Africanized Honeybees Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Arizona Pest Control - Pest Management Services

All posts in “Africanized Honeybees”

Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

Comments Off

Successful strategies to prepare your home for winter:

The key in my book is to keep an eye out throughout the year. If Africanized Honeybee’s have taken up residence and you didn’t notice it for a year you will have more problems because of the time involved to build more colony and honey storage. So here is my list:

Check your home outside for any holes that may have developed over the past year – seal them, I suggest copper wool (won’t rust) or steel wool. Check for signs of termites, such as termite tubes or tunnels or damage. This can also be damage from water as well.
Check inside your home, look for baseboard or paint that seems to be cracked or crinkled which might suggest termite activity.
Only bring in enough firewood that you will use immediately, firewood can bring in pests like spiders, beetles or termites.
Repair any screens that have been damaged.
The winter is also a great time to check your attic, it’s cooler. Check for animal signs like feces or nesting materials. Check the roof for signs of water staining or damage, if capable check the roof from the outside – check shingles or tiles for any damage.
If this is a cabin, drain the water lines and clean up. This will allow you to notice things on your return visit, remember HantaVirus and the clean up procedures.
Now is also a good time to call your local Pest Management Professional for an inspection, especially here in Arizona because of the monsoon and the rains which make termites more active.

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

Comments Off

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!

Comments Off

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.

Is it really worth your LIFE? Africanized Bees!

Comments Off

Click to read the story Bees attack Tucson man trying to kill swarm and by the way if you’re in Tucson call our friends at http://www.azpest.com/

When bee’s attack – true story…

1 Comment

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.

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

Comments Off

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…

Comments Off

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.

Africanized Honeybees (AHB) aka “Killer Bees” look just like European Honeybees (EHB).
(AHB) swarm frequently up to 10 times more often than (EHB).
(AHB) more aggressive, respond in greater numbers, will pursue for 1/4 mile and possibly wait for you if you jump into water.
(AHB) are probably not mean per se, they are just more prone or sensitive to noises or vibrations.
(AHB) can remain agitated for over a hour and may attack any curious bystander or pet.
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.
If you are hiking, (AHB) will bump you sometimes to let you know you may be close to their hive/colony.
Just like any unforeseen pest, anything can be dangerous and deadly but so far only 5 human deaths (AZ) can be connected to (AHB).
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!
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…

Even the Bees get respect in Arizona!!

1 Comment

Even the Bees get respect in Arizona!! (Tonto Natural Bride, Payson, AZ)

Africanized bees get their name killer bees because they will viciously attack people and animals who unwittingly stray into their territory, often resulting in serious injury or death. They are similar in appearance to European Honeybees, the problem is that they respond with more numbers and often times will follow greater distances and that’s what get people into trouble.

As the weather is quite enjoyable these days and you decide to go out walking and the bees start bumping you it’s their way of telling you that you are in their territory. Stop, think and retreat.

If your thinking of hiking in the desert in Arizona, don’t wear perfume and don’t wear dark cloths.

If you notice a swarm on a tree, bush in your yard – the swarm will probably move on. If they don’t, call a Professional – Trust me on this one!!

If you see them going in and out of your home, call a Pest Management Professional.

Don’t panic if you see bees, they are important to life on our planet. We need them! If you are stung call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Arizona has some unique bugs, have you seen any?

1 Comment

Arizona has some unique bugs, have you seen any?

Any guesses on this one? Comment below!

Most places have bugs/insect/wildlife that are native to their environment and Arizona is no different since we are a desert. A lot of people think we are extremely hot all the time and that is far from the truth. Here is the Wikipedia definition of the Sonoran Desert.

The Sonoran Desert includes 60 mammal species, 350 bird species, 20 amphibian species, over 100 reptile species, 30 native fish species, over 1000 native bee species, and more than 2000 native plant species. The Sonora Desert area southwest of Tucson and near the Mexican border is vital habitat for the only population of Jaguars living within the United States.

^{Here is a field guide to the “Nature Study in the Sonoran Desert”.}