Safe removal of Africanized
honey bee colonies
Developed by:
Dr. Philip Koehler (pgk@ufl.edu)
Adapted by:
Michael K. O’Malley (omalleym@ufl.edu)
Dr. Jamie Ellis (jdellis@ufl.edu)
Dept. of Entomology & Nematology
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Part 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Other Stinging Insects
African Honey Bees
Differences between AHB and EHB
AHB Response and Control
Swarms: Trapping and Removal
Beeproofing
Social Vs. Solitary
• Honey Bees
• Bumble Bees
• Yellowjackets and
Hornets
• Paper Wasps
• Ants
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Large Carpenter Bees
Sweat Bees
Digger / Miner Bees
Mud Daubers
Cicada Killers
Velvet Ants
White Grub Hunters
Social Bees and Wasps:
•
•
•
•
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colony sizes
Paper Wasps Polistes, and related tropical
genera, have the fewest number of
individuals, 6 - 50.
Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) have 30 - 300
in a colony:
Bald-faced Hornet, Vespula maculate, up
to 5,000;
Yellow Jackets, Vespula sp.,1,000100,000;
Honeybees, 5,000-60,000 Apis mellifera.
Red Paper Wasp Polistes carolina
St. Lucie County, Florida, USA
April 29, 2006
Mischocyttarus mexicanus Lady Lake, Lake County, Florida, USA September 23, 2005
Yellowjacket
Vespula squamosa (Vespidae)
Key to Florida yellowjackets
Yellowjacket Nests
(usually annual)
• Nests are built
entirely of wood fiber
and are completely
enclosed except for a
small opening
(entrance)
Perennial Yellowjacket Nest
Bald-faced Hornet
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2006/10-4/hornetnest.html
European Hornet
Vespa crabro
Bumble Bees of Florida
Bombus spp. (Apidae)
Bumblebee Nest
Yellow jackets, Hornets,
and Bumble bees can all
sting through a bee suit.
When dealing with these defensive
social insects, most removal experts
wear multiple layers under their bee
suits to add distance between the
surface of the suit and their skin.
Apis mellifera spp.
Florida Counties to confirm AHB presence
as of December 2007
USDA / FDACS-DPI
Percent of captured feral bee colonies in Florida
that are Africanized
100
90
80
percentage
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2002
2003
2004
year
FDACS – DPI
2005
2006
European Bee
African Bee
Photo: Sean McCann
Despite this, the average person cannot tell a
difference!
Photo: G.Kastberger
Differences between AHB and EHB
Hive Defense and Stinging
• AHB responds quicker and in larger numbers
when colony is threatened.
– EHB: 10-20 bees in response to disturbance 20
feet away
– AHB: several hundred bees in response to
disturbance 40 yards away
• AHB remains agitated longer than EHB
• Disturbing an AHB colony results in 6-10
times more stings than EHB
• Nests are more dangerous if not removed
• Improper removal is dangerous for neighbors
and bystanders
Their behavior is extremely variable.
Photo: A. Ellis
Photo: A. Ellis
Photo: USDA
Differences between AHB and EHB
Excessive Swarming
• Swarming involves honey bee reproduction at the colony level
– About 60% of the bees leave colony with queen to establish new colony
– Bees left behind rear new queen and remain a functioning colony
• AHBs swarm more frequently than the EHBs
– EHB colonies swarm 1-2 times/year
– AHB colonies can swarm 10+ times/yr
• AHB swarm is smaller than EHB swarm
– Some aren't much larger than a coffee cup.
• 300 AHB swarms per square mile in Central America
• Professionals need to
– Trap swarms as they move into area
– Remove swarms
Differences between AHB and EHB
Selection of Nesting Site
• EHBs are discriminating in selecting nest sites.
– Large hollow cavities (about 10 gallons in size)
– Above ground, clean, and dry voids
– protected
• AHBs nest almost anywhere
– Smaller, closer to the ground
– Underground
– Exposed nests in tree branches or elsewhere
• Difficult to detect AHB in varied nesting
locations until too late
Personal Protective Equipment
• Veil
• Jacket
• Full suit
– veil attached
• Full suit
– with detachable veil
• Gloves
– Taped or elastic
• Boots
AHB Response/Control
EMERCENCY honey bee calls….
WHO can respond?
•
•
First responders
• Fire Departments
• Police Departments
• Animal Control Officers
Responders MUST be trained!
Subduing Bee Attacks
A wide spray of water and chemical wetting agent
subdues Africanized honey bees
Saving Animals and People from
Bee Attack
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•
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Put on protective equipment
Remove victim from area as fast as possible
Spray victim with foam agent/soapy water
Medical or veterinary attention for victim
Swarms:
Trapping and Removal
• Swarm trapping—catching a swarm before
it settles on an object
– Involves use of a trap and pheromone
– Swarms eradicated while inside trap
• Swarm removal—removing a swarm that
has already settled on an object
– Eradicate before it establishes a colony
Honey Bee Swarm Trapping
Swarms should be trapped to prevent
bees from…
– Stinging people and animals
– Establishing a colony
– Becoming defensive
Swarm traps
HBREL
swarm lure
costs ~$2.50
Lures are used to attract
bees to the trap
HBREL
swarm trap
costs ~$15
Cone-style swarm traps
are made from recycled
wood pulp
Setting Swarm Traps
• Refer to ‘Swarm Trapping’ Edis document
for assembly and pheromone information
• Should be placed 50-100 yards apart
along edges of property
• Place in high, shady area
• Away from houses or buildings frequented
by people
Eradicating Swarms…
from swarm trap
•
•
•
•
Lower trap carefully
Use smoker in trap entrance
Place trap in plastic bag
Spray insecticides through bag into
trap entrance
W.H.Kern, Jr.
The Buzzkillers
Swarm Removal
Swarms should be removed….
• That have settled on an object
– Tree, building, vehicle, anywhere!
•
•
•
•
That are in close proximity to people
Before they find a colony location
Before they become defensive
Swarms are usually docile
– May be difficult to tell if comb is being built under bees
Eradicating Swarms…
that have settled on an object
•
•
Soapy water works best
– Do not use for established colonies—only swarms
Method using 5% soapy water
– Mix 1 cup of liquid dishwashing detergent with 1
gal water in a sprayer
1. Place an open garbage bag under swarm to catch
bees as they fall
2. Wet surface of swarm with soapy water
3. Continue wetting as outer layers of soaked bees fall
Eradicating Swarms…
that may be out of reach
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Use a cardboard box or swarm trap
Wrap the box in plastic and tape
Cut hole in side
Place swarm lure in box
Wait for bees to move into box
Spray foam pesticide into box
Bee proofing
• Locate potential nest sites
• Prevent nesting by eliminating access to
or removing potential sites
• Conduct regular inspections to maintain
sites and detect swarms
Bee proofing
Nest locations
• AHBs can nest almost anywhere
• They favor a site with a small opening that
accesses an open, shaded area
• Examples:
–
–
–
–
water meters
manholes
Holes in utility poles
gutter down-spouts
HBREL
HBREL
HBREL
HBREL
HBREL
Restricting Access
• Once potential sites are located, restrict
access to them
• Cover holes with 1/8” hardware cloth or
screen
• Fill cracks with caulking, expanding foam,
or wood/concrete filler
Equipment for Bee Proofing
Equipment list: silicone and latex caulking, caulking gun, roll of screen mesh,
clippers to cut screen, staple gun, staples, wood filler, concrete filler, putty
knife, duct tape, expanding foam, and carrying container
HBREL
Inspecting
• It will be impossible to eliminate ALL potential
nesting sites
• Regular inspections are required during
swarming season—March-July
– To maintain bee-proofed property
– To check for swarms that may have settled in the
area
– Look for unusual bee activity
Some sites are difficult to bee-proof….
HBREL
HBREL
HBREL
HBREL
Safe removal of Africanized
honey bee colonies: Part II
Established Colony Removal
Locating Nests
• Use principles from bee-proofing
inspections
• Look for bees entering/exiting a location
• Single bees flying or visiting flowers are
not an indication of a nest nearby
• Listen for the hum of insect activity
• Inspect for low colonies at ground level
• Inspect for high colonies in tree branches,
eaves, or attics
Locating Nests in Walls
• It may be difficult to locate comb within walls
– May be some distance from entrance used by bees
• Methods for locating comb in wall
– Feel sheet rock for warmth
– Tap sheet rock for solid sound vs. hollow sound
– Use stethoscope to listen for buzzing when tapping
• Confirming location of comb
– Drill a hole (1/16") close to the top of the wall
• Bees hang combs from top of voids
– Insert a stiff wire
• Honey or wax should be on wire
• Foam
Insecticides
– Quickly blocks exits so bees cannot attack
– Not for use near exposed wires
• Dust
– Helpful when nest is near exposed wires
– Slower acting, but bee movement distributes
through colony
• Liquid sprays
– Cannot just treat entrance to kill nest
– Good for residual treatments to area of nest
removal
• Aerosols
– Fast knockdown and kill
– No residual action
Procedure for Controlling Nests
• Clear the area so onlookers will not be attacked
– notify neighbors, nearby business, or onlookers to
stay in-doors
• Apply initial foam in nest entrances to block attack
• Wait for bees to die; then remove nest/dead bees
– Comb must be cut out and removed!
• Residual spray application to area of nest removal
• Bee-proof area and advise client to have area
structurally repaired
Specific Treatment
Procedures
1.
2.
3.
Clear area so onlookers will not get attacked
Run extension cord to nest
Night removal recommended to reduce number of beestragglers
• Place light and insecticides near nest
4. Put on sting suit, respirator, hat, veil & gloves
5. Duct tape gloves to suit, suit to shoes
6. Locate entrance/exits and comb in nest
7. Inject foam into entrances/exits to block attack
• You have 3 to 5 seconds to get the nest under control
8. Insert additional pesticides to eradicate majority of colony
9. Once bees are dead, remove nest and comb
10. Spray nest area with residual insecticides
11. Bee-proof area and advise client to have area structurally
repaired, if needed
Insect IQ, Inc.
Insect IQ, Inc.
Insect IQ, Inc.
Necessity for Comb Removal
• Simply killing the bees results in more problems
– an unattended beeswax, honey, brood, and pollen will
attract other insects and animals.
– Wax moths will enter to consume the wax.
– cockroaches and ants will find the brood and honey.
– Decaying brood and fermenting honey will cause
undesirable odors.
– Melting wax and honey soaks into walls making them
impossible to paint or wallpaper.
– Walls will also remain moist to the touch for a
considerable period of time.
Clean-up and disposal
Insect IQ, Inc.
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Remove the nest
Place the nest in a garbage bag
Remove bag from premises
Apply residual pesticides
A Sample of Bees
• Collect a sample of at least 50 bees in alcohol
• Label with date, location, description of colony
• Send samples to
Jerry Hayes
Apiary Inspection Assistant Chief
352-372-3505 ext. 128
hayesg@doacs.state.fl.us
Controlling Bees =
Safer Areas for People, Pets, and Domestic Animals
• Professional monitoring prevents establishment of
dangerous colonies
• Professional bee removal with proper equipment
and procedures provides safe areas for work and
play
• Eliminates bees without hazard of bees attacking
neighbors and bystanders
• Protects at-risk animals and people from stings
• AFBEE Program website
– http://afbee.ifas.ufl.edu
– Contains presentations
– Documents/Articles
– Fact Sheets
– AHB announcements
Developed by:
Dr. Philip Koehler (pgk@ufl.edu)
UF Dept. of Entomology & Nematology
Adapted by:
All Photos Used by Permission:
Insect IQ, Inc
Michael K. O’Malley omalleym@ufl.edu)
The Buzzkillers
Dr. Jamie Ellis (jdellis@ufl.edu)
USDA
Dept. of Entomology & Nematology
HBREL
William H. Kern, Jr.
© 2007 University of Florida
Willie the Bee Man, Inc.