Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Africanized Honey Beesin Florida
Adam H. Putnam, CommissionerAdam H. Putnam, CommissionerWayne N. Dixon, Division DirectorWayne N. Dixon, Division Director
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Bees evolved from wasps 80 million years ago
Spanish brought over first honeybee colonies in the 16th century
Dubbed “white man’s flies” by Native American tribes
History of Honey Bees
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Florida Beekeeping Florida beekeeping
developed between 1872 and 1888
Reported in 1879 that most everyone in Daytona area kept several colonies
Apiaries began to be established all over state after 1888
1920 Florida held the world record for honey production
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Florida Beekeeping Apiary inspection was
created by Legislative Act 1919
250,000 colonies maintained by registered beekeepers (last 3 years)
56,000 colonies inspected from 3,400 apiaries per year
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
First bred to create a honeybee better suited for tropical conditions
1957 - 26 African queen bees were accidentally released from breeding in Sao Paulo, Brazil
AHB - History
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
How Africanized honeybees entered Florida
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Deep Water Ports of Florida
Florida has Florida has 14 deep 14 deep
water ports water ports
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Spread of Africanized Honey Spread of Africanized Honey Bees from 1990 t0 2006Bees from 1990 t0 2006
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Africanized honey beeshave arrived!
Now What?
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
AHB Finds in Florida
(estimate)
Percent of Finds
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Maintaining 500 bait traps throughout the state to intercept introduction of AHBs
Conducting analytical tests to determine AHBs genetics
Working w/multiple entities to educate/train
What is FDACS/DPI doing to prevent AHB’s
from entering Florida?
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Cone style trap is made from recycled wood pulp
Lures used to attract bees into swarm traps or hives
SwarmSwarm trap trapSwarm lureSwarm lure
www.beeequipment.com
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Swarms Are Not Aggressive
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Facts About Swarms Swarms are a way colonies divide
when they get too large for their current hive location
The old queen and some of the workers leave the old colony to find a new colony at a new location.
Bees in swarms are not defensive because they do not have resources (honey and babies) to defend.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
AHB Planning Collaboration and Training in Florida
Formed Africanized Bee Working Group
Devoting research funds to AHB Providing funds to the University of
Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for a “Train the Trainer” curriculum
Partnership with Florida State Beekeepers Association
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
The Truth About Africanized Honey Bees
Africanized honey bees (AHB) are the same species as European honey bees (EHB).
The sting of the AHB is not more dangerous or toxic than EHB.
You cannot tell an AHB from a EHB by looking at them.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Three to four times as many bees respond to threat
10 times more stings per encounter compared to European honey bees
Defend wider area around nest compared to European honey bees
Can chase victims for ¼ mile
AHB - Behavior/Defensive Response
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Attacks can result in numerous stings. Notice the number of stingers on the glove to the left.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
At-Risk Groups People likely to interact with
bees Outdoor workers
Foresters and fire fighters Parks and recreation personnel Landscapers Utility workers Land clearing equipment
operators Military during training Sports enthusiasts Rescue personnel
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
At-Risk Groups
These people are at greater risk from encounters with feral AHB colonies because they are less able to escape the situation.
Small Children Elderly Handicapped
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
At-Risk Groups
Animals at risk Tethered or restrained
animals. Penned, caged, or
corralled. Horses and bees don’t mix.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
AHB Interactions in Florida 2008 - First human fatality resulting from AHB stings occurred in
Okeechobee County Horse killed in LaBelle (Lee County) Dog killed in Fort Myers (Lee County) Dogs killed in Miami Gardens (Miami-Dade County) – dogs’ owners
sent to hospital, firemen (first responders) injured City workers in Moore Haven (Glades County)
sent to hospital Farm worker in Brevard County injured Four dogs killed (Palm Beach County), property owner injured Many more reports of stinging incidents throughout state, primary
in South Florida
2008 interactions will only increase
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
What should you do to avoid
being stung?
What should you do if you are
being attacked by stinging
insects?
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Bee Alert Check the
environment around your homes regularly for possible bee nesting sites – plug holes
Look for bees in work areas before using power equipment – noise excites bees
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Hive in an Old Gas Tank
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Surprise AHB Nesting Site
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Bee Proofing Africanized honey bees nest in
a wide variety of locations Need openings >1/8 inch, cavity behind
the opening for a nest Eliminate shelter
Caulk cracks in walls, foundation, and roof Fill or screen holes >1/8-inch in trees, structures, or block walls Screen attic vents, irrigation boxes, and water meter box holes Remove trash or debris that might shelter honey bees Fill or cover animal burrows Secure window screens to fit tightly Close shed doors tightly and keep in good repair
Hole leading to cavity
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Colony Removal Disturbing a defensive colony by
untrained personnel could endanger people and pets up to 150 yards away from colony.
Only experienced persons with protective equipment should attempt to remove or eliminate bee colonies. Improper removal can cause bees to attack
bystanders. Numerous insecticides are approved for use on
bees. Use foam. Soapy water doesn't work effectively on
a colony because honey comb prevents adequate coverage.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
If attacked, cover your mouth and nose and run inside a building, vehicle or other enclosure
Don’t swat at bees – only makes them more defensive
Don’t jump in a pool – they’ll wait for you
If stung, scrape off the stinger with a fingernail or credit card
Call a pest control company to remove the hive
Seek medical attention if necessary Stinger in arm
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Putting AHB Into Perspective AHB are more aggressive than EHB.
AHB swarm more and produce more feral colonies.
AHB nest in more and smaller spaces than EHB.
In terms of aggressive defense of the colony and potential number of stings, AHB are comparable to our native yellow jackets or bald-faced hornets.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Bee Aware . . . Public Awareness Program
Challenge: Educate the public about potential
dangers of AHB, while at the same time stressing
the importance of managed honey bee
colonies to Florida agriculture
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Interface/Educate/Train
Established Inter-Agency Working Group
Make presentations/ attend statewide conferences
Develop/distribute brochures, fact sheets, videos, PSAs, school curriculums
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
AHB Inter-Agency Working Group State agencies (public health,
emergency management, tourism, environmental services, Ag law, Forestry), industry representatives, University of Florida IFAS, ag officials from Georgia and Alabama
Mission: to share information and speak with one voice
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
AHB Inter-Agency Working Group Create/maintain Intranet Web site to
share information Develop easy-to-remember slogan for
responding to potential AHB attacks
Conduct statewide presentations to stakeholder groups
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Managed colonies dilute AHB populations.
Prevent AHB takeover of European honeybee hives.
AHB are less likely attracted to areas where other foragers exist.
Importance of Managed Colonies in Mitigating AHB
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Beekeepers are Valuable
European honey bees are the first and best deterrent against an area becoming Africanized.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t
Clear message works:
AHB’s are here and they are potentially dangerous . . .
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t
Present concise information on what to do if attacked by stinging insects such as AHBs: Be aware of your surroundings
(look for bees, listen for buzzing) If attacked, run, seek shelter
inside Scrape off stingers Contact PCO to remove hive Seek medical attention if
necessary
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t
People are interested in AHBs – getting their attention should be easy
Use existing communication tools to educate your audiences (newsletters, utility bill inserts, Web site links, etc.)
Encourage the public to be knowledgeable and prepared, not to panic
We can learn to live with AHBs as we have yellow jackets, fire ants, etc.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t
Greatest challenges: Getting the word out – interfacing
w/other entities Explaining the importance of
managed colonies (food does not originate at Publix)
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Summary Africanized Honey Bees do not intentionally
try to hurt people. They are simply defending their territory. If people disturb the hive, or if a
hive is accidentally disturbed, the bees are likely to react adversely. Generally, the chances of being injured by any stinging insect are slim.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Summary
Being aware of your surroundings and taking simple precautions is the best defense
against Africanized honey bees.
With that in mind you still have to be aware of this potential threat and know how to react if
you encounter Africanized Bees as you would with any other natural threat such as
lightning, snakes or other biting/stinging insects.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
FDACS/DPI Apiary Trivia
FDACS/DPI staff served as technical consultants on Ulee’s Gold (Peter Fonda’s Oscar-winning film)
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
FDACS/DPI HelplineFDACS/DPI Helpline888-397-1517888-397-1517
www.doacs.state.fl.uwww.doacs.state.fl.us/pis/pi
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Thank you.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry