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Living with Africanized Bees

Living with Africanized Bees. Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, omalleym@ufl.edu Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology, jdellis@ufl.edu Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director, asn@ufl.edu. Apis mellifera spp. Apis mellifera spp. 1950’s.

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Living with Africanized Bees

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  1. Living with Africanized Bees Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator, omalleym@ufl.edu Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology, jdellis@ufl.edu Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director, asn@ufl.edu

  2. Apis mellifera spp.

  3. Apis mellifera spp. 1950’s

  4. Southern Distribution of AHB As of January 2007 USDA

  5. Florida Counties to confirm AHB presence as of December 2007 USDA / FDACS-DPI

  6. FDACS – DPI

  7. African Bee European Bee Photo: Sean McCann Despite this, the average person cannot tell a difference!

  8. Q: Where do they nest?

  9. A: Everywhere! Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr. Photo: J. D. Ellis Photo: J.D. Ellis Photo: J. D. Ellis

  10. Photo: Insect IQ

  11. http://www.state.ok.us/~okag/agri-ahb.htm Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr. Photo: Insect IQ Photo: Insect IQ

  12. In summary, common nesting sites of AHB include: • Abandoned vehicles • Empty containers • Places & objects with holes • Fences • Lumber piles • Manholes • Water meters • Utility infrastructures • Old tires • Trees • Garages • Outbuildings • Sheds • Walls • Chimneys • Playground equipment, etc. Florida Dept. Ag.

  13. Why African bees are so successful: • Drone abundance • Dominance of African alleles • Nest usurpation and queen take-over • African bee swarming tendencies and reproductive superiority • Pest resistance Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: HBREL

  14. At-Risk Groups • Animals at risk • Tethered or restrained animals. • Penned, caged, or corralled. • Horses and bees don’t mix. Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: www.sxc.hu

  15. Tractor operators and other farm workers must remain alert Photo: www.sxc.hu

  16. The elderly and youth tend to be most affected by AHB: In both instances, education is the key to preventing dangerous situations.

  17. Precautions for the public • Use caution as for snakes or ants • Never approach hive equipment • Never disturb a swarm Photo: www.sxc.hu • Tractor operators take care Photo: M. K. O’Malley Photo: W. H. Kern, Jr. Photo: Sean McCann Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: www.sxc.hu Photo: Insect IQ • Be aware of buzzing insect activity at all locations • Examine suspect areas before entering or disturbing • Be alert in all outdoor situations (hunting, hiking, working, picnicking, etc.) • Teach respect and caution of bees

  18. ‘Bee-proofing’ your schools, public facilities, homes, tourist sites, etc. • Remove all potential nesting sites (garbage, tires, and other debris) • From March-July (swarming season), inspect property weekly for the presence of unusual bee activity • Inspect outside walls and eves of your structures • Seal openings greater than 1/8-inch in walls, around chimneys, plumbing, and other openings by installing screens (1/8-inch hardware cloth) over such openings (rain spouts, vents, cavities of trees and fence posts, water meter/utility boxes, etc.)

  19. During a stinging emergency: • Do not stay in place and swat at bees (this always leads to more stings) • Do not hide in water or thick underbrush (it may take bees 30+ minutes to calm down or leave an area – remember their colony is likely close) • Do not attempt to remove swarm yourself • Seek shelter (building, vehicle, etc.) • Call 911 • Do not attempt a rescue

  20. And above all else…RUN

  21. If you suspect Africanized bees or you have any AHB-related questions, call Jamie Ellis: IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology: 352-392-1901 ext: 130 – jdellis@ufl.edu or Jerry Hayes: Florida DPI: 352-372-3505 ext:128 http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/ahb.html or Visit the AFBEE Program website http://afbee.ifas.ufl.edu

  22. © 2007 University of Florida Michael K. O’Malley, AFBEE Program Coordinator (omalleym@ufl.edu) Jamie Ellis, UF Assistant Professor of Entomology (jdellis@ufl.edu) Anita Neal, St. Lucie County Extension Director (asn@ufl.edu ) Photos used by permission: Insect IQ William H. Kern, Jr. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Zach Huang www.sxc.hu--stock photography USDA UF/IFAS Michael K. O’Malley Keith S. Delaplane Amanda Ellis Jamie Ellis G. Kastberger Sean McCann

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