All posts in “Africanized bees”

Some fun at ProBest Pest Management!

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Some fun at ProBest Pest Management!

 

The staff and management at ProBest Pest Management tries real hard to honor and say thanks to all the staff as often as possible. Since we are not the largest company out there, we have to be somewhat imaginative I mean what would the point be to have an employee of the month when there are really only 10 of us.

Amount 8 months ago we did an EXTREME AFRICANIZED BEE JOB, they were some of the nastiest of the bees we ever have to deal with. Well one of the crew was stung 13 times and another 3 times. Well just a few days ago it happened again – 11 stings and that is with a bee suit on. I was going to show the picture of his face but he had to take the next day off cause it swelled up, WOW – got to watch out for stinging pests and that is why you should always call a Pest Management Professional… Even if we get stung – we get rid of the bees.

So to honor the dedication and professionalism we decided to start a little trophy system.

probestpestmanagementIMAG0774      probestpestmanagementIMAG0773

Just to gloat a little, after working for over 25 years in the pest control field – I have only been stung twice to my recollection.

Bees, beeswax, honeycomb and prevention!

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Did you know that Africanized Honeybees swarm up to 10x’s as often as the European Honeybees. So is there anything that can be done to protect and possible discourage honeybees from taking up residence in your building. Once you kill the bees the honey, beeswax and honeycomb often times remain and can cost untold amounts of money. So sometimes you can be proactive and help yourself tremendously.

The Cone Style Trap is a large “flower pot” style container that is made from wood pulp. The general idea here is to place these units in an area known to get swarms, the bees will scout out the swarm box and take up residence thus preventing  the swarm going to a structure. ** Nothing can make the bees go to this box, they must find it. There is no guarantee that the bees will not choose your structure. Depending on the footprint of your building and property, it would be wise to add a number of these strategically located to ensure that the bees find one.

I always suggest that you contact a Pest Management Professionals for Africanized Honeybees, once aggravated its hard to go back and start over!

Successful hotel or apartment honeybee to bat experts.

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Successful hotel or apartment honeybee to bat experts.

 

Many companies are excellent at doing pest control but may not have the ability or knowledge to accomplish certain out of the range pest control. Case in point:

  • Large 8 story hotel had bats – ProBest Pest Management – handled and solved the problem. Case closed…
  • Africanized honeybees between 3rd and 4th floor of another large hotel – eliminated bees and caulked/sealed the openings. Case closed…
  • 2 story building – Africanized honeybees. Treated and issue completed. Case closed…
  • Large hotel/restaurant bats in attic – night job, exclude bats and clean up bat guano. 19 bags of guano, sealed entrances – no entry for bats. Case closed…

ProBest Pest Management is often referred by the Arizona Extension Office and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, we are knowledgeable and experienced. If your pest control professional is unsure or just can’t handle the job – “Call a Pro… Call the Best. ProBest!

Bumpin Bees!

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Bumpin Bees!

 

OK so you think the writer has finally lost his marbles, but wrong you would bee. I was talking to a customer today in my office and he has worked around some bees at his home for years, they live in a block wall on his property. Every once in awhile one bee might actually sting someone but for the most part, he is OK with them and they must be OK with him. Africanized Bees will tolerate humans but you must respect them as well. Noise or vibration can and will trigger them to sting  and depending on their time at that location they have become accustomed to the noise around that home. I have heard of people hiking the desert and getting bumped by bees, it is a sign that you might be to close to their hive.

Aggressive behavior begins as bees pelting (physically bumping) a perceived threat (including humans) and may escalate to stinging should the perceived threat (including humans) persist. National Park Service Africanized Honeybee Fact Sheet

Don’t panic when you see bees, they may be catching a drink from a pond or gathering nectar. Just always be aware of your surroundings and be ready to react.

To Bee or not to Bee? What was the question? Bee Control

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To Bee or not to Bee? What was the question?

                                  

Usually after arriving at a home we discuss with the homeowner just how long the bees have been there. Sometimes they have no idea and sometimes they indicate just a recent event. The important issue is how long because if the hive is large the issue grows and can become a huge issue. OK small hive not a real problem, not much honey and not much by way of honeycomb = little to no bugs. But here is where the issue becomes a problem, big hive = lots of honey and honeycomb which equals a huge bug problem sometimes.

I hate to damage a wall or home just to get to the honeycomb, but sometimes it is just plain and simply something you must do! Today was this event, the homeowner noticed a lot of flying moth type critters and I quickly surmised that they were wax moths  after she explained that we were just there a month or so ago. The Wax Moth is a very destructive insect pest in the beehive. The adult moth is a heavy bodied small moth about ½” to ¾” long, wings vary in color from grayish to brown and the underside is light gray. Often after a colony is killed the wax moths will invade and lay eggs and the larva will then start to demolish the honeycomb. This also happens within a bee hive if it succumbs to something that could weaken the colony.

So the question is – Do you have to open the wall or not? Sometimes and sometime not!

My point is that it isn’t always required to remove the old honeycomb depending on the age and numbers of bees involved. Sometimes it is also impossible to get to the left over colony and you may have to put up with the consequences.

Let’s talk about Honeybees!

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Let’s talk about Honeybees!

Let’s talk about the Africanized version of the Honeybee

  • Africanized bees swarm more often, up to 10x.
  • A swarm isn’t likely to be real aggressive – don’t take chances. The reason for this is that they are full of honey and they are not defending anything yet.
  • A swarm is looking for a home – they send out scouts looking for a home and they probably will move on.
  • It is possible to relocate them if they are in  a tree or bush, not easy I said it was possible.

Notice the last picture, they have started to build honeycomb. This would make them more aggressive! Remember what I said previously in other home seals – It is impossible to set the bees make to zero or do over once they are mad….

OK so why tell you this, because there is no reason to panic. If you noticed a swarm, wait they may move on and this will save you money on hiring a Pest Management Professional. Now you notice I said hire a Pest Management Professional – that’s because we have bee suits and we understand bees.

 

When bee’s attack – true story…

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When bee’s attack – true story…

Africanized bee’s are not the friendliest and nicest of the bees we have in Arizona, but this story raised my antenna.

Read this story from the International Business Times Africanized Bees: Aggressive Insects Attack Beekeeper in Tennessee.

According to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, a horde of partially Africanized bees attacked one Tennessee beekeeper a few months ago. A cloud of about 100,000 streamed from a hive and surrounded the man, who ran and jumped into his car. It was five minutes before the swarm gave up its pursuit. The beekeeper, who was wearing protective gear, suffered about 30 stings.

This was an experienced veteran bee keeper, thank goodness he had a bee suit on, or he could have been a dead bee keeper. Bee work in Arizona is not – IS NOT a DIY or Do It Yourself job. Don’t kid yourself, because if you start a job and the bees become nasty there is no shut off switch. You cannot dial them back to nice, they may attack everything in the neighborhood including children, pets and anyone just out having a good time.

Stops the Sting!

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Stops the Sting!

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olPKnxut7ys]

 

ProBest Pest Management carries this great tool, I think every parent should carry this in their car, purse and have it in case of a sting or bite.

Well it finally happened – Bed Bugs are mating with Africanized Bee’s in Arizona..

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Well it finally happened – Bed Bugs are mating with Africanized Killer Bees in Arizona..

New research has found that “Killer Bee’s” has recently been observed mating with the Bed Bug. This research was done by the Ministry of Bugsearch at the University of South Mexico. If this new specimen is introduced into the United States it could have devastating consequences for all animals and humans. U.S. Border Agents  have stopped numerous pests this year at the borders and agricultural stations. Dr. Novell University of South Mexico was quite concerned and worried that this mutant bug could attack and suck the blood and sting cattle, horses and possibly humans.

April’s Fools day – did I get you?

Maybe it’s a great idea for a new movie – mutant Bed Bug Bee’s Attack!

The weather is swarmer and bringing out the swarmers…

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The weather is swarmer and bringing out the swarmers…  Africanized Bees that is!

Wow we have had at least 12 calls in the last few days on bees swarming, so I thought a little bee information should be spread.

  1. Africanized Honeybees (AHB) aka “Killer Bees” look just like European Honeybees (EHB).
  2. (AHB) swarm frequently up to 10 times more often than (EHB).
  3. (AHB) more aggressive, respond in greater numbers, will pursue for 1/4 mile and possibly wait for you if you jump into water.
  4. (AHB) are probably not mean per se, they are just more prone or sensitive  to noises or vibrations.
  5. (AHB) can remain agitated  for over a hour and may attack any curious bystander or pet.
  6. The American Medical Association (AMA) says that 7 stings per pound can be lethal, but remember 1 sting can kill you if you are allergic.
  7. If you are hiking, (AHB) will bump you sometimes to let you know you may be close to their hive/colony.
  8. Just like any unforeseen pest, anything can be dangerous and deadly but so far only 5 human deaths (AZ) can be connected to (AHB).
  9. Check your home monthly for sign of pests and if you see bees call a Pest Management Professional – this IS NOT a Do It Yourself option!
  10. If you decide to DIY – the number to call is 911 or  Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222

Rodney doing a little bee work…

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