In 2017, Florida was officially designated as an Africanized bee state, which means the population of these creatures is on the rise. Often called killer bees, you’ve probably heard multiple media reports of people being stung. In 2013, two park rangers were hospitalized after accidentally disturbing a nest. Both were stung at least a hundred times. Just last year, a University of South Florida student was stung ten times when she unwittingly passed a nest. Few passersby were willing to help. What are killer bees? Understanding these creatures and how to handle them is absolutely key to residents of Florida today.
The Difference Between Killer Bees and Bees
Killer bees are actually Africanized honey bees. They’re incredibly defensive, and the moment they suspect human invasion, they begin to defend themselves. They’re actually the same species as the European honey bee, and they can only sting once. What’s more, though, is that it’s tough to tell the difference between these bees and other kinds of bees just by looking at them. They both forage for nectar, and they will both sting you if you get too close. The biggest difference between the two is that Africanized honey bees are more willing to build their nests anywhere because they’re a bit unpredictable.
Where Do They Nest?
These bees will nest in a number of different locations. If you have a lumber pile in your yard, old tires, or lots of outbuildings, you could find a nest there. They’ll nest in manholes, water meters, or other utility infrastructures. They’ll even nest in your chimney or crawl space. Abandoned vehicles are usually a hotspot on people’s property, as are any places with holes.
What Do You Do If You Get Stung?
If you encounter a swarm, run. Spraying someone with a garden hose or jumping in a pool isn’t going to help. Running will actually help. Try to find an enclosed location like a car or a building. After the sting, you need to get the stingers out as soon as possible. Use a blunt object like a credit card. Removing the stinger helps to stop the venom. Wash the sting with soap and water, and apply ice. If you get more than ten stings or you begin to experience any signs of an allergic reaction like hives or difficulty breathing, go to the emergency room right away.
Bee Prevention Tips You Need Now
There are a number of things you can do to prevent the bees from nesting in your yard or around your home. First, remove any potential nesting site. If you have gaps larger than 1/8” in the walls of your home or any outbuilding, be sure you seal them immediately. If you need some gaps, like those in vents or rain spouts, cover them with screens. You may also want to cover the cavities in trees and fence posts, as well as those around your water meter and utility boxes in your home with a screen.
During peak bee season, which is usually March to July, be ready to look for the bees. Inspect your property weekly. If you see any unusual activity like bees flying into the ground or a great number of bees, stay away. Also, keep in mind that it doesn’t take much to disturb one of these nests. Instead, something as simple as mowing your lawn could do it, as they can feel the vibrations as much as thirty feet away, so remain as aware as possible.
Whether it’s Africanized honey bees, wasps, or any other stinging insect, bee and wasp removal by professionals is a must. If you need to get rid of bees of any type or any other pests on your property, contact Slug-A-Bug today.