Warning to Wheeler's- Hostile bees infest Arizona
10-14-2003 | 08:16 AM
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From: Chino Valley, Az.
Warning to Wheeler's- Hostile bees infest Arizona
Warning to Wheeler's- Hostile bees infest Arizona
As the artical states, October is the worst month of the year for bee problems- be careful in the wash trails w/ good bee habitat; they need permanent water and shelter like hollow trees or cracks/caves in cliffs. Getting caught in an open rig on a tough trail could be a real bummer.
___________________________________________
Diana Balazs
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 14, 2003 12:00 AM
Ten years ago, honeybees with a temper first buzzed into Arizona and quickly swarmed their way throughout the state.
They have been as aggressive as feared. Since 1993, Africanized bees have killed five Arizonans and injured countless others.
With the state in a prolonged drought, the bees are more easily set off, experts say, and October historically has been the month when most of the severe attacks have occurred.
Over the years, the Africanized bees have overtaken the more docile European honeybee, making it even more important to stay away from beehives.
Every wild bee colony in Arizona is now of the Africanized variety, said Bob Smith, a University of Arizona associate professor of entomology.
"It is because the Africanized genes are basically better for the biology of the colony," he said.
Smith said the closer one gets to a hive, the better the likelihood of being attacked.
"Their venom is no more toxic than the European honeybee. It's just that there are more of them stinging you than would be typical of European colonies," he said.
Of the five states reporting their presence, Arizona is the only one with the temperamental bees in every county. They also are in most of Texas and portions of New Mexico, Nevada and California.
Researchers are surprised that the bees have even taken up residence in Arizona's higher elevations, said entomologist Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman, research leader of the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson. Originally, experts suggested they would opt for the warm deserts and avoid colder regions.
DeGrandi-Hoffman said Arizonans have to coexist with the bees just as they do with other wild animals and insects.
"It's just making people aware they are out there. If you've got them in a wall in your house, don't try to remove it (the hive) yourself," she said.
Also, individual bees buzzing from plant to plant in the home garden are not a threat, she said.
"They are not going to attack or hurt you. They are collecting nectar and pollen."
Bee attacks common
Africanized bees are more prone to attack than the European honeybee if their colony is threatened. In addition to attacks on humans, the bees have killed or injured a number of animals, including dogs and horses.
Tom Martin is a beekeeper and owner of AAA Africanized Bee Specialists Inc., a bee removal company. He said the Africanized bees have clearly been as aggressive as originally feared.
"There has not been the human deaths that were once predicted, I believe, largely because of the role the media has had in educating the public to prepare," he said.
But Martin, 47, said the media is not reporting bee attacks as often as it once did even though attacks continue and may be more frequent because of the drought.
No one knows how many people have been stung over the years because most people don't seek treatment.
The Banner Poison Control Center reported 614 bee exposures (callers reporting they had been stung) in Maricopa County in 2001, 611 last year and 523 so far this year.
Because of the dry weather, the bees are more protective of their hives. Those colonies with ample honey reserves have survived the drought.
"What's left are fewer colonies of Africanized bees that are far more aggressive than the average colony would have been prior to the drought," Martin said.
The bees are most active in spring and fall.
Insects on the move
Africanized bees were brought to Brazil from South Africa in the late 1950s for a crossbreeding program. In 1957, some of the bees accidentally were let loose. In the United States, they were first found in Texas in 1990, southeastern Arizona in June 1993 and October 1993 in the West Valley.
Two attacks occurred that October. Three dogs were killed and several people stung in Peoria. Then Ken Moore, a city of Glendale plumber, was attacked Oct. 28, 1993, after lifting the lid off a water meter box in a Glendale park. He was stung nearly a dozen times.
"It was just like a big swarm, kind of like what you see in the cartoons where one leads and they all follow," the 41-year-old Glendale resident recalled.
Martin, who has raised bees since he was 9, said he is genuinely afraid of Africanized bees.
"It is frightening for even someone like myself who has nearly 40 years' experience," he said.
Homeowners need to inspect properties and call a professional before the hives become too big and potentially lethal, Martin said.
Moore, who has not been stung since, has a respect for bees.
"I think in the back of everyone's mind when they see any kind of bee, they get a little more cautious," he said.
As the artical states, October is the worst month of the year for bee problems- be careful in the wash trails w/ good bee habitat; they need permanent water and shelter like hollow trees or cracks/caves in cliffs. Getting caught in an open rig on a tough trail could be a real bummer.
___________________________________________
Diana Balazs
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 14, 2003 12:00 AM
Ten years ago, honeybees with a temper first buzzed into Arizona and quickly swarmed their way throughout the state.
They have been as aggressive as feared. Since 1993, Africanized bees have killed five Arizonans and injured countless others.
With the state in a prolonged drought, the bees are more easily set off, experts say, and October historically has been the month when most of the severe attacks have occurred.
Over the years, the Africanized bees have overtaken the more docile European honeybee, making it even more important to stay away from beehives.
Every wild bee colony in Arizona is now of the Africanized variety, said Bob Smith, a University of Arizona associate professor of entomology.
"It is because the Africanized genes are basically better for the biology of the colony," he said.
Smith said the closer one gets to a hive, the better the likelihood of being attacked.
"Their venom is no more toxic than the European honeybee. It's just that there are more of them stinging you than would be typical of European colonies," he said.
Of the five states reporting their presence, Arizona is the only one with the temperamental bees in every county. They also are in most of Texas and portions of New Mexico, Nevada and California.
Researchers are surprised that the bees have even taken up residence in Arizona's higher elevations, said entomologist Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman, research leader of the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson. Originally, experts suggested they would opt for the warm deserts and avoid colder regions.
DeGrandi-Hoffman said Arizonans have to coexist with the bees just as they do with other wild animals and insects.
"It's just making people aware they are out there. If you've got them in a wall in your house, don't try to remove it (the hive) yourself," she said.
Also, individual bees buzzing from plant to plant in the home garden are not a threat, she said.
"They are not going to attack or hurt you. They are collecting nectar and pollen."
Bee attacks common
Africanized bees are more prone to attack than the European honeybee if their colony is threatened. In addition to attacks on humans, the bees have killed or injured a number of animals, including dogs and horses.
Tom Martin is a beekeeper and owner of AAA Africanized Bee Specialists Inc., a bee removal company. He said the Africanized bees have clearly been as aggressive as originally feared.
"There has not been the human deaths that were once predicted, I believe, largely because of the role the media has had in educating the public to prepare," he said.
But Martin, 47, said the media is not reporting bee attacks as often as it once did even though attacks continue and may be more frequent because of the drought.
No one knows how many people have been stung over the years because most people don't seek treatment.
The Banner Poison Control Center reported 614 bee exposures (callers reporting they had been stung) in Maricopa County in 2001, 611 last year and 523 so far this year.
Because of the dry weather, the bees are more protective of their hives. Those colonies with ample honey reserves have survived the drought.
"What's left are fewer colonies of Africanized bees that are far more aggressive than the average colony would have been prior to the drought," Martin said.
The bees are most active in spring and fall.
Insects on the move
Africanized bees were brought to Brazil from South Africa in the late 1950s for a crossbreeding program. In 1957, some of the bees accidentally were let loose. In the United States, they were first found in Texas in 1990, southeastern Arizona in June 1993 and October 1993 in the West Valley.
Two attacks occurred that October. Three dogs were killed and several people stung in Peoria. Then Ken Moore, a city of Glendale plumber, was attacked Oct. 28, 1993, after lifting the lid off a water meter box in a Glendale park. He was stung nearly a dozen times.
"It was just like a big swarm, kind of like what you see in the cartoons where one leads and they all follow," the 41-year-old Glendale resident recalled.
Martin, who has raised bees since he was 9, said he is genuinely afraid of Africanized bees.
"It is frightening for even someone like myself who has nearly 40 years' experience," he said.
Homeowners need to inspect properties and call a professional before the hives become too big and potentially lethal, Martin said.
Moore, who has not been stung since, has a respect for bees.
"I think in the back of everyone's mind when they see any kind of bee, they get a little more cautious," he said.
10-14-2003 | 09:42 AM
#2
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From: paddling out on the right coast
i think in general, you just have to worry about bees or wasps, or any insect with stingers.
i was up in WV in mid september 2002 with a group of 4 tacos, 2 heeps, and a suki. we were heading up a trail to meet up with the lead taco. by the time i got to the taco (i was the 2nd truck in the group), all the guys in the open air trucks were running past me yelling "bees". i rolled up my windows and waited for a few minutes before i got out. 3 of the 5 guys got sting anywhere from their faces to their legs.
i was up in WV in mid september 2002 with a group of 4 tacos, 2 heeps, and a suki. we were heading up a trail to meet up with the lead taco. by the time i got to the taco (i was the 2nd truck in the group), all the guys in the open air trucks were running past me yelling "bees". i rolled up my windows and waited for a few minutes before i got out. 3 of the 5 guys got sting anywhere from their faces to their legs.
11-06-2003 | 06:08 AM
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From: Chino Valley, Az.
that'd be a bummer- awakening to a D'back gettin' into the sack with ya. I didn't know they had any of those types on the team 
Seriously, we do see a rare rattler when out wheelin'. I leave'm alone unless it's an unavoidable conflict. The only rattler I've ever killed was during Dove season many years ago. My Yellow Lab was going after a downed bird and came face to face w/ a BIG diamond back- it was heading towards a free meal, and my dog was way to close, about 18" when I got her to stop. She was a well trained dog, but wouldn't come back without the bird.
As far as bees go, I was investigating a creek bed on BLM land east of Cordes Jnt. and came across a bee tree. Must have been a huge colony- there were 1000's of bees coming and going from a 10' dia Cottonwood trunk- we rolled up the windows and turned around
later
Seriously, we do see a rare rattler when out wheelin'. I leave'm alone unless it's an unavoidable conflict. The only rattler I've ever killed was during Dove season many years ago. My Yellow Lab was going after a downed bird and came face to face w/ a BIG diamond back- it was heading towards a free meal, and my dog was way to close, about 18" when I got her to stop. She was a well trained dog, but wouldn't come back without the bird.
As far as bees go, I was investigating a creek bed on BLM land east of Cordes Jnt. and came across a bee tree. Must have been a huge colony- there were 1000's of bees coming and going from a 10' dia Cottonwood trunk- we rolled up the windows and turned around
later
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