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 and Consumer Services to Brazil in the 1950’s for testing as parks and on private lands – if Adam H. Putnam possible alternatives to the gentle Africanized bees come into an area Commissioner European honey bee because of to forage and don’t find adequate Division of Plant Industry their reputation of being hardy in food because of managed colonies in Richard Gaskalla, Director tropical environments. Some were the area, they will move on. accidentally released, and then Requeening their colonies with spread throughout South and Central EHB queens – this ensures hives do www.freshfromflorida.com/PIDirectory America, and Mexico. not become infiltrated with AHB May 2011 queens. BEE AWARE of your environment Protect yourself from stinging insects Treat stings
l Find a safe area as soon as possible.
l Remove stinger by scraping it out with a fingernail or credit card; squeezing the stinger will release more venom.
l Wash affected area with soap and water and apply ice pack.
l 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 l Teach children to use caution l Prepare a safety plan for your AHB - Africanized honey bees home and work place. and respect all bees and other Apiary - pertaining to bees
insects. EHB - European honey bees l Meet with neighbors to Foraging - searching for food l 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 l Obtain bee sting kits (over-the- which results in the formation of l Eliminate potential nesting counter or prescription). a seed sites. Requeening - replacing with l Remain alert for bees. Look for younger queens to increase l 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- l Close off wall, chimney and l 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 l Run away in a straight line, defending an established nest. l Cover rain spouts, vents, etc. cover your face and eyes and with 1/8” hardware cloth. hide in a car or house if a bee or swarm begins to chase you. FDACS/DPI Helpline l Watch for regular entrance and 888-397-1517 l exit routes used by swarms Contact a local pest control www.freshfromflorida.com/pi during spring, summer and fall. operator to remove the nest.