Does the honey bee have an evil twin?
Honey bees
are beneficial insects that everyone should protect. By pollinating plants, they help people grow vegetables, nuts and fruit. This friendly bug also creates the delicious honey that we enjoy adding to many foods. It will only sting you if it feels threatened. However, this bee has an aggressive cousin that arrived in Texas during the early 1990s.
Although some people call them “killer bees,” Africanized honey bees cause very few deaths. They don’t fly faster or have stronger venom than other species, according to the Houston Beekeepers Association. Nonetheless, these insects won’t hesitate to use their stingers. They can attack in large swarms and sting repeatedly. People with venom allergies must avoid them at all costs.
If honey bees begin stinging you, it’s best to escape as quickly as possible. Texas A&M reports that some colonies contain up to 90,000 insects, so it doesn’t make sense to kill attacking bees. The only way you can satisfy them is to run away. You might pacify an irate dog by standing still, but insects have different motives. They simply want you to leave the area.
Differences
You should exercise caution if you know that a certain hive houses an Africanized colony. Unfortunately, most people lack the expertise and equipment needed to identify honey bee species. An entomologist can use one of several techniques. It’s possible to determine the species by putting a bee in a microscope or analyzing its DNA. Another method involves precisely measuring multiple insects from the same colony.
Likewise, it isn’t always easy to identify Africanized bees by observing their behavior because they normally perform the same tasks as their friendlier counterparts. Some colonies even contain a mixture of Africanized and European insects. “Killer bees” prefer hot climates and may die during the winter, according to the Smithsonian Institution. All honey bees expire when they use their stingers.
Taking Action
If unwanted bees put your health at risk, the entomologists and pest control specialists at ABC Home & Commercial Services can provide expert assistance. We’ll identify the species and take appropriate action to protect your family. You can trust our knowledgeable staff to remove bees in an efficient way that minimizes harm to the ecosystem. For further details, please call the Bryan-College Station office at 979-361-0500 or visit us online.