Africanized Honey Bees in Florida

1. Africanized Honey Beesin Florida Bee aware ... look, listen, run Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner Wayne N. Dixon, Division Director

2. History of Honey Bees • 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. AHB - History • 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

6. How Africanized honeybees entered Florida

7. Deep Water Ports of Florida Florida has 14 deep water ports

8. Spread of Africanized Honey Bees from 1990 t0 2006

9. Africanized honey beeshave arrived!Now What?

11. Percent of Finds AHB Finds in Florida (estimate)

12. What is FDACS/DPI doing to prevent AHB’s from entering Florida? • 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

13. www.beeequipment.com • Cone style trap is made from recycled wood pulp • Lures used to attract bees into swarm traps or hives Swarm trap Swarm lure

14. Swarms Are Not Aggressive

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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.

18. AHB - Behavior/Defensive Response • 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

19. Attacks can result in numerous stings. Notice the number of stingers on the glove to the left.

20. 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

21. 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

22. At-Risk Groups • Animals at risk • Tethered or restrained animals. • Penned, caged, or corralled. • Horses and bees don’t mix.

23. 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 AHB Interactions in Florida 2008 interactions will only increase

24. What should you do to avoid being stung? What should you do if you are being attacked by stinging insects?

25. 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

26. Hive in an Old Gas Tank

27. Surprise AHB Nesting Site

28. Bee Proofing Hole leading to cavity • 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

29. 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.

30. Bee aware ... look, listen, run • 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

31. 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.

32. 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 Bee Aware . . .Public Awareness Program

33. AHB Outreach Activities • Interface/Educate/Train • Established Inter-Agency Working Group • Make presentations/ attend statewide conferences • Develop/distribute brochures, fact sheets, videos, PSAs, school curriculums

34. 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 AHB Inter-Agency Working Group

35. 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 AHB Inter-Agency Working Group Bee aware ... look, listen, run

36. Importance of Managed Colonies in Mitigating AHB • Managed colonies dilute AHB populations. • Prevent AHB takeover of European honeybee hives. • AHB are less likely attracted to areas where other foragers exist.

37. Beekeepers are Valuable European honey bees are the first and best deterrent against an area becoming Africanized.

38. Clear message works: AHB’s are here and they are potentially dangerous . . . Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t

39. 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 Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t

40. 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. Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t

41. Greatest challenges: Getting the word out – interfacing w/other entities Explaining the importance of managed colonies (food does not originate at Publix) Public Outreach Efforts: What works/what doesn’t

42. 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.

43. Summary 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. Being aware of your surroundings and taking simple precautions is the best defense against Africanized honey bees.

44. FDACS/DPI Apiary Trivia • FDACS/DPI staff served as technical consultants on Ulee’s Gold(Peter Fonda’s Oscar-winning film)

45. FDACS/DPI Helpline888-397-1517www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry

46. Thank you. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Division of Plant Industry