Africanized Honey Bees
In 1956 a breed of African honey bee was brought to Brazil in an effort to increase honey production. When these bees interbred with European honey bees, they produced a new variety of bee called the “Africanized honey bee.”
These bees are sometimes referred to as “killer bees” because of their aggressively defensive behavior around their nests. Although bee keeping and bee transportation are regulated by the government, the Africanized honey bee has now become part of Californias environment and can be found in areas along with the European honey bee.
Both varieties of bees are valued for pollination, honey, and beeswax. The Africanized honey bee looks and sounds like a European honey bee. Both types of bees sting once and the effect of the sting is similar. However, the two types of bees differ in several important ways:
- Africanized honey bees build nests any place that provides some protection from the weather. They nest in walls or empty structures like old tractors, trailers, cars or equipment. They find hollow trees, stumps, and animal holes a good place to build nests. They even nest underground in irrigation pipes, meter boxes and drainage ditches. They can be found nesting around trash areas, in woodpiles, and in bushes or shrubs.
- A key difference from the European honey bee is how Africanized honey bees behave when their nests are disturbed. They are aggressively protective of their young and respond quickly by viciously stinging a suspected intruder. They may attack within five feet or more from the nest. Equipment vibration can activate bees from a distance of 100 feet or more.
- Africanized honey bees may continue the defense of their nest, by pursuing an individual for a distance of 1/4 mile or more, and in some cases, for a period lasting several hours.
What should you do if you encounter Africanized honey bees?
- Protect the head, eyes, nose, and mouth with hands, arms or clothing. Stingers, which remain in the skin, leave an odor that attracts other bees to sting in that spot.
- Get out of the area as quickly as possible.
- Get into a shelter such as a vehicle or building. Some bees may follow you in, but you will get away from the majority of bees in the swarm.
- Seek professional medical care. Although the toxicity of the Africanized honey bee is similar to the European honey bee, multiple stings can cause troubled breathing or trigger an allergic reaction that could lead to death.
- Report suspicious bee activity to a supervisor or employer.
The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied upon for legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards.