Killer bees are a serious problem, especially around Florida. Some bees are more docile, but killer bees are aggressive and attack in the tens of thousands when disturbed. Unlike most bees, swarms will also follow you far from the hive. They have been known to kill even fully grown adults. Where do killer bees come from and how can you identify if you have a killer bee problem?
Size Differences
What are killer bees? Killer bees are actually the result of a genetic experiment that bred multiple bee types together in Brazil last century. They broke loose 60 years ago and have only become more problematic and dangerous since.
Killer bees are therefore very similar in size and appearance to normal European and Western honey bees. Only an expert will be able to accurately determine the root of your bee problem.
Aggression Will Tip You Off
Most honey bees forage far from the hive, but won’t engage people far from the hive. They’ll typically mind their own business and will only engage in numbers within about 20 yards of the hive.
Killer bees will engage within about 120 yards of the hive, and in greater numbers. If you spy a swarm of dozens or hundreds of bees flying free when no hive is near, chances are there is a killer bee hive in the area. Do not look for it yourself to confirm. The worst case scenario is your actually finding the hive. Killer bees respond in the tens of thousands if the hive is disturbed. They are capable of killing you.
Weather Habits
Killer bees are more likely to forage when it’s cold and cloudy out. They may even forage in light rain, or at sunrise or sunset. These are not normal foraging times for European honey bees. If you regularly see bees practicing these habits, there’s a good chance they’re killer bees.
Above or Below?
Normal honey bees will typically nest above ground, higher up where it’s dry. They prefer recesses and cavities in which they can build a hive. Killer bees may nest lower to the ground, or even in underground recesses. Killer bees can tolerate these conditions better. If you have an underground beehive or a hive that’s exposed without protection above ground, there’s a good chance it’s filled with killer bees.
To get rid of killer bees in Melbourne, contact a professional bee removal service. Slug-A-Bug has experience and equipment that make us able to safely engage killer bees in ways that keep you and your family safe. Do not seek out or engage killer bees yourself. Our bee evaluations are free. Take advantage of them to assess whether you have a problem or not. Slug-A-Bug practices safe bee control on both killer bees and less dangerous varieties alike.