Many have heard the term ‘Africanized bees,’ sometimes also called killer 
bees, but what does that mean? Bees are commonly found around Florida during the warmer spring and summer months, but some important distinctions need to be made between Africanized bees and their standard honey bee counterparts.
What Are They?
Africanized honey bees are hybrid species made up of African bees and the traditional honey bees that are native to North America. This happened as a result of a honey bee breeding program in Brazil during the 1950s. The goal was to combine the warm weather hardiness of African bees with the honey production of European bees. A portion of these hybrid bees escaped into the wild and rapidly spread through South America and into North America.
How Do They Differ from Normal Bees?
Aside from their ability to thrive in warm climates, Africanized honey bees are different from normal honey bees in many ways. The most notable difference is their aggressive nature. Honey bees will typically only attack if provoked or if their hive is encroached on, but Africanized bees will often attack if you simply wander too close to their hive. They also attack in larger numbers than honey bees, lending to their nickname as ‘killer’ bees. They have the same amount of venom as other bees, but their swarming is what makes them so dangerous.
Are the Bees on My Property Africanized?
There is no way to tell if a bee is Africanized just by looking at it. The only way to tell for sure is if it’s inspected by an expert in a lab. With that being said, if you have bees on your property that are proving to be a nuisance to you and your family, it is always best to call a professional removal service to relocate them where they can thrive in peace safely. Bees are critical to our ecosystem, so we avoid killing them when possible.
Critter Control® is pleased to offer the most effective bee removal services in the area. If bees have begun to take over your property, our experienced wildlife technicians can help. Contact us today at 305-258-3587 to schedule your home consultation.