The Extension Service is starting to receive numerous calls on bee swarms. Since the Africanized Honey Bee has been found in Fort Bend County, many area residents are asking our County Agent to make an identification. Africanized Honey Bees can not be identified just by observation alone. The appearance of the regular honey bees and the Africanized strain is virtually identical. A specimen must be sent to the lab at Texas A & M for a proper entomologist identification.
Some Facts You Should Know About Africanized Honey Bees
- They look and sting like any other bee.
- They defend their hives more aggressively. This means they will pursue potential offenders for a longer distance, and will attack in larger number (about 10 times that of the domestic bee.)
If Attacked by Bees
- Do Not wave your arms and swat at the bees.
- Run away as fast as you can, and seek the shelter of a car, house, or heavy brush.
At the Extension Office, we have only receive a fractional percentage of calls that could indeed indicate Africanized Honey Bee activity. Most people call when bees are swarming and building new hives in urban areas. The Extension Service does not offer exterminating assistance, however, we do keep a list of exterminators who are licensed to deal with Africanized Honey Bees. We also have protective suits that do-it-yourselfers can check out. A home mixture that appears to be effective is: One cup of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid to one gallon of water.
This mixture should be used in a sprayer with a very fine mist setting. Once the bees are gently sprayed with the mixture, they generally will just fall to the ground and die. No guarantees that you won't get stung; and this is not an effective treatment for wasps or hornets! Another thing to remember is that beekeepers are often looking for swarms for their hives. The Extension office does keep a list of beekeepers who are actively seeking swarms. The swarms must be in a easy-to-reach place, (not in walls, or 20 feet in a tree, or in any place that could endanger the public if the bees were uncooperative). Note: Fort Bend County bees must stay in Fort Bend County since the area is quarantined.
Important Numbers to Remember:
- For Life Threatening Bee Emergencies call 911. An example of life threatening is if there is a hive that is located on a school playground and attacking children, or bees are actually coming into your home.
- For Non-Life Threatening and Non-Emergencies call Animal Control at 281-342-1512. Emergency Management at 281-341-4438. An example of a Non-Life Threatening instance would be if people are trapped but not in immediate danger of being attacked by bees.
- For more information on bees, list of local beekeepers and local exterminators, beekeeping, or local honey producers, contact Texas AgriLife Extension Service - Horticulture Administrative Assistant - Dalia Sister at 281-633-7029.
Note** We also have beekeepers that will give presentations to your schools or community groups. These Beekeepers are members of Fort Bend County's Beekeepers Association.