Killer bees are on the way; UF/IFAS hosting workshop for willing bee killers

By Audrey Blackwell, Okeechobee News

In preparation for the onslaught of Africanized Honey Bees to the area,
formerly dubbed "killer bees," the University of Florida/IFAS Extension is
hosting a workshop Friday, Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. until noon at the St. Lucie
County Extension office’s Hurricane House.

The workshop is for pest control professionals, law enforcement officers and
emergency first responders.

Dan Culbert, county extension agent in Okeechobee, said they are looking for
some local people who would be willing to be first responders in case the
very aggressive Africanized Honey Bees are on someone’s property and the
nest needs to be destroyed.

"Our goal is to get a few knowledgeable people to be first responders for
these bees," he said.

Mr. Hayes said that the Africanized bees probably will not attack someone
who is just standing on their patio, but they become aggressive and
defensive when defending their home. He said they would attack those who are
camping or hiking in the woods, and they may build their nests in a barbeque
grill, mailbox, upside down empty flower pot or other outside container.

The Africanized Honey Bee is about the same size as the gentle European bee
— only about 1 to 2 percent smaller, said Mr. Hayes.

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