Africanized Honey Bees (AHB) are closely related to the familiar European Honey Bees (EHB) used in agriculture to produce honey and pollinate crops. They are called "Africanized Honey Bee" because they are the result of interbreeding between European bees and bees from Africa inadvertently released in Brazil in the 1950s. They have also been referred to as "killer bees" in the media because of their aggressive behavior. Although its "killer" reputation has been greatly exaggerated, the presence of AHB most likely will increase the number of honey bee related stinging incidents.

AHB have spread from Brazil southward as far as northern Argentina, and northward throughout South and Central America and Mexico. They entered the United States via southern Texas in 1990, Arizona and New Mexico in 1993, and Southern California in 1994. As of April 1999, there have been finds in most areas of Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles and Bernardino Counties. AHB colonies nearest to Ventura County have been confirmed in Calabasas and Hidden Hills in western Los Angeles County.

Both types of honey bees live in colonies of 10,000 to 50,000 individuals, consisting of a queen, sterile female workers, male drones, and developing bees. Honey bees are about 3/4 inch long, with fuzzy bodies, with brown and yellow-orange coloring. Their nests are normally hidden in cavities.

Because AHB are nearly identical to EHB in size, color and overall appearance, they can be positively identified only by measurements under a microscope and by laboratory analysis of their DNA.

Unlike their European counterparts, AHB --

• Are less predicable and more easily agitated and defensive.

• Are more likely to defend a larger area (can be upwards of 100 feet or more) around their nests.

• Respond faster and in greater numbers, although each bee can sting only once.

• Sense vibrations or noise from power equipment 100 feet or more from their nests.

• Will pursue and enemy 1/4 mile or farther.

• Swarm frequently to form new nests.

• Nest in a variety of sheltered and unsheltered areas including empty boxes, cans, buckets or other containers, old tires, infrequently-used vehicles, lumber piles, holes and cavities in fences, trees or the ground, utility poles, mail boxes, mobile home skirts, sheds, garages and other outbuildings, low decks or spaces under buildings, and small cavities near the ground like water meter boxes or overturned flower pots.

Most people probably will never encounter a colony of AHB. However, the following measures will reduce the effect these bees may have on you.

• Listen for buzzing indicating a nest or swarm of bees. Many bees coming and going from a single spot (not just many bees on flowers) may indicate a nest.

• Wear shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and light colored clothing when outdoors near bee colonies; avoid wearing perfumes; keep pets on leashes.

• Use care when entering sheds and outbuildings where bees may nest.



• Examine work area before using lawn mowers, weed cutters, and other power equipment.

• Examine areas before tying up or penning pets or livestock.

• Be alert when participating in all outdoor sports and activities.

• Don't inspect nests at night using a flashlight; both AHB and EHB see white light/illumination as opposed to amber or red light. Shining a white light on a nest will cause the bees to fly towards the light.

• Don't disturb a nest or swarm -- contact a pest control company.

• Teach children to be cautious and respectful of all bees.

• Check with a doctor about bee sting kits and procedures if you are sensitive to bee stings.

• Remove possible nesting sites, such as tires, flower pots, stacks of wood, etc., around your home and yard.

• Inspect outside walls and eaves of home and outbuildings routinely to identify any new colonies.

• Keep shed doors tightly closed and in good repair. Exercise caution when entering buildings that are not frequently used.

• Seal openings larger than 1/8 inch in trees, walls, around chimneys and plumbing with caulk or insulation.

• Install fine screen (1/8 inch hardware cloth) over rain spouts, chimney openings, attic vents and openings in water meter, utility and irrigation valve boxes.

• From Spring to Fall check once or twice a week for bees entering or leaving the same area of your home or yard.

A group of bees that are leaving their parent colony and starting a new location is called a swarm. The swarm may spend a day or two clustered in hanging clumps on tree branches or in other temporary locations until the bees settle on a new nesting site. If they cannot find a suitable location, the bees will fly several miles and cluster again. Typically, AHB will swarm more often and the likelihood of encountering them increases.

To avoid being stung, stay away from all honey bee swarms and colonies. If bees are encountered, get away quickly. Take shelter in a car or building. Water or thick brush does not offer enough protection. Do not stand and swat at bees; rapid motions will cause them to sting, and crushed bees emit an odor that attracts more bees.