Safety and Prevention

1 . If you are attacked by Africanize bees, what should you do?

Run away. The bees will follow you some distance but eventually give up the chase. (DO NOT stand and try to fend them off!) Get into a closed vehicle or building. Close the door behind you even if some bees are still following you. It is better to have 10 bees follow you inside than 1,000 after you outside.

2 . What are the beekeepers best defense against Africanized bees?

A methodical requeening program with queens of favorable characteristics should be used to maintain gentle managed bee colonies. A high density of European colonies slows the spread of Africanized colonies.

3 . What is the worst thing that can happen in our defense against the spread of Africanized bees?

State or local ordinances banning beekeeping. This removes local beekeepers, which are our only source of gentle stock.