Africanized Honey Bee Emergency Response

http://afbee.ifas.ufl.edu

Africanized Honey Bees

W. H. Kern Jr.

Africanized Honey Bees• Same species as the European

Honey Bee

• The sting has the same toxicity as the European Honey Bee

• European Honey Bees have been domesticated/much less aggressive

• AHB and EHB can not be told apart by looking at them

Where did they come from?

• In 1600’s European settlers brought Honey Bees to the U.S. because they were economically beneficial (pollinate 1/3 of overall food supply), and due to their gentle nature.

• In 1956, Brazil bred European Honey Bees with African Honey Bees because they were better suited for tropical conditions.

Where did they come from?

• Researchers expected that when mated with European Honey Bees the African Honey Bee would loss their defensive nature (aggression). They were wrong!

• In 1957, 26 African Queen Bees escaped from a breeding program.

• The Africanized Honey Bees became established and expanded their range.

Where are they now?

• Throughout South and Central America migrating North.

• First reports in U.S. in Hidalgo, Texas in 1990. Now throughout Southern U.S.

Where are they now?

• Unfortunately eradication of AHB is not keeping up with their reproduction.

• Found in Florida in the Central and South regions expanding rapidly. One death in Florida reported and several separate attacks.

Difference Between European and African Honey Bee

Colonies

Why are African Honey Bees Aggressive

• Environmental genetic mutation adapting to their hostile environment.

• Reproduce extremely fast, and divide when home is too small for the group.

• Very defensive in nature to protect their home where they raise their young, produce wax, and honey.

Why are African Honey Bees Aggressive

• Africanized Honey Bees are attracted to Carbon Dioxide as with Mammals, and see them as a predator.

• The first few “scout” bees check out the “Predator” and if threatened sting the predator.

• The stinger releases an “Alarm Pheromone” that signals the other bees to attack.

Why are African Honey Bees Aggressive

• European Honey Bees only send a few scouts and are not threatened easily. You must dramatically disturb their home.

• The Africanized Honey Bee only needs to smell a predator nearby, feel vibrations, sense movement, or smell strong odors to alarm them and place them in defensive mode.

Why are African Honey Bees Aggressive

• European Honey Bees do not release Alarm Pheromones. Usually only a few bees try to warn off the predator.

• In the Africanized Honey Bee, alarm pheromones can cause nearly the entire home (hive) to attack the predator.

• Swatting at AHB will cause a more defensive nature, and others to attack.

10 Times as Far and 10 Times as Many

EHB

AHB

300 yds. (m)

30 yds. (m)

EHBs Show Little Aggression

UF/IFAS

AHBs on the Attack

UF/IFAS

Stinger Density

Swarms• Are a way for colonies to divide when they

get too large for the hive location• The old queen and some of the workers

leave the old colony to found a new colony at a new location.

• These bees are not defensive because they do not have resources (honey and babies) to defend.

• Even Africanized bees are not very defensive at this stage.

Swarms Are Not Aggressive

UF/IFAS

Swarm of Africanized Honey Bees

W. H. Kern Jr.

Bee Colonies

• EHB usually need some type of cavity to create a home (Hive). Rarely are they found hanging off an object.

• AHB do not need a cavity (although prefer one) to create a “comb” (hive) and may be found hanging from small branches.

AHB Aerial Nest

When comb is present

expect bees to be VERY

DEFENSIVE. This is not a

swarm!New Port Richey, FLW. H. Kern Jr.

2 month old AHB Aerial Nest

W. H. Kern Jr.

PPE• Bee suit with zippered veil and bee gloves.

• Bunker gear with Bee veil taped around edge of veil with Fire fighters gloves.

• Chemical spill Tyvek suit with bee veil and double layers of latex gloves.

• Brush land suit, veil and gloves.

• Always –eye protection glasses, goggles, or face shield under veil so bees cannot spray venom through veil into your eyes.

PPE• If using Tyvek suits use larger than normal

size to create a space between you and the suit. AHB need to grab and press stinger into you.

• The “slicker” the fabric the less likely the bee can hang on and sting through the material.

• Bees cannot sting through Bunker Gear, but will try to find openings.

PPE• If using a Bee veil wear a ball cap to keep

the netting away from your face when moving or from the wind. Use duct tape on the edge of the veil.

• If necessary to use “ambulance” gloves use a double set.

• If stung in gear DO NOT remove, more bees outside.

• Scrap stingers off bunker gear and wash.

Field Testing PPE

UF/IFAS

Bee suits with zippered veil and bee gloves are the best protection.

Chemical spill suit with bee veil and taped cuffs over gloves

UF/IFAS

Sting Shield and bill cap with Bunker /Turnout gear

UF/IFAS

Secure the bottom edge of jacket with a belt or duct tape keep bees from climbing up

under the jacket. Sleeve cuffs are

usually effective at keeping bees out.

UF/IFAS

This configuration provided adequate protection, but limits vision and was hot

and cumbersome. Have absolutely no skin exposed.

Do not wear a helmet if it is safe to do so, because bees will get under helmet and be carried to the engine or ambulance .

UF/IFAS

911- “Bee Sting” Situation Evaluation

• Is someone being stung now?

• How many victims? Are they trapped?

• Location of Victim and the Bee Colony

• Call back number – can you drive to victim?

• Are there any schools, day care centers, nursing homes, or businesses within 300 yards?

In Route to a Stinging Incident

Everyone that will get out of any rescue vehicles within 100 yds of the stinging incident must put on PPE, including gloves, bee veils or face masks and hoods. AHB will attack anyone within 150 feet or more of a disturbed colony.

On Site Situation Evaluation

• Turn off Lights and Siren prior to approaching the victims location.

• From inside closed Recon vehicle (Pickup)– Identify location of all victims.– Is this a swarm or a colony with comb?– Try to identify the location of the bee colony.

On Site Situation Evaluation

• Stage engine about 150 feet from the victim and bee colony (Pre-Connect Hoses).

• Stage ambulance at least 150 yards away from situation.

• DO NOT leave vehicle without protective gear!!

Staging for Rescue

150 ft.

150+ yards

• Locate all victims

• Locate bee colony

• Direct rescue efforts

• Evacuate victim

Recon vehicle should be as close as possible

MS ClipArt

MS ClipArt

UF HBREL

Bee Sting Threat Triage

• Is there one victim or multiple victims being stung and unable to escape the bees?

• Are there any victims in a building or a vehicle?• Was the cause of the attack a swarm or from an

agitated colony (Hive, Comb)?• Is the Colony close to where people are working

or playing (true emergency)?• Is the Colony present on property, not near

people (non-emergency)?

Priorities/Goals

1. Remove victims from the bees and colony. Use fastest method possible. Placing in the back of a pickup truck and driving away from the colony. Shoot foam on patient to kill bees.

2. If possible control victim and bees by foaming both immediately, then attack the hive with foam on site.

Priorities/Goals

3. Move the bee-free victim to the ambulance, wash off foam.

4. Neutralize the threat to the public by destroying (foam) the defensive colony or quarantine the area to protect the public (300 yards radius).

Warn Bystanders• Advise the people in homes and businesses

neighboring the incident, to remain indoors and bring in pets until the incident is concluded and the colony is eliminated.

• Swarms will rarely become defensive, but an agitated colony may attack anyone within 150 ft and will follow for as much as 300 yards.

• Advise schools, day care centers, nursing homes, recreation centers within 300 yds of the incident to keep everyone indoors until advised that it is safe. Don’t forget to tell them afterwards.

Subduing Bee Attacks

UF / IFAS

Choice of Foam• AFFF – Aqueous Film-Forming Foam is

best, F500 foam is equal to AFFF.

• Class A Foam is an acceptable substitute at 2-5%.

• AFFF/F500 foam kills bees within 60 sec and knocks them down immediately by wetting them.

• Plain water will only knock bees off temporarily and will not normally kill them.

Honey Bee mortality after 1 minute

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20

40

60

80

100

120

Profoam Class A Class B Publixsoap

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Research Recommendations

• F500 Foam• 1 3/4 “ pre-connect hose line• 200 psi at 95 GPM• F500 foam using a full fog pattern,

straight stream to kill hive

Approach Recommendations

• F500 Foam• A quick attack 1-3/4" hose line will be

pulled and hooked to the apparatus F500 foam system. The hose line will be pulled by the firefighter at a quick pace towards the affected patient, with a full fog pattern on the nozzle -- sweeping the air surrounding the firefighters and patient.

¾” line with integrated foam equipment using Class A foam

Ambulance Waiting 150 yards away

UF / IFAS

UF / IFAS

Transport the Victim to the Ambulance

• Do not have the Ambulance come into the incident area unless the crew has appropriate Personal Protection Equipment, especially veils.

• While transporting the victim to the ambulance, try to brush or wash away as many of the bees as possible from the victim and the rescuers. This will protect the crew and make it easier for them to treat the patient.

Securing the Scene• After the victims have been evacuated, the

defensive AHB Colony must be destroyed.• AHB will continue to be highly defensive

for up to 24 hours after the initial disturbance. They will attack any person or pet within 150 feet of the colony site.

• Pest control professionals are usually not prepared to subdue an agitated, highly defensive bee colony.

• Destroying an agitated colony is essential for public safety.

Danger Zones

150 ft150 yds.

Securing the Scene• The F500 will kill the AHB within

approximately 60 seconds of contact.

• The F500 will be used to kill the colony after patients have been rescued. The same sweeping motion will be used to approach the bee colony completely flooding the hive with the F500 hose line.

• Other foams will kill honey bees if F500 is not available, just not as well.

Securing the Scene• Option One.

– Find and destroy the defensive colony with foam if possible. (colonies in trees, bushes, debris, non-electrical location, playground equipment, etc.)

• Option Two– Quarantine the site, asking people to stay

inside and bring pets inside until a licensed pest management professional arrives to kill the colony with insecticides. (especially colonies inside buildings or electrical equipment)

Treating the Patient• Bees leave behind a

stinger attached to a venom sac. Do not try to pull it out, as this may release more venom. Gently scrape it out with a blunt-edged object, such as a fingernail, credit card, or dull knife. Wash the area with soap and water. www.pennhealth.com/ ency/article/000033.htm

First Aid

• Apply a cold or ice pack, wrapped in cloth for a few minutes. Apply a paste of baking soda and water and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, treat with a “sting swab” or dab on a bit of household ammonia. Take acetaminophen for pain.– HealthDayNews - ScoutNews LLC

First Aid

The three greatest risks from insect stings are

1. allergic reaction, which could be fatal in less than 30 minutes,

2. toxic response from a massive envenomation, 5-10 stings / lb. body wt. is potentially lethal.

3. infection, which is more common and normally less serious.

First aid prior to arrival

• Symptoms: watch for allergic reaction:

– Large areas of swelling – Abnormal breathing – Tightness in throat or chest – Dizziness – Hives – Fainting – Nausea or vomiting – Persistent pain or swelling

Treatment

• If anaphylaxis without hypotension: – If wheezing, administer Albuterol 2.5-5 mg via

nebulizer – May repeat PRN– Administer Diphenhydramine 25 mg IV/IM– Consider Methylprednisolone (Solu-medrol) 125

mg IV– Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM/IV

Treatment• Anaphylaxis with hypotension:

– If wheezing - administer Albuterol 2.5-5 mg via nebulizer, may repeat PRN

– Administer Normal Saline bolus of 20 mL/Kg to maintain systolic BP greater than 90 mm Hg

– Administer Diphenhydramine 25-50 mg IV/IM– Administer Methylprednisolone 125 mg IV – Administer Epinephrine 1 mg in 10mL IVP

every 3 minutes to a total of 5 mg over 15 minutes

AHB and Our Profession• You may never have to rescue a victim

from a large defensive colony in your entire career.

• AHB colonies in trees impacted by vehicles and inside structures, may become common hazards in Florida.

• AHB colonies in public playgrounds, parks, and schools may be added to your scope of work.

Questions?Contact Dr. Bill Kern Associate Professor of Entomology & NematologyFt. Lauderdale Research and Education CenterUniversity of Florida3205 College Ave.Davie , FL  33314whk@ufl.eduPhone  (954) 577-6329

Or visit the AFBEE Program website online athttp://afbee.ifas.ufl.edu