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BEE-WARE Highlands Prepares For Possible Killer Bee Migration

Courtesy photo

Africanized honeybees, also known as Killler Bees, killed an Okeechobee man earlier this month. Locals reacted to the Highlands County threat for bees which look the same as native honeybees but are much more territorial and agressive.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: April 21, 2008

SEBRING — Have killer bees arrived in Highlands County?

We don't know for sure but Highlands County officials say they want to be prepared nonetheless.
After an Okeechobee man died earlier this month from being stung more than 100 times by Africanized honey bees, local officials are working on how to deal best with the possibility that aggressive honey bees have migrated into Highlands County.

Lake Placid Police Chief Phil Williams asked the town's officers and the public to learn more about Africanized bees following three bee-related incidents in town during the past year.

Williams reported that a hive of bees recently fell from a truck on Main Street, just before school let out for the day, with no injuries. Those bees were likely domesticated honey bees.

Williams enclosed the following warning in an e-mail to officers and several member of the community: "If killer bees can make Okeechobee, they can make it here as well. Be careful."

John Alleyne, county extension director of the Highlands County Cooperative Extension Service, voiced a similar sentiment.

"Bees don't recognize boundaries –– as close as we are to Okeechobee –– they could be here," said Alleyne.

Williams talked about educating his department of all possible threats, including those from bees.
"We have to be prepared in the public service sector and be prepared to know at least a little bit about a variety of things," said Williams.

Williams photographed several bees and then asked experts at Archbold Biological station to determine whether the Lake Placid bees were Africanized.

Representatives at the Biological Station were unable to confirm whether the bees were Africanized and told Williams that native and Africanized bees look the same.

Mark Deyrup, a research biologist at Archbold, confirmed that the fiercer Africanized or "Killer Bees" have likely entered the county, although there were no confirmed sightings.

Archbold hosts 113 varieties of native honey bees. Africanized bees have be interbreeding, which has resulted in an overall change in bee behavior.

Alleyne recently visited a watermelon field in Lake Placid where he was stung twice. Bees chased him into a vehicle and also followed members of his party into another car.

The county extension director blamed the attack on the hybridization of, or interbreeding between, native and Africanized bees, which increases aggressive tendencies.

"I've never seen bees with such aggression –– they were very different, " said Alleyne.
The Highlands County Emergency Operations Center works with a half a dozen experts who help control bees.

Bruce Duncan, of Albritton Farms Enterprises, said bees in the county are more aggressive than before.

On a typical work day, Duncan is stung from 25 to 50 times . Duncan said he was able to once work in T-shirt, but now prefers to wear a jacket and gloves.

He warned residents to call 911.

"Don't mess with bees," said Duncan. "Call a professional."

Raymond Mills, of Apian Sting Operations in Lakeland, is also on the county's list of professionals who deal with bees firsthand.

"We're going to have a lot more bee situations – people having trouble with bees," said Mills. "But there will be no more deaths than before. Bees were stronger.

A trend to euthanize feral bees met opposition.

"I love life and I don't like to kill," said Mills. "But if it comes down to a person or an insect, I make every effort to save both."

Bill Nichols, director of the Highlands County Emergency Management, is preparing for killer bees, whether or not bees ever make a larger impact.

"We don't have a huge problem yet," said Nichols, "We're gearing up for this like anything else on the horizon with contingency plans. It could become a bigger threat than what it is right now."

The general public and professionals will be able to attend a seminar on Africanized honeybees at the Desoto Fire Station on April 29.

First responders and law enforcement officials will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Outdoor workers, landscapers and utility workers will gather from 2 to 4 p.m. The general public, and those unable to attend the earlier seminars, will meet from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Seating is limited. To register, call 863-402-6540.

How To Stay Bee Smart
General precautions:
* Look for bees entering or leaving an area, indicating a feral colony or swarm.
* Examine area prior to using noisy power equipment (lawn mowers, blowers, chain saws, etc.).
* Never disturb a swarm or colony of bees.
* If allergic to bee stings, obtain an emergency sting kit.
If bees become defensive:
* Get away from the bees as quickly as possible.
* Cover face and eyes
* Take shelter in enclosed area indoors
* Do not hide in the bushes or jump in the water
* Do not stand still
* Do not swat the bees – rapid movements will cause bees to sting
When to contact a pest control person or emergency personnel
* If someone is stung:
* Scrape (do not pluck) stinger out in a sideways motion with a fingernail or the edge or a credit card (or other blunt object) as soon as possible –– this will stop the release of venom
* Wash sting area with soap and water; apply ice to reduce swelling
* If allergic reaction occurs (difficulty breathing, hives widespread over body, dizziness), immediately contact emergency personnel and employ emergency sting kit (if available)
* Remember that swelling around the stung area is normal and not an indication of systematic allergy.
Source: African Honey Bee extension And Education program

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