Africanized Vs. European Bee Characteristics

Africanized Honey Bees

History

There are 7 species of honey bees. Original swarms have formed a hybrid population with European honey bees and spread northward reaching the United States. All honey bees in the Las Vegas area are now considered to be Africanized honey bees.

Africanized vs. European bee characteristics

Swarming behavior – swarming refers to the process of a number of bees from a five founding another hive somewhere else. Africanized bees swarm more often than their European counterparts.

Aggressiveness – Africanized bees show more activity than their European cousins. Any unusual smells, sounds or vibrations will cause Africanized bees to erupt. Once they find the disturbance, the bees will pursue and sting the culprit to a greater extent than European honey bees.

Nesting – A nest of Africanized bees can be found almost anywhere, even inside human objects such as discarded tires, empty boxes or even around human homes. European honey bees tend to nest in larger areas.

Reproduction – Because Africanized drones mature quickly and spread rapidly, they have greater chances of mating than their European counterparts. A single Africanized queen bee can lay 1,500 eggs per day. The eggs hatch within three days whereas a European bee egg takes more than a week.

Establishing Bee Hives

The greatest potential for trouble is when you encounter an established bee colony. After 1 to 2 weeks the Africanized honey bees will have built a comb, stored food and started rearing young. At the point they develop the defensive nature that swarms lack and the bees will attack intruders within their territory. Hives are very serious! Immediately initiate the notification procedure and do not, under any circumstances, attempt to destroy the colony yourself.

Bee Venom

Bee Venom is not intended to kill its victim.

After a bee stings its stinger remains in the skin and continues to pump venom into the system.

After stinging someone the honey bee will grow a new stinger within days.

If an Africanized bee is crushed it will emit a pheromone that signals others to come and attack.

In the Event of an Attack

Run away or seek shelter inside an enclosed area, such as a building or vehicle. Bees are relatively slow insects.

They will pursue you for up to ¼ mile from their hive.

Never stand in one place and swat the bees.

Never dive into a swimming pool, since the bees may still be there when you come up for air.

Africanized Honey Bees

History

There are 7 species of honey bees. Original swarms have formed a hybrid population with European honey bees and spread northward reaching the United States. All honey bees in the Las Vegas area are now considered to be Africanized honey bees.

Africanized vs. European bee characteristics

Swarming behavior – swarming refers to the process of a number of bees from a five founding another hive somewhere else. Africanized bees swarm more often than their European counterparts.

Aggressiveness – Africanized bees show more activity than their European cousins. Any unusual smells, sounds or vibrations will cause Africanized bees to erupt. Once they find the disturbance, the bees will pursue and sting the culprit to a greater extent than European honey bees.

Nesting – A nest of Africanized bees can be found almost anywhere, even inside human objects such as discarded tires, empty boxes or even around human homes. European honey bees tend to nest in larger areas.

Reproduction – Because Africanized drones mature quickly and spread rapidly, they have greater chances of mating than their European counterparts. A single Africanized queen bee can lay 1,500 eggs per day. The eggs hatch within three days whereas a European bee egg takes more than a week.

Establishing Bee Hives

The greatest potential for trouble is when you encounter an established bee colony. After 1 to 2 weeks the Africanized honey bees will have built a comb, stored food and started rearing young. At the point they develop the defensive nature that swarms lack and the bees will attack intruders within their territory. Hives are very serious! Immediately initiate the notification procedure and do not, under any circumstances, attempt to destroy the colony yourself.

Bee Venom

Bee Venom is not intended to kill its victim.

After a bee stings its stinger remains in the skin and continues to pump venom into the system.

After stinging someone the honey bee will grow a new stinger within days.

If an Africanized bee is crushed it will emit a pheromone that signals others to come and attack.

In the Event of an Attack

Run away or seek shelter inside an enclosed area, such as a building or vehicle. Bees are relatively slow insects.

They will pursue you for up to ¼ mile from their hive.

Never stand in one place and swat the bees.

Never dive into a swimming pool, since the bees may still be there when you come up for air.

Africanized Honey Bees

History

There are 7 species of honey bees. Original swarms have formed a hybrid population with European honey bees and spread northward reaching the United States. All honey bees in the Las Vegas area are now considered to be Africanized honey bees.

Africanized vs. European bee characteristics

Swarming behavior – swarming refers to the process of a number of bees from a five founding another hive somewhere else. Africanized bees swarm more often than their European counterparts.

Aggressiveness – Africanized bees show more activity than their European cousins. Any unusual smells, sounds or vibrations will cause Africanized bees to erupt. Once they find the disturbance, the bees will pursue and sting the culprit to a greater extent than European honey bees.

Nesting – A nest of Africanized bees can be found almost anywhere, even inside human objects such as discarded tires, empty boxes or even around human homes. European honey bees tend to nest in larger areas.

Reproduction – Because Africanized drones mature quickly and spread rapidly, they have greater chances of mating than their European counterparts. A single Africanized queen bee can lay 1,500 eggs per day. The eggs hatch within three days whereas a European bee egg takes more than a week.

Establishing Bee Hives

The greatest potential for trouble is when you encounter an established bee colony. After 1 to 2 weeks the Africanized honey bees will have built a comb, stored food and started rearing young. At the point they develop the defensive nature that swarms lack and the bees will attack intruders within their territory. Hives are very serious! Immediately initiate the notification procedure and do not, under any circumstances, attempt to destroy the colony yourself.

Bee Venom

Bee Venom is not intended to kill its victim.

After a bee stings its stinger remains in the skin and continues to pump venom into the system.

After stinging someone the honey bee will grow a new stinger within days.

If an Africanized bee is crushed it will emit a pheromone that signals others to come and attack.

In the Event of an Attack

Run away or seek shelter inside an enclosed area, such as a building or vehicle. Bees are relatively slow insects.

They will pursue you for up to ¼ mile from their hive.

Never stand in one place and swat the bees.

Never dive into a swimming pool, since the bees may still be there when you come up for air.

SAFETY QUIZ

Africanized Honey Bees

1. While there are 7 types of Honey Bees where in the United States are Africanized Honey Bees considered the only ones local to the area.

a. Palm Springs, CA

b. Orlando, FL

c. Las Vegas, NV

d. Addison, TX

2. What are the differences between Africanized and European Honey Bees? (Circle all that apply)

a. Africanized bees act more aggressively towards disturbances such as smell, sound and vibration.

b. Africanized bees will only nest in larger areas to avoid being disturbed.

c. An Africanized Queen bee can lay 1,500 eggs per day which will hatch in just over a week.

d. Africanized bees tend to swarm more often and more aggressively that European Bees.

3. When should Africanized bees be considered dangerous? (Circle all that apply)

a. When they are away from the hive feeding.

b. When they are swarming in search of a new hive.

c. When they are at or around their hive.

d. When they are texting while flying around.

4. Which of the following are true? (Circle all that apply)

a. Bee Venom is not intended to kill its victim.

b. After a bee stings its stinger remains in the skin and continues to pump venom into the system.

c. After stinging someone the honey bee will grow a new stinger within days.

d. If an Africanized bee is crushed it will emit a pheromone that signals others to come and attack.

5. What are things to remember in the event of an attack? (Circle all that apply)

a. Swat as many of them as you can. They will recognize you as a threat and leave you alone.

b. Bees will follow you for up to a ¼ mile so get to an enclosed area.

c. Find a body of water to jump into because bees can’t swim.

d. When stung it is important to remove the stinger as soon as possible.

e. RUN AWAY!!! Bees are SLOW.

Print Name ______

Signature ______

SAFETY QUIZ

Africanized Honey Bees

1. While there are 7 types of Honey Bees where in the United States are Africanized Honey Bees considered the only ones local to the area.

a. Palm Springs, CA

b. Orlando, FL

c. Las Vegas, NV

d. Addison, TX

2. What are the differences between Africanized and European Honey Bees? (Circle all that apply)

a. Africanized bees act more aggressively towards disturbances such as smell, sound and vibration.

b. Africanized bees will only nest in larger areas to avoid being disturbed.

c. An Africanized Queen bee can lay 1,500 eggs per day which will hatch in just over a week.

d. Africanized bees tend to swarm more often and more aggressively that European Bees.

3. When should Africanized bees be considered dangerous? (Circle all that apply)

a. When they are away from the hive feeding.

b. When they are swarming in search of a new hive.

c. When they are at or around their hive.

d. When they are texting while flying around.

4. Which of the following are true? (Circle all that apply)

a. Bee Venom is not intended to kill its victim.

b. After a bee stings its stinger remains in the skin and continues to pump venom into the system.

c. After stinging someone the honey bee will grow a new stinger within days.

d. If an Africanized bee is crushed it will emit a pheromone that signals others to come and attack.

5. What are things to remember in the event of an attack? (Circle all that apply)

a. Swat as many of them as you can. They will recognize you as a threat and leave you alone.

b. Bees will follow you for up to a ¼ mile so get to an enclosed area.

c. Find a body of water to jump into because bees can’t swim.

d. When stung it is important to remove the stinger as soon as possible.

e. RUN AWAY!!! Bees are SLOW.

Print Name ______

Signature ______

SAFETY QUIZ

Africanized Honey Bees

1. While there are 7 types of Honey Bees where in the United States are Africanized Honey Bees considered the only ones local to the area.

a. Palm Springs, CA

b. Orlando, FL

c. Las Vegas, NV

d. Addison, TX

2. What are the differences between Africanized and European Honey Bees? (Circle all that apply)

a. Africanized bees act more aggressively towards disturbances such as smell, sound and vibration.

b. Africanized bees will only nest in larger areas to avoid being disturbed.

c. An Africanized Queen bee can lay 1,500 eggs per day which will hatch in just over a week.

d. Africanized bees tend to swarm more often and more aggressively that European Bees.

3. When should Africanized bees be considered dangerous? (Circle all that apply)

a. When they are away from the hive feeding.

b. When they are swarming in search of a new hive.

c. When they are at or around their hive.

d. When they are texting while flying around.

4. Which of the following are true? (Circle all that apply)

a. Bee Venom is not intended to kill its victim.

b. After a bee stings its stinger remains in the skin and continues to pump venom into the system.

c. After stinging someone the honey bee will grow a new stinger within days.

d. If an Africanized bee is crushed it will emit a pheromone that signals others to come and attack.

5. What are things to remember in the event of an attack? (Circle all that apply)

a. Swat as many of them as you can. They will recognize you as a threat and leave you alone.

b. Bees will follow you for up to a ¼ mile so get to an enclosed area.

c. Find a body of water to jump into because bees can’t swim.

d. When stung it is important to remove the stinger as soon as possible.

e. RUN AWAY!!! Bees are SLOW.

Print Name ______

Signature ______