Africanized Honey Bees in
Riverside?
Domesticated European Honey Bees have always
been a part of our environment. However, with the arrival of Africanized
Honey Bees (popularly known as "Killer Bees") people are very concerned
about coexisting with bees. Here are some helpful tips you should keep in
mind to "Bee safe" during the summer months.
General Information
Africanized and European Honey Bees
look the same, so try to stay away from all bees. Africanized Bees only
swarm when they are starting a new colony or reacting defensively to a
perceived threat.
Africanized Bees are not comfortable around people
or animals, so any disturbance near their hive puts them on immediate
alert.
Bee Safe This Summer
Bee
trouble happens when humans stumble onto an Africanized Bee hive. The
Africanized Bee is a wild bee that will set up a nesting site in:
- Cracks in Buildings
- Trees
- Underneath Mobile Homes
- Flower Pots
- Old Tires
- Playground Equipment
- Woodpiles
- Barns and Sheds
Take Some Common
Sense Precautions at Home
- Make a "bee patrol" around your home (listen for the sound of bees
in the air) once or twice a week during the swarming season (normally
the Spring and Fall).
- Bee proof your home by filling in potential nesting sites such as
tree cavities and holes in outside walls.
- Put screens on the tops of rain spouts and over water meter boxes in
the ground and remove piles of trash and junk.
- Inspect pens and barns where animals are confined or leashed.
- Inspect areas before mowing or operating other machinery. The
vibration and exhaust from machines can disturb the beehive and bees
will respond by attacking.
Who and When to Call
If
you discover a bee colony, don't disturb it. Seek shelter in a building
or car. If the beehive is located on City Property, please call
787-7911 and the Public Works Department will respond.
Call
911 for Multiple Bee Stings and Fire and Police units will be dispatched.
If it is determined that the bees are Africanized Bees, the Public Works
Department will arrange for immediate extermination.
For more
information on Africanized Bees, visit http://agnews.tamu.edu/bees/home.htm
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©2001 City of Riverside, California, Dept. of Public Works
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