Are
Killer Bees Lurking in YOUR Home?
Who can forget John Belushi playing the role of a Killer Bee twenty years ago on Saturday Night Live? That character was pure fiction. However, there is a dangerous strain of honey bee thriving today known as the Killer Bee. The good news is that the bees do not send swarms to seek out prey, but they are dangerous and should be avoided.
The killer Bee is actually the Africanized Honey Bee (AHB) and began its migration from South America about forty years ago. The AHB cannot be easily distinguished from the typical well-known honey bee, the European Honey Bee. The AHB is very aggressive when provoked and will attack if the hive is threatened. Rarely are stings from the AHB fatal, but due to the aggressive nature of the AHB, more stings may be suffered by the victim. Pets that are tied-up or penned are particularly vulnerable if the hive is disturbed. As with all stings, persons suffering from allergies to stings must be particularly cautious.
Currently, in the US, the AHB is only in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Each year, the bees move a bit further north, which makes them a real threat to the surrounding states as well.
A major economic threat of the AHB is potential loss of the domestic European Honey Bee. As the AHBs breed with the domestic bees, less honey is produced and since many beekeepers will not keep AHBs, the AHBs will not provide pollination of crops as well as the pure domestic bees. Currently, bees pollinate 80% of crops nationwide. If crops are not pollinated, there is a serious threat to the success of crops and ultimately result in significant increases in the price of food.
AHBs will lurk in the same places as European Honey Bees. Beehives may be found under eaves, in walls, in attics, in crawl spaces, and in outbuildings. Bees will even build hives in old tires!
Even if the AHB is not yet a threat in your area, always be careful when you see honey bees. You could be disturbing a hive. Control of bees may involve relocating the hive (only if not AHB), or treatment and removal of the hive depending on the location. Your pest management professional will know the best solution.