because they are virtually identical to common bees. Contact an expert bee removal technician if you are unsure of the bee species you are dealing with.
Learn More: Africanized Honey Bee FAQ
What’s The Difference Between Normal Bees And Africanized Bees?
Africanized honey bees resemble European honey bees in appearance. Without observing their behavior, it’s usually impossible to tell the two breeds apart. Regrettably, the only way to observe their behavior is to provoke aggression, which is not recommended. Call a bee control professional if you find bees on your property or in the home.
Are Africanized Bees Dangerous?
Killer bees (Africanized Honey Bees) are dangerous because they attack intruders in far greater numbers than European Honey Bees. Since their introduction, they have killed over 1,000 people, with victims receiving ten times the number of stings as victims of the European strain. They react ten times faster than European Honey Bees to disturbances and will chase a person for a quarter-mile.
Other concerns with Africanized Honey Bees include the impact on the $140 million honey industry and general pollination of orchards and field crops. Interbred European and Africanized honey bee colonies may differ in pollination efforts, be more aggressive, abandon the nest excessively, and die during the winter. Furthermore, beekeepers may not be able to continue producing honey if they are confronted with aggressive bees.
How Did Africanized Honey Bees End Up In North America?
In the 1950s, researchers brought African bees to Brazil in an attempt to boost the productivity of Brazilian bees. A sizeable wild population arose quickly and spread across South America, Central America, and Mexico (eventually spreading north to the United States).
The Africanized honey bee was first discovered in Texas in the 1990s and has since spread across the southwestern United States. In the Tampa Bay area in 2002, Florida had its first identification of an Africanized honey bee.
How To Removed An Africanized Bee Colony?
Local beekeepers and bee removal services are the best way to eradicate an Africanized beehive. Due to the dangerous nature of this species, we urge residents to stay away from these bees and contact professionals with safety equipment to eliminate them properly.