Planning For Honey Bee Nuisance Calls And Emergencies A Guide For Louisiana State, Parish, And Municipal Agencies Developed By The Louisiana Beekeepers Association With The Cooperation Of Dr.Dale Pollet, Cooperative Extension Service LSU AgCenter, Department of Entomology, Mr. Jimmy Dunkley, State Apiary Inspector, Louisiana Department Of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Bob Danka, USDA Honeybee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Laboratory, Baton Rouge And The Bossier City Fire Department.

Purpose To help officials determine a plan of action regarding Honey Bees

Goals Define Honey Bee Emergency and Nuisance Calls Locate local agencies that may be able to assist with nuisance and emergency calls. Determine what agencies can be of assistance and list numbers. Discuss how to handle bee calls. Importance of establishing written guidelines for there respective areas.

Honey bees Are social insects In Louisiana honey production is over 2 million dollars a year. This does not include wax production or the pollination rewards towards other agriculture products that are over $400,000,000 annually.

Honey bees Play a key role in the human and natural world. Domestic bees are kept in hives usually painted a white or light color, are somewhat rectangular and can be a single box or several boxes stacked on top of each other.

What Are Killer Bees? Originated in Africa Imported To Brazil Accidentally Released In 1957 Much More Defensive Of Their colony Reached Texas In 1990 Reached Louisiana In 2005 Potential Range Is Southern U.S. Depending On Temperature and Rainfall

Bees Comparison Honey Bee Africanized Bee

AHB Progression In The U.S

Other Flying Stinging Insects The Honey Bee may be mistaken for other insects when someone has been stung. These are a few:

Wasp Red Wasp

Yellow Jacket

Mud Dauber Bumble Bee

Horse Fly / Yellow Fly

Sting Complications Allergic Reactions Mass Stinging Most likely Africanized Bees when they are this aggressive.

Nests Wasp / Hornet Bees

Honey Bee Emergency vs. Nuisance Call Honey Bee Emergency Nuisance Call Swarm Bee Hives Migratory Bee Keeper Bee Keeper

Honey Bee Emergency? Signs and symptoms Symptoms that may indicate a moderate or severe reaction include:

Signs And Symptoms Symptoms that may indicate a moderate or severe reaction include: Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue Difficulty swallowing Wheezing Fear or feeling of apprehension or anxiety Abdominal cramps or abdominal pain Cont.

Signs And Symptoms Nausea and vomiting Weakness Dizziness or light-headedness Chest discomfort or tightness Difficulty breathing Unconsciousness

Signs And Symptoms

Honey Bee Emergency? Mark Roberts assists in the clean-up of a truck accident that involved millions of bees being released along Interstate 35 in Claycomo, Mo. The bees were freed when a truck carrying hives overturned. (AP) 6/24/03

Honey Bee Emergency? Utah Beekeeper Loses 17 Million Bees in Car Accident Dec. 21, 2004

Honey Bee Emergency?

Honey Bee Nuisance Call?

Definitions Swarm A large number of bees joined together forming a cluster of bees. Swarming A large number of bees flying around Beekeeper Someone who has knowledge on handling honey bees safely. Can be a professional beekeeper or a hobbyist beekeeper.

Dispatchers Guidelines For Handling Honey Bee Nuisance Calls And Emergencies

Goals: Teach Dispatchers how to determine the difference between a nuisance call and an emergency Dispatch pre-arrival instructions

Questions A Dispatcher Could Ask Has someone been stung and their condition? Is the pt. Allergic to insect stings? Does the pt. Show signs of an allergic reaction? Is anyone else being stung or trapped?

Questions (cont.) Are the bees in located in an area of high traffic? Is the caller certain that the insects are honeybees? How did the the emergency occur and how long ago did it happen?

First Responder Guidelines For Handling Honey Bee Nuisance Calls And Emergencies

Goals: Teach first responders to safely reach stinging incident victims and remove and treat victims.

First Responder Guidelines Teaching first responders effective techniques to safely reach stinging victims and to remove and treat them is imperative. Not limited to First responders, Fire departments, EMS services and police departments. It is important for these services to know what to do so they can help victims and not endanger themselves.

Arrival Once emergency crews arrive at the scene and before leaving their units they should consider some of these questions: Is anyone being stung or unconscious? Is anyone trapped or in danger of being stung? Are honey bees flying around? (This could indicate a stinging attack) Is there a chance that a passerby could be stung? Do you have the proper equipment to safely rescue victims?

Protection Wear Turnout Gear Tape any cracks and joints. SCBA ? Beekeepers Veil ? Haz Mat Suit ?

Protection

Rescue Operations Scene Size Up Know your equipment Know your environment Isolate incident Protect rescuers Remove patient from hazard Protect bystanders

Rescue Operations

Tactical Operation Foam 3% Solution Straight Water Fog Patterns Back up lines

Rescue Operations

Main Line Back Up Line

Rescue Operations

General Patient Treatment Guidelines Remove Bees and Stingers. Check for trauma Allergic Reaction(s) ? Epinephrine.3 to.5 cc of a 1/1000 solution Benadryl 25 to 50 mg Oxygen, IV Therapy, EKG, ETC;

Supplement For Law Enforcement Bees are sometimes transported inside and outside of the state. Most of the time in large loads on trucks, trailers and18 wheelers. They are usually covered by nets that are not always 100% effective.

Supplement For Law Enforcement During hot or warm weather if a truck is stopped bees can become overheated and die. If truck is stopped and bees are getting through the net, they will continue to do this until the truck begins to move. This could endanger the officer or public causing a stinging incident or panic.

Suggestions For Law Enforcement Be careful when pulling these vehicles over If possible wait until vehicle is in an isolated area. If citation is to be issued it should be done in an expedient manner.

Implementing Guidelines The Cooperative Extension Agents of each parish could approach the Police Jury in setting up guidelines through The Board of Directors of 911, Sheriff Offices and local governments. Then each respective jurisdiction should write and implement a basic guideline for bee emergency and nuisance calls in their area.

Implementing Guidelines A list is available at: Or: