FAQ's - Africanized Honey Bee

African Honey Bee Facts...

Africanized and European Honey Bees...

General Precautions...

Bee-Proofing Your Home...

What To Do If Stung...

Who to Call?

Africanized Honey Bee Facts

Africanized honey bees (AHB) – also called "killer bees" – became established in Texas in 1990 and are spreading to other southern states. AHB are expected to enter southern California by the mid 1990’s and eventually migrate throughout the state. Although its "killer" reputation has been greatly exaggerated the presence of AHB will increase the chances of people being stung.

Learning about the AHB and taking certain precautions can lower the risk of being injured

by this new insect in our environment.

The Africanized honey bee is closely related to the European honey bee used in agriculture for crop pollination and honey production. The two types of bees look the same and their behavior is similar in many respects. Neither is likely to sting when gathering nectar and pollen from flowers but both will sting in defense if provoked.

A swarm of bees in flight or briefly at rest seldom bothers people; however all bees become defensive when they settle begin producing wax comb and when raising their young.

• Look the same

• Protect their nest and sting in defense

• Can sting only once

• Have the same venom

• Pollinate flowers

• Produce honey and wax

Africanized honey bees are less predictable and more defensive than European honey bees. They are more likely to defend a greater area around their nest. They respond faster and in greater numbers although each bee can sting only once.

• Respond quickly and sting in large numbers

• Can sense a threat from people or animals 50 feet or more from the nest

• Sense vibrations from power equipment 100 feet or more from nest

• Will pursue an enemy ¼ mile or more

• Swarm frequently to establish new nests

• Nest in small cavities and sheltered areas

AHB nest in many locations where people may encounter them. Nesting sites include: empty boxes cans buckets or other containers; old tires; infrequently used vehicles; lumber piles; holes and cavities in fences trees or the ground; sheds garages and other outbuildings and low decks or spaces under buildings. Remove potential nest sites around buildings. Be careful wherever bees are present.

• Remove possible nesting sites around home and yard

• Inspect outside walls and eaves of home and outbuildings

• Seal openings larger than 1/8" in walls around chimneys and plumbing

• Install fine screens (1/8" hardware cloth) over tops of rain spouts vents and openings in water meter/utility boxes

• From spring to fall check once or twice a week for bees entering or leaving the same area of your home or yard

As a general rule stay away from all honey bee swarms and colonies. If bees are encountered get away quickly. While running away try to protect face and eyes as much as possible. Take shelter in a car or building. Water or thick brush does not offer enough protection. Do not stand and swat at bees; rapid motions will cause them to sting.

Who to Call?

Call 911 for multiple stinging emergencies or to report a bee problem during after-hours and weekends if there is a bee hive or swarm on city properties such as parks city trees streets and sidewalks.

Call the Environmental Health Division at (626) 744-6004 for honey bee swarms or hives found on city properties during business hours.

Call a licensed pest control company for honey bee swarms or hives found on private properties.  Licensed pest control companies are listed in the yellow pages of the phone book.

Explore our website or call (626) 744-6005

for additional information.