Africanized bees aren’t monsters, but they merit caution

Bill Wilson

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 | 12:44 p.m.

OK, here's the buzz on killer bees (pun definitely intended). When we think of "killer bees" we often have images of Hollywood movies, where massive black swarms of angry bees are scouring the countryside looking for innocent victims to kill. As the bees are doing their "disaster deed" we can imagine hundreds of people trying to escape their stingers.

This, of course, is far from the truth. In brief, the Africanized honey bee (AHB) is just another bee. It displays much of the same characteristics and behavior as its cousin and our current bee — the European honey bee. It is an important agricultural worker like its cousin. It makes honey and wax the same, it stings and dies and its venom is the same. You cannot tell the two bees apart by sight.

The big difference is the AHB is not intimidated by people. They feel comfortable moving in and living in our human environment. They want what we have — flowers, trees, gardens, water and mostly, nectar. The AHB is very defensive and aggressive in protecting its hive and that is where the problem is. They consider most things, including people, a threat and react by swarming and stinging. They can chase people up to a 1/4 mile. They will attack people, animals and other threats up to fifty feet or more from their nest. Vibration and noisy equipment or people will be attacked at 100 feet or more.

If a person were to disturb an AHB hive, they could be swarmed by hundreds of stinging bees. To some people, one sting can be fatal.

Bee safety tips:

• Listen for buzzing indicating a nest or swarm of bees
• Use care when entering sheds or other buildings 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 activities and sports
• Don't disturb a nest or swarm
• Teach children to be cautious and respectful of all bees
• Check with a doctor about bee sting kits and procedures if sensitive to bee stings
• Develop a safety plan for your home and yard

What to do if you are attacked:

If you are attacked while outdoors, the best action is to run as far and as fast as possible. Pull your shirt up over your head to protect your face, but make sure it does not slow your progress. Run to shelter (vehicle or building) if available. Do not swat at the bees or flail your arms, since they are attracted to movement. Entering water is not recommended. The bees may wait for you to come up for air. Once you have reached shelter (or have outrun the bees), remove all stingers. When a honey bee stings, it leaves its stinger in the skin. This kills the honey bee, so it can't sting again, but the venom remains. Scrape stingers out using your fingernail, the edge of a credit card, a dull knife blade or other straight edge.

If you have been stung more that 15 times, or are feeling ill, or if you have any reason to believe you may be allergic to bee stings, it is important to call 911.

It is the policy of the Boulder City Fire Department to respond to beehives found on city property.

Hiring a pest control company to exterminate a hive found on private property is the sole responsibility of the property owner. If you have any questions, please contact the Boulder City Fire Department at 293-9228.

Bill Wilson, a firefighter-paramedic for the Boulder City Fire Department, can be reached at 293-9228.