Safe removal of Africanized honey bee

coloniesDeveloped by:

Dr. Philip Koehler (pgk@ufl.edu)

Adapted by: Michael K. O’Malley (omalleym@ufl.edu)

Dr. Jamie Ellis (jdellis@ufl.edu)Dept. of Entomology & Nematology

University of FloridaGainesville, FL

Part 1

1.General Information2.Differences between AHB and

EHB3.AHB Response and Control4.Swarms: Trapping and

Removal5.Beeproofing

Florida Counties to confirm AHB presence

as of December 2007

USDA / FDACS-DPI

Hybridization of European & African Honey Bees

Africans Europeans

Shorter queen development

times

More eggsfertilized with African sperm

African Honeybees (AHB)

Hybridization

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Differences between AHB and EHB

Aggressive Hive Defense and Stinging

• AHB responds quicker and in larger numbers when colony is threatened.

• AHB remains agitated longer than EHB

• Disturbing an AHB colony results in 6-10 times more stings than EHB

• Nests are dangerous if not removed • Improper removal is dangerous for

neighbors and bystanders

• 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

Professionals need to – Trap swarms as they move into area– Remove swarms

Willie The Bee Man, Inc.

Differences between AHB and EHB

Excessive Swarming

Differences between AHB and EHB

Selection of Nesting Site• EHBs are particular in selecting

nest sites. – Hollow trees– Wall voids – Cavities (about 10 gallons in size) – Above ground, clean, and dry voids

• AHBs nest in any protected place

– Smaller, closer to the ground

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

Subduing Bee AttacksA wide spray of water and chemical wetting

agent subdues Africanized honey bees

Saving Animals and People from Bee Attack

• Put on protective equipment• Remove victim from area as fast as

possible• Spray victim with soapy water• Medical or veterinary attention for victim

AHB Response/ControlNON-EMERGENCY honey bee calls…

WHO can respond?• PCOs

• GHP• L&O – unless inside house

• Registered Florida Beekeepers (non-pesticidal methods)

• Land Managers (on property they are responsible for) - limited certification if pesticidal methods used.

EMERCENCY honey bee calls….

WHO can respond?• First responders

• Fire Departments• Police Departments• Animal Control Officers

• Responders MUST be trained!

AHB Response/Control

Survey of Florida Pest Management Companies

Do YOU remove bees?!?No: 95% Yes: 5%

Africanized honey bee control is a major revenue source for companies in TX, AZ, CA

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Types of Bee Services for Pest Management Professionals

• Bee swarm trap service• Bee swarm control/removal• Property survey & bee proofing• Help for bee attack (people and animals)• Eradication of colonies• Remove bee combs and repair damage

Swarms: Trapping and Removal

• Swarm trapping—catching a swarm before it settles on an object– Involves use of a trap and pheromone– Swarms are killed while inside trap

• Swarm removal—removing a swarm that has already settled on an object– Eradicate before it establishes a colony

Bee swarm trapping

Swarms should be trapped to prevent them from…– Stinging people and animals– Establishing a colony– Becoming defensive

Swarm traps

swarm trapcosts ~$15

swarm lurecosts ~$2.50

Lures are used to attract bees to the

trap

Cone-style swarm traps are made from recycled

wood pulp

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Setting Swarm Traps

• Refer to ‘Swarm Trapping’ Edis document for assembly and pheromone information

• Should be placed 50-100 yards apart along edges of property

• Place in high, shady area• Away from houses or buildings

frequented by people

Examples of Trapping Service Plan

• Trapping Station Installation – Property analyzed by specially-trained

personnel – Number and location of trapping stations

determined • Each station with two pheromone-baited swarm traps

• Premium Service Plan – Personnel inspect stations once each week – Trapped swarms neutralized and removed

• Self-Monitoring Service Plan – Clients inspect stations regularly – Client contacts company when see swarms – Personnel neutralize and remove each swarm

Swarm Removal

Swarms should be removed….• That have settled on an object

– Tree, building, vehicle, anywhere!

• That are in close proximity to people• Before they find a colony location • Before they become defensive

W.H.Kern, Jr.

The Buzzkillers

W.H.Kern, Jr.

Killing Bees in Swarms

• Soapy water works best– Do not use for established colonies—only swarms

• Method using 5% soapy water– Mix 1 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1

gal water in a sprayer

1. Place an open garbage bag under swarm to catch bees as they fall

2. Wet surface of swarm with soapy water 3. Continue wetting as outer layers of soaked bees fall

Out of reach swarms

• Use a cardboard box or swarm trap• Wrap the box in plastic and tape• Cut hole in side• Place swarm lure in box• Wait for bees to move into box• Spray foam pesticide into box

Bee proofing

• Locate potential nest sites• Prevent nesting by eliminating

access to or removing potential sites

• Conduct regular inspections to maintain sites and detect swarms

Nest locations• AHBs can nest almost anywhere• They favor a site with a small opening

that accesses an open, shaded area • Examples:

– water meters – manholes– Holes in utility poles– gutter down-spouts

Bee proofing

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Restricting Access

• Once potential sites are located, restrict access to them

• Cover holes with 1/8” hardware cloth or screen• Fill cracks with caulking, expanding foam, or

wood/concrete filler

Equipment for Bee Proofing

Equipment list: silicone and latex caulking, caulking gun, roll of screen mesh, clippers to cut screen, staple gun, staples, wood

filler, concrete filler, putty knife, duct tape, expanding foam, and carrying container

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Inspecting

• It will be impossible to eliminate ALL potential nesting sites

• Regular inspections are required– To maintain bee-proofed property– To check for swarms that may have

settled in the area

Some sites are difficult to bee-proof….

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Safe removal of Africanized honey bee

colonies: Part II

Established Colony Removal

Tools for Established Nest Removal

•Generator

•Flashlight/150 watt halogen light

•Hive tool

•Shovel

•Duct tape

•Sting suit, veil, hat

•Leather gloves

•Foot/ankle protection

•Respirator

•Garbage bags

•Stakes and colored tape

•Drywall saw

•Drill and 1/16’ bit

•Ladder

•Stethoscope

•Staple gun

•Dustpan

•Vacuum

•Extension hose

Locating Nests

• Use principles from bee-proofing inspections

• Look for bees entering/exiting a location• Single bees flying or visiting flowers are

not an indication of a nest• Listen for the hum of insect activity• Inspect for low colonies at ground level• Inspect for high colonies in tree

branches, eaves, or attics

Locating Nests in Walls• It is difficult to locate comb within walls

– May be some distance from entrance used by bees

• Methods for locating comb in wall– Feel sheet rock for warmth– Tap sheet rock for solid sound vs. hollow sound– Use stethoscope to listen for buzzing when tapping

• Confirming location of comb– Drill a hole (1/16") close to the top of the wall

• They hang combs from top of voids

– Insert a stiff wire• Honey or wax should be on wire

Insecticides• Foam

– Quickly blocks exits so bees cannot attack– Insecticide can be added for kill

• Dust– Can be blown into nest after exit is blocked– Slower acting, but bee movement distributes

through colony• Liquid sprays

– Cannot just treat entrance to kill nest– Residual treatments to area of nest removal

• Aerosols– Fastest knockdown and kill– No residual action– Directed into nest openings

Procedure for Controlling Nests

• Clear the area so onlookers will not be attacked– notify neighbors, nearby business, or onlookers to stay

in-doors

• Apply initial foam in nest entrances to block attack• Wait for bees to die; then remove nest/dead bees

– Comb must be cut out and removed!

• Residual spray application to area of nest removal• Bee-proof area and advise client to have area

structurally repaired

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Specific Treatment Procedures

1. Clear area so onlookers will not get attacked2. Run extension cord to nest3. Night removal recommended to reduce number of

bee-stragleres• Place light and insecticides 10 ft from nest

4. Put on sting suit, respirator, hat, veil & gloves 5. Duct tape gloves to suit, suit to shoes6. Locate entrance/exits and comb in nest7. Inject foam into entrances/exits to block attack

• You have 3 to 5 seconds to get the nest under control8. Insert additional pesticides to eradicate majority of

colony9. Once bees are dead, remove nest and comb10. Spray nest area with residual insecticides11. Bee-proof area and advise client to have area

structurally repaired, if needed

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Necessity for Bee Nest Removal

• Simply killing the bees results in more problems

• Problems– an unattended beeswax, honey, brood, and pollen

will attract other insects and animals. – Wax moths will enter to consume the wax. – cockroaches and ants will find the brood and honey. – Decaying brood and fermenting honey will cause

undesirable odors. – Melting wax and honey soaks into walls making

them impossible to paint or wallpaper.– Walls will also remain moist to the touch for a

considerable period of time.

Clean-up and disposal

• Remove the nest • Place the nest in a garbage bag• Do not show nest to client• Remove bag from premises• Apply residual pesticides

Insect IQ, Inc.

Insect IQ, Inc.

Examples of Removal Service Plans

• Property Survey – Determine bee activity and locate nests– Identify potential nesting sites or problems– Bee proof susceptible areas

• Nest Elimination – Fast acting methods and professionally

trained staff – Eliminates the colony and prevents

dangerous bee situations• Comb Removal

– Removal of the combs and dead bees from established nest sites

– Destruction and re-building of walls

Controlling Bees = Safer Areas for People, Pets, and

Domestic Animals• Professional monitoring prevents establishment

of dangerous colonies• Professional bee removal with proper

equipment and procedures provides safe areas for– Work– Play

• Eliminates bees without hazard of bees attacking neighbors and bystanders

• Protects at-risk animals and people from stings

Developed by: Dr. Philip Koehler

(pgk@ufl.edu)UF Dept. of Entomology &

Nematology

Adapted by:Michael K. O’Malley

(omalleym@ufl.edu) Dr. Jamie Ellis

(jdellis@ufl.edu)Dept. of Entomology &

Nematology© 2007 University of Florida

All Photos Used by Permission:Insect IQ, IncThe BuzzkillersUSDAHBRELWilliam H. Kern, Jr.Willie the Bee Man, Inc.