I was supposed to write about stinging insects this month and I could not think of a more archetypical stinging insect than the Africanized Honey Bee (AHB). We, in IFAS at the University of Florida, are not supposed to refer to these bees as “killer bees.” I also made the mistake early on in describing the bees as “aggressive” when, in fact, they are “defensive.” They react to what we do and defend themselves. The AHBs do not sit and plot attacks on humans.

Labels of “killer bees” and “aggressive” are believed to provoke unnecessary fear in the general public, similar to the kind of hysteria seen in movies like “Killer Bees” (1974) and “The Swarm” (1978).

I must confess, I feel as if I must track down the movie “Killer Bees” because it’s about a woman (played by Gloria Swanson) who possesses psychic control over a colony of bees that live in her vineyard. Equally intriguing is the trivia putatively associated with the making of “The Swarm.” Apparently, the cast and crew were so fearful of being stung during filming that they snipped off the stingers from the bees before release. This delicate operation was performed in a refrigerated container so as to slow the bees down so they would not fly. What a great summer job! (Sarcasm.)

I would not be surprised if most people first hear about Africanized Bees via these B-grade movies. I am very pleased to tell you that in Florida, we do not have to learn about AHB via B-grade movies or perhaps worse, the Internet. James “Jamie” D. Ellis, Jr. joined our faculty in August. He assumed the duties associated with apiculture and youth. Jamie and I have been in contact since he interviewed and the bulk of the information for this article is what he has provided. He probably also has better movie trivia.

Jamie graduated with honors in 2000 from the University of Georgia in biology. He then attended the University of Rhodes in Grahamstown, South Africa. His dissertation topic was “Ecology and Control of Small Hive Beetles (Aethina tumida Murray).” The small hive beetle is a pest of honey bees. Ellis has hands-on experience with Africanized and European Honey Bees. When we were reviewing packets, I thought one of the more interesting publications to his credit was one titled: “Prison construction and guarding behavior by European honey bees is dependent on inmate beetle density.” Who thought the insect world would be ridden with crime?

I asked Jamie to answer a few questions on AHB for the pest control industry:

Faith: “If a PCO worked in an area where AHB was established, what are some cues that a PCO might be in danger?”

Jamie: “Pest control operators need to be aware of buzzing insect activity in an area. If they discover they are working in an area close to a honey bee nest (within 20-40 yards), they should wear protective clothing. This is especially true if the pest control personnel will be operating heavy or noisy equipment. Ground vibrations can disturb an AHB colony, which in response becomes defensive. It is important that pest control personnel be aware of common AHB nesting sites (see list below) so that they can inspect an area for the presence of AHB BEFORE they begin their work.”

Faith: “What are some common AHB nesting sites?”

Jamie: “Common AHB nesting sites include:

• abandoned vehicles
• empty containers
• places with holes
• fences
• lumber piles
• manholes
• water meters
• utility infrastructures
• old tires
• trees
• garages
• outbuildings
• sheds
• walls
• chimneys
• CRAWL SPACES UNDER HOUSES (I emphasize this one because these places are common pest treatment areas that are hard to quickly get out of in the event of a stinging emergency).”


Faith: “What is the minimum protective equipment that you would recommend and what is the approximate cost?” (This question is not for PMPs who are planning to have their business deal with stinging insect removal on a large scale.)

Jamie: “In the event a colony is close, pest control personnel can protect themselves using a standard bee suit (veil, gloves, and suit) available from any of the beekeeping supply companies nationwide. For Florida residents, I recommend contacting Dadant and Sons (not an endorsement) which is located in High Springs, Fla. (phone: 877-832-3268). This is the nation’s largest beekeeping supply company. Dadant has a number of suits available, but I recommend the hat-veil combo with a cotton/polyester suit ($49.95). White-faced veils are better than the standard black-faced veils, but they are difficult to obtain at this point. Concerning the gloves, I recommend the plastic-coated canvas gloves ($8.95). Dadant sells a number of leather gloves, but as bees sting leather gloves they deposit an alarm pheromone which accumulates on the gloves causing the bees to sting the gloves more! So, pest control personnel can protect themselves for less than $60.00.”

(Note: Africanized Bees will attack dark colors, going for eyes, nose, mouth, which is why the white-faced veils are recommended.)

Faith: “What should PCOs do if they are in a stinging incident?”

Jamie: “If pest control personnel find themselves in a stinging incident, they should not stay in one place and swat the bees. Remember, AHB are trying to defend their nest. When a stinging event happens, the victim is too close to the nest and needs to leave the area. As long as they remain still, the bees likely will become more agitated. Furthermore, do not hide in thick underbrush or water. It may take the bees 30 minutes or longer to leave an area! Finally, seek shelter (in a building, a vehicle, etc.). Remember, some bees will enter the shelter with you, but not as many as will remain outside.”

Faith: “What are the two or three most important pieces of information a PMP can provide to a client about AHB if they are in the area? Is there anything that can prevent AHB from taking up residence in a typical homeowner’s yard – any landscaping that is particularly prone to bee colonization or the like?”

Jamie: “(1) In order to ‘bee-proof’ a house, one must remove all potential nesting sites (see list above). This may seem easily done, but consider the number of houses and lots that have any of the potential nesting sites listed above.

(2) From March-July (swarming season), one should inspect property weekly for the presence of unusual bee activity.

(3) Finally, one should seal openings greater than 1/8-inch in walls, around chimneys, plumbing, and other openings by installing screens (1/8-inch hardware cloth) over such openings (rain spouts, vents, cavities of trees and fence posts, water meter/utility boxes, etc.). AHB utilize all of the places as nesting sites.

CLOSING REMARKS

Africanized Honey Bees strike fear in the hearts of people and what we want is people to respect the bees. The AHB populations CAN be more defensive, but there are also defensive European bees as well. The European honey bees (EHB) that beekeepers work with have been bred for hundreds of years to be docile. It is my understanding that in Honduras, where the AHB populations have taken over, the pollination and honey production did experience a slight dip during the transition period between EHB and AHB. However, they are now exporting honey again and AHB are being selected for the more docile traits.

One of the challenges that Florida will face while we are undergoing a transition period is getting our PMPs trained to handle AHB calls. The equipment they use will be different. For example, the typical beekeeper veil has a dark (black) netting over the face. The veils will have to be white – AHB in particular are attracted to the dark areas (eyes, nose, mouth).

Some estimates are that it will take about five stings per pound to kill a person – some estimates are higher.

We want those of us in the industry to keep a level head and not hype the bees beyond what is necessary. What we don’t want to see (which has happened) are municipalities banning beekeeping because of the hype. Some elected officials might not realize that by banning beekeeping, an ecological void is created, leaving the space wide open for the AHB to take over (without competition from EHB).

A couple of months ago I did read “The Secret Life of Bees” by Sue Monk Kidd, which is not B-grade and something light for summer. The information on bees in this novel was fairly accurate. Better than Hollywood or the Internet.

Oi is an assistant extension scientist, University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Gainesville.