Africanized Honeybees (AKA killer bees or AHBs) have earned their nickname due to their aggressive nature. You’ve seen the stories, news reports, and more about these aggressive creatures, but what do we really know about killer bees?
Killer Bees: A Brief History
A hybrid of honey bees was brought to Brazil in the late 1950s by Professor Warwick E. Kerr. He intended to breed a race of honeybees that would adapt to the tropical climates of South America. Through experimentation, Kerr reared African queens with Italian honey bee drones. He distributed these bees to Brazilian beekeepers in the late 1960s, but they quickly discovered their defensive and aggressive nature, which spread through Brazil and Argentina. By the early 1970s, the United States took notice and published a report on the impending AHB problem.
In 1990, the descendants of the original AHBs reached the southwestern US and spread to Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas within two years. As AHBs spread, more than 1,000 people and tens of thousands of domestic animals were killed in stinging incidents, creating a fear-driven health crisis that forced many South American beekeepers out of business.
Recognizing Killer Bees
Size Difference
AHBs look almost identical to European Honeybees (EHBs) except for a slight difference in size. AHBs are about 10% smaller than their European counterparts, but the difference is so subtle that it’s unnoticeable to the average Joe, and many beekeepers have a hard time distinguishing the two simply by looking at them.
Behavioral Differences
EHBs and AHBs respond very differently to provocation. White bees will respond aggressively to threats to their hive; AHBs are much more aggressive. EHBs may send out as few as 10-20 guard bees to respond to a threat within 20 yards of their hive; AHBs may send several HUNDRED within a range of 120 yards of their hives. AHB hives can sting thousands of times when disturbed, while EHB hives typically sting about 10-20 times.
Foraging Behaviors
AHBs are typically more solitary foragers, while EHBs are more opportunistic. AHBs are less discouraged by overcast, cold weather, while EHBs stick to sunny days and are more sensitive to poor temperatures and rainy weather.
Where To Find AHBs
EHBs rarely nest in exposed areas, while AHBs may nest in the open, such as hanging from a tree branch. AHBs also nest in much smaller places than EHBs. For example, while a typical EHB hive can be in larger cavities, AHBs tend to nest in spaces almost half the size of EHBs. Check chimneys and crawl spaces, as AHBs will nest in many places, and EHBs won’t. Other possible nesting sites include empty containers, abandoned vehicles, old tires, lumber piles, and sheds.
I found aggressive bees; what do I do?
While it is hard to distinguish EHBs and AHBs, you can take steps to ensure bees don’t nest in and around your home, including:
- Bee-Proofing Your Home: Prevention is best! Ensure no gaps larger than 1⁄8 inch are around chimneys or plumbing; this is a favorite spot for bees. Install fine mesh screens to prevent bees from fitting through and inspect any openings for bees.
- NEVER Remove Nests: Due to AHB’s sheer aggressiveness, you should never try to remove a nest alone, especially by hitting it, throwing rocks at it, or burning it.
- RUN FAST: Run and run fast! Pull your shirt over your face to protect your head from stings. Don’t run toward water as they may wait above the water for you. Run toward a well-lit area that may disorient the bees or shelter that can shut them out.
Killer Bee Experts in Las Vegas
Our team at Bee Master of Las Vegas is knowledgeable about bees in general and has extensive knowledge of Africanized Honeybees! If you have bees of any kind, especially seemingly aggressive ones, call us today for a FREE quote.