An Africanized honey bee, more commonly referred to as “killer bees,” caused the death of one man and injured another in a recent attack. While such attacks are uncommon, their consequences should never be ignored. If encountering large numbers of bees, run in a zigzag pattern away from them while quickly seeking shelter indoors or in your vehicle as soon as possible.
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Africanized honeybees are an invasive species
African honey bee colonies released into Brazil during experiments in the 1970s spread rapidly throughout South America, Central America and Mexico before finally making it to the United States in 1985. Once released into their new environments they proved more aggressive when protecting their hives from disturbances, as well as sending out three or four times more workers than European honey bees; they were however less tolerant of cold temperatures; not faring well in areas experiencing freezing winters.
African honey bees may not be as domesticated as their European cousins, but they remain valuable pollinators and produce just as much honey as any other bee species. While European bees prefer foraging alone, African honey bees tend to form social foraging groups while they build their nests underground or under tires, crates, boxes, grills or exposed tree limbs instead of traditional beehives.
They are more aggressive than regular honeybees
Africanized honey bees attack in large numbers when threatened, often chasing away threats for up to a quarter mile. Less selective nest builders than their European counterparts, Africanized honey bees will frequently create colonies in tires, crates, boxes, grills or exposed tree limbs; even abandoned vehicles and structures.
Although stings from killer bees contain poison, their bite may not be as deadly. Still, their sting may cause discomfort that requires medical intervention to alleviate.
Hikers should keep a safe distance from bee colonies and wear light-colored clothing in order to avoid attacks from bee stings, avoid swatting their arms, swatting or flailing them, if stung remove the barbed stinger quickly as quickly as possible by scraping or pulling. For maximum efficiency it may be easier to use a card instead of pulling on it if scraping becomes necessary for removal.
They sting more often than other bees
People tend to associate “killer” bees with quick death after one sting; however, individual stings from these bees are no more painful or powerful than those from common European honey bees.
But it is the collective behavior of bee colonies that makes them so deadly. Researchers have discovered that combinations of brain chemicals can turn otherwise peaceful bees into vicious fighters; similar mechanisms exist in fruit flies and mice as well.
These bees form small colonies and build nests in unconventional places, including tires, crates, boxes, water meter boxes, tree limbs, junk piles and utility poles. You might also come across them nestled between tires or mailboxes or overturned flower pots – it all counts!
If a person is attacked by killer bees, their best course of action should be to run in a zigzag pattern away from them quickly while seeking shelter as soon as possible. Furthermore, it’s advisable not to swat at or swat away at them; any systemic reactions such as hives or swelling in their throat must be treated immediately otherwise fatal consequences can ensue.
They produce honey
Honey bees produce honey by turning flower nectar into sugar, then returning it to their colony. They also create queen pheromone to control worker bee development; this complex chemical serves several functions including regulating how much honey is produced as well as encouraging workers to tend to their hive and collect pollen.
Killer bees are hybrids between European honey bees and their more aggressive African relative. Introduced to Brazil in 1950 in order to increase honey production, however 26 swarms quickly escaped their experimental apiary and spread throughout South America before reaching North America by 1985. Renowned for their territoriality and aggressive behavior when threatened, killer bees can be dangerous creatures when encountering another organism.
Though not frequently depicted on film, killer bees do not attack humans without cause. Reacting quickly to disturbances, they can pursue threats for up to quarter of a mile pursuing any threat as well as multiple times stinging with more potency venom than regular honey bees.
