Bee Proof Your Property
The best way to bee proof your property is to deny the colony what it needs for survival, this means, food, water and shelter. Remember, Africanized honey bees nest in areas with small openings (as small as 3/16th of an inch in diameter) as long as there is a decent sized cavity behind the opening. Caulk cracks in walls, in the foundation and in the roof of your home. Fill or cover all holes 1/8th of an inch or larger in trees, structures or block walls. Make sure chimneys are covered properly and there is no separation between the chimney and the house. Cover attic vents, irrigation valve boxes and water meter box key holes with small-mesh screen. Remove trash and debris. Make sure your sun screens and windows fit tightly. Shed doors should be kept tightly closed and in good repair. Use caution when entering structures that have not been used in a while.
Photo: bumble bee of the genus Bombus.
Inspect your home and yard regularly for signs of colonies. Large numbers of bees passing in and out of or hovering in front of an opening is a sign of a colony. Listen for the hum of active bees. Look for low colonies at ground level and high colonies under the eaves or in the attic. If you find a colony, call a bee expert immediately and keep everyone away from the colony.
What to Do If Attacked By Africanized Honey Bees
RUN – run away quickly. Pull your shirt up over your head to protect your face, but don’t let it slow your progress. Continue to run until you reach shelter such as a vehicle or building. Do not jump into water! The bees will wait for you. Most colonies will not chase you for more than one-half mile, so most people can outrun a colony, but if you can’t, cover up with blankets, sleeping bags, clothes, or whatever else you can find.
So not swat at the bees or flail your arms. Movement attracts the bees and the crushed bees emit a smell that only attracts more.
Once you have reached shelter or outrun the bees, remove all the stingers by scraping the stinger out sideways. You can use your fingernail, the edge of a credit card, or any other strait edged object. If you pull the stinger out with your fingers or tweezers you will only squeeze more venom into you.
This will be difficult to do, but if you see someone else being attacked, encourage them to run away or seek shelter. Don’t attempt to rescue them yourself, unless they are very young or very old and you can just grab them and move fast. Call 9ll and report a serious stinging attack.
If you have more than fifteen stings, or are feeling ill or believe you may be allergic to bee venom, seek immediate medical attention. The average person can safely tolerate 10 stings per pound of body weight. Five hundred stings can kill a child but the average adult can take more than 1000 stings.
What to Do if Your Pet is Attacked
Try to get your animal away from the bees without endangering yourself. Call your dog inside your house or car, or release it if it will not harm itself or others nearby. If a few bees get into your shelter with your pet, don’t worry, they are drawn to the sun and will stay by the windows. Do not attempt to approach the animal without some kind of protection, like a bee keepers suit (which we all have handy, right?), because the bees will probably attack you. Remember that an injured animal is unpredictable.
If possible, douse the animal with a shower of soapy water (½ cup soap per gallon of water). This will kill any bees clinging to it within 60 seconds. Covering the animal with a heavy blanket may discourage the bees.
Once your pet is away from the bees, look for stingers and remove them as you would if they were in you, by scraping, not pulling. If the stings are numerous, consult your veterinarian.
Bees, Your Swimming Pool, and other Outdoor Water Sources
If you notice bees around your pool they may be foraging to find a water source for the colony. Mix ¼ cup of dish soap to a quart of water and fill an empty spray bottle with it. Spray any bees lingering around your pool and any that return. Eventually other foragers will find a new water source. Add a few ounces of pine-scented cleaner to the water of evaporative coolers. For birdbaths or pet water mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar in each gallon of water. Cover or drain pools or tubs when you aren’t using them. Repair leaky faucets and faulty irrigation systems.
What to Expect
Since their introduction into Brazil, Africanized Honey Bees have killed over 1,000 humans, at least one of whom was in Tucson. They react to disturbances ten times faster than European Honey Bees and will chase a person a quarter of a mile. There is also some question about whether or not the mating of the African Bee and the European Honey Bee will sustain the Honey Bee industry in the United States. Their pollination efforts may differ and since the Africanized bees swarm more often they may abandon nests excessively and not survive the winters. Many authorities are working on the problem of killer bees, but until they have a solution, we need to learn to live around them.
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