Living with African Bees in the Outdoor Workplace

Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, omalleym@ufl.eduBill Kern, UF Associate Professor of Entomology, whk@ufl.edu

Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology, jdellis@ufl.eduAnita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director, asn@ufl.edu

Social Vs. Solitary• Honey Bees• Bumble Bees• Yellowjackets and

Hornets• Paper Wasps• Ants

• Large Carpenter Bees

• Sweat Bees• Digger / Miner Bees• Mud Daubers• Cicada Killers• Velvet Ants• White Grub Hunters

Social Bees and Wasps:colony sizes

• Paper Wasps Polistes, and related tropical genera, have the fewest number of individuals, 6 - 50.

• Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) have 30 - 300 in a colony:

• Bald-faced Hornet, Vespula maculate, up to 5,000;

• Yellow Jackets, Vespula sp.,1,000-100,000;

• Honeybees, 5,000-60,000 Apis mellifera.

Red Paper Wasp Polistes carolina

St. Lucie County, Florida, USA April 29, 2006

Mischocyttarus mexicanus -

Lady Lake, Lake County, Florida, USA September 23, 2005

YellowjacketVespula squamosa (Vespidae)

Yellowjacket Nests (usually annual)

• Nests are built entirely of wood fiber and are completely enclosed except for a small opening (entrance)

Yellow Jacket Ground Nest

Perennial Yellowjacket Nest

Perennial Yellow Jacket Nest

Perennial Yellow Jacket Nest

Bald-faced Hornet

http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2006/10-4/hornetnest.html

Bumblebee Nest

Apis mellifera spp.

Apis mellifera spp.

1950’s

Southern Distribution of AHB

USDA

As of January 2007

Florida Counties to confirm AHB presence

as of December 2007

USDA / FDACS-DPI

FDACS – DPI

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

per

cen

tag

e

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

year

Percent of captured feral bee colonies in Florida that are Africanized

Why African bees are so successful:

• Nest usurpation and queen take-over

• Drone abundance

• Dominance of African alleles

• African bee swarming tendencies and reproductive superiority

• Pest resistancePhoto: M. K. O’Malley

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: M. K. O’MalleyPhoto: HBREL

African BeeEuropean Bee

Despite this, the average person cannot tell a difference!

Photo: Sean McCann

Photo: G.Kastberger

Differences between AHB and EHB Hive Defense and Stinging

• AHB responds quicker and in larger numbers when colony is threatened. – EHB: 10-20 bees in response to disturbance 20

feet away– AHB: several hundred bees in response to

disturbance 40 yards away • AHB remains agitated longer than EHB• Disturbing an AHB colony results in 6-10

times more stings than EHB• Nests are more dangerous if not removed • Improper removal is dangerous for neighbors

and bystanders

EHBs Show Little Defensiveness

UF/IFAS

Defensive AHB colony

UF/IFAS

Stinger Density

UF/IFAS

Photo: A. Ellis

Photo: A. Ellis

Their behavior is extremely variable.

Photo: USDA

• Swarming involves honey bee reproduction at the colony level– About 60% of the bees leave colony with queen to establish new colony– Bees left behind rear new queen and remain a functioning colony

• AHBs swarm more frequently than the EHBs– EHB colonies swarm 1-2 times/year– AHB colonies can swarm 10+ times/yr

• AHB swarm is smaller than EHB swarm– Some aren't much larger than a coffee cup.

• 300 AHB swarms per square mile in Central America

Differences between AHB and EHB

Excessive Swarming

Differences between AHB and EHB Selection of Nesting Site

• EHBs are discriminating in selecting nest sites.

– Large hollow cavities (about 10 gallons in size) – Above ground, clean, and dry voids– protected

• AHBs nest almost anywhere

– Smaller, closer to the ground – Underground – Exposed nests in tree branches or elsewhere

• Difficult to detect AHB in varied nesting locations until too late

Q: Where do they nest?

A: Everywhere!

Photo: J.D. Ellis Photo: J. D. Ellis

Photo: J. D. EllisPhoto: W. H. Kern, Jr.

Photo: Insect IQ

http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/agri-ahb.htmPhoto: Insect IQPhoto: W. H. Kern, Jr.Photo: Insect IQ

W. H. Kern Jr.

W. H. Kern Jr.

In summary, common nesting sites of AHB include:

• Abandoned vehicles• Empty containers• Places & objects with

holes• Fences• Lumber piles• Manholes• Water meters• Utility infrastructures

• Old tires• Trees• Garages• Outbuildings • Sheds• Walls• Chimneys• Playground

equipment, etc.Florida Dept. Ag.

BEE AWARELook…Listen…and RUN!

• Watch for bees flying fast and straight in and out of any object or area.

• Bees foraging on flowers are not an indication of a nearby nest

Many bees does not always mean a hive is nearby, it could just be a good food source.

W. H. Kern Jr.

At-Risk Groups• Animals at risk

– Tethered or restrained animals.– Penned, caged, or corralled. – Horses and bees don’t mix.

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Tractor operators and other farm workers must remain alert

Photo: www.sxc.hu

At-Risk Groups• People likely to interact with

bees– Outdoor workers

• Landscapers• Surveyors • Utility workers• Land clearing equipment

operators– Military during training– Sports enthusiasts– Rescue personnel

The elderly and youth tend to be most affected by AHB:

In both instances, education is the key to preventing dangerous situations.

Precautions for the public

• Use caution as for snakes/ants

• Never approach hive equipment

• Never disturb a swarm

• Tractor operators take care

• Be aware of buzzing insect activity at all locations

• Examine suspect areas before entering or disturbing

• Be alert in all outdoor situations (hunting, hiking, working, picnicking, etc.)

• Teach respect and caution of bees

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: M. K. O’Malley

Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr.

Photo: www.sxc.huPhoto: Insect IQ

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: www.sxc.hu

Photo: Sean McCann

Swarm on a Building

W. H. Kern Jr.

Never Use Wasp and Hornet Spray on Bees

OOPS! You Will Get Stung!

W. H. Kern Jr.

During a stinging emergency:

• Do not stay in place and swat at bees (this always leads to more stings)

• Do not hide in water or thick underbrush (it may take bees 30+ minutes to calm down or leave an area – remember their colony is likely close)

• Do not attempt to remove swarm yourself• Seek shelter (building, vehicle, etc.)• Call 911• Do not attempt a rescue

And above all

else…

RUN

Photo: Zach Huang

Seek Emergency Care Immediately• If stung by and insect and you develop any of

these symptoms. These symptoms indicate an allergic reaction:– Large areas of swelling – Abnormal breathing – Tightness in throat or chest – Dizziness – Hives – Fainting – Nausea or vomiting – Persistent pain or swelling

What you can do...

• Inspect your property regularly for large numbers of bees and colonies.

• If feral colonies are found, have them removed by trained Pest Management Professionals who are knowledgeable about AHB.

• Disturbing a defensive colony by untrained personnel could endanger people and pets up to 150 yds away from the colony.

Legal Disclaimer

• The use of any product names is for illustrative and educational purposes only and does not represent an endorsement, guarantee, or liability by the University of Florida, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Personal Protection Equipment

www.stingshield.com

www.bugtamer.com

www.AFBEE.com

If you have any AHB-related questions,

call Jamie Ellis: IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology: 352-392-1901 ext: 130 – jdellis@ufl.edu

or

Jerry Hayes: Florida DPI: 352-372-3505 ext:128

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/ahb.html

or

Visit the AFBEE Program website

http://www.afbee.com

© 2007 University of Florida Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator (omalleym@ufl.edu)Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology (jdellis@ufl.edu)Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director (asn@ufl.edu )Bill Kern, UF Assiciate Professor of Entomology (whk@ufl.edu)

Photos used by permission:Insect IQ William H. Kern, Jr.Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer ServicesZach Huangwww.sxc.hu--stock photographyUSDA

UF/IFASMichael K. O’MalleyKeith S. DelaplaneAmanda EllisJamie EllisG. KastbergerSean McCann