If you have pets, livestock, or other animals living outdoors, you may consider taking precautions for them as well. Again, contact a local beekeeper if you locate a bee swarm. As such, swarm clusters (either African or European) are not very defensive, and they will likely fly off to their new home within a couple of days. Swarm clusters are bees in search of a new nesting site, and are usually much less defensive that those protecting a hive. Established colonies are different from exposed “swarms” hanging off of a tree limb. Contact your local Cooperative Extension center for a list of potential local beekeepers. If you are unsure, call a local beekeeper to come investigate. However, if hundreds of bees are clustered together or seen entering and exiting a single hidden location, it may be a sign that a colony has become established. Bees can also collect water from bird baths or swimming pools, particularly during the heat of the summer. In particular, abandoned tires, over-turned flower pots, or inverted metal cans ( Figure 3) serve as excellent nesting cavities for Africanized bees.Ī few dozen bees visiting your flower beds is very typical and indeed beneficial for your garden. Be sure to also clean up any junk piles or other debris that may create sheltered nesting sites. In other regions of the country, Africanized bees have been known to inhabit such man-made cavities as tool sheds and water meters ( Figure 2), since they often have small entrance holes and can provide an ideal space for a nest. Inspect other potential nesting sites around your house as well. Any gap greater than 1⁄ 8 of an inch could possibly provide access to bees, so be sure to seal any such crevice sufficiently to prevent bees from moving in. Prevent access to these areas by sealing the cracks with wire-mesh screen, caulk, or an expanding foam such as “Great Stuff” ( Figure 1). With a little know-how, these potential nest sites can be removed or made unsuitable for bee habitation.Ĭarefully inspect your house and other structures for holes or cracks that could potentially lead to an internal cavity, wall space, attic, or crawl space, as bees can build their nests in any of these places. Most Africanized bees do not live in boxes managed by beekeepers, but rather in structures or other man-made cavities. Second, reduce the likelihood that an Africanized honey bee colony will become established on your property by removing potential nest sites. First, do not swat at bees flying around you, since it will likely provoke them and increase the chances that they will sting you. Thus to prevent stings from honey bees, it is important to do two things. Like their European counterparts, however, Africanized honey bees will usually become defensive only when provoked or guarding their nest. For Homeowners and the General Public Skip to For Homeowners and the General PublicĪfricanized honey bees can be a public health concern because they are more likely to sting than “typical” honey bees.
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