How Dangerous Are Africanized Honeybees?
Africanized honeybees
Are africanized honeybees really as dangerous and frightening as the media implies?
Our guest author doesn’t think so. In fact, he shares some really interesting facts and tips about these so-called killer bees…
Image credit:
www.flickr.com/photos/camazine/2853471118/
People and Africanized Honeybees Can Co-Exist – Ask Professional Bee Catchers How
Contrary to what most people believe, Africanized bees truly can, and do co-exist in some manner with people, and have for many years. When there is trouble from these creatures, it usually occurs only when a colony is disturbed, either by some animal, including people, or some sudden noise that sounds threatening to the hive. It should go without saying that extreme care is needed when any beehives appear close to houses or financial properties. Rather than attempting to get rid of or exterminate them yourself, it is strongly advised that you contact a specially trained (and properly clothed) honeybee removal expert.
Africanized honeybees (also known as “killer bees” as a result of movies and press) are the consequence of a well-meaning experiment gone awry. In 1956 a geneticist in Brazil, desiring to develop a super-bee species that was better suited to flourish in the tropics of South America, cross-bred African and European (what we call honeybees in the U.S.) strains. The result was a species that could indeed thrive in a tropical climate, but that regrettably was exceptionally aggressive when defending its hive. These bees have been migrating north at a rate of 100-300 miles per year. In the U.S., they have now made it into some southern states and California, where folks have learned how to live side by side with them. In fact, it has been estimated that up to 90% of all bees in Los Angeles are now African bees.
Africanized honeybees look like those we are most accustomed to, except they are a bit smaller sized. Their sting is chemically the same as that of their European counterpart, and contrary to the folklore, is no more venomous that that of the common bee. Their lives are actually very similar to honeybees in that they build massive colonies of up to 40,000 residents, and they generally only swarm when their hive has grown to be too big to sustain. Like their European cousins, they are very effective pollinators.
The problem lies in the elevated aggression level. These bees will attack with significantly less provocation, in greater numbers, and for a longer time-span than their European/American cousins. They are in fact 10 times more prone to attack than the bees we are used to, will attack and chase intruders much further from the hive, and the defender bees seem to be particularly agitated by the vibrations of nearby motors such as those in common lawn mowers. A single African bee just out gathering pollen, however, is no more prone to sting than a normal bee, and deaths from attacks are rare; in fact there are fewer deaths annually from African bee stings than from lightning strikes.
African bees are considered less dangerous than yellow jackets, who can sting again and again, and who are very aggressive as well. These wasps do differ somewhat in appearance to honeybees, though the average person typically can’t tell the difference. These aggressive creatures might build their hives in trees and shrubs, but are more likely to nest underground. They are frequently found in deep mulch, or in holes or burrows in the earth that have been vacated by other critters. Unlike bees, they are not pollinators, but are carnivores. Which is why they are usually around when you want to bar-b-que or dine outside. Since they’re so aggressive and can sting repeatedly, it is always preferable to call a yellow jacket removal expert when you come across a colony of these creatures.
Since African bees flourish in the tropics and warmer regions, it is still uncertain how far north they are anticipated to migrate. Since they’re useful in pollinating crops while collecting nectar to make into honey to feed their young, researchers are studying ways to make the most efficient use of them and to make them less aggressive as well. Since the average person is unable to distinguish an Africanized honeybee from the more familiar European species, it is always recommended that you call in a professional when you sense danger by the presence of any stinging invaders.
Africanized honeybees are a lot more prevelant than most people realize so it’s good to know some expert facts about them.
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