Learning Center – Bees

 

The European honey bee, also known as the common or western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is so named because it produces large amounts of honey. The honey bee is not native to North America, but was brought here with the first colonists. The honey bee is now distributed worldwide.

Wild European honey bee nests are found in hollow trees or man-made structures. Managed colonies are often kept in wooden hives. Flowers in meadows, open woods,bee2 agricultural areas, and yards and gardens are visited by worker bees.

Africanized honeybees (AHB) – sometimes called “killer bees” – became established in Texas in 1990 and are spreading to other states including Utah.

The Africanized honeybee is related to our state’s familiar honeybee (the European honeybee) that produces honey and pollinates our crops. The two types of bees look the same and their behavior is similar in many respects. Each bee can sting only once, and there is no difference between Africanized honeybee venom and that of a European honeybee. However, Africanized honeybees are less predictable and more defensive than European honeybees. They are more likely to defend a greater area around their nest and respond faster and in greater numbers than European honeybees.

In other words, Africanized honeybees are more likely to sting than European ones, but learning about AHB and taking certain precautions can lower your risk of injury.

Nest sites include empty boxes, cans, buckets, or other containers; old tires; infrequently 20130515_085151used vehicles; lumber piles; holes and cavities in fences, trees, or sprinkler valve boxes; sheds, garages and other outbuildings; and low decks or spaces under buildings.

 

As a general rule, stay away from all honeybee swarms and colonies. If bees are encountered, get away quickly. If you are stung, try to protect your face and eyes as much as possible and run away from the area. Take shelter in a car or building. Hiding in water or thick brush does not offer enough protection. Do not stand and swat at the bees; this will only cause them to sting. (www.gabeekeeping.com/Forms/AfricanizedHB_facts)

If for any reason you feel like you have bees in your home, yard or other structures around your home please call so we can come and assess the situation and help in any way   possible.

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