Safe removal of Africanized honey bee colonies Developed by: Dr. Philip Koehler Adapted by: Michael K. O’Malley Dr. Jamie Ellis Dept. of Entomology & Nematology University of Florida Gainesville, FL

Part 1 1.Other Stinging Insects 2.African Honey Bees 3.Differences between AHB and EHB 4.AHB Response and Control 5.Swarms: Trapping and Removal 6.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: colony sizes Paper Wasps Polistes, and related tropical genera, have the fewest number of individuals, Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) have in a colony: Bald-faced Hornet, Vespula maculate, up to 5,000; Yellow Jackets, Vespula sp.,1, ,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

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

FDACS – DPI

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

Photo: G.Kastberger

Differences between AHB and EHB Hive Defense and Stinging AHB responds quicker and in larger numbers when colony is threatened. –EHB: 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

Photo: A. Ellis Their behavior is extremely variable. Photo: USDA

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 Excessive Swarming

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

EMERCENCY honey bee calls…. WHO can respond? First responders Fire Departments Police Departments Animal Control Officers Responders MUST be trained! AHB Response/Control

Subduing Bee Attacks A wide spray of water and chemical wetting agent subdues Africanized honey bees

Saving Animals and People from Bee Attack 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 swarm trap costs ~$15 swarm lure costs ~$2.50 Lures are used to attract bees to the trap Cone-style swarm traps are made from recycled wood pulp HBREL

Setting Swarm Traps Refer to ‘Swarm Trapping’ Edis document for assembly and pheromone information Should be placed 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

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 Eradicating Swarms… that may be out of reach

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

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 Bee proofing

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

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

Insecticides Foam –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.Clear area so onlookers will not get attacked 2.Run extension cord to nest 3.Night removal recommended to reduce number of bee- stragglers 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.

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 Remove the nest Place the nest in a garbage bag Remove bag from premises Apply residual pesticides Insect IQ, Inc.

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 ext. 128

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 – –Contains presentations –Documents/Articles –Fact Sheets –AHB announcements

Developed by: Dr. Philip Koehler UF Dept. of Entomology & Nematology Adapted by: Michael K. O’Malley Dr. Jamie Ellis Dept. of Entomology & Nematology © 2007 University of Florida All Photos Used by Permission: Insect IQ, Inc The Buzzkillers USDA HBREL William H. Kern, Jr. Willie the Bee Man, Inc.