1	Africanized “killer” bees: a problem for North Carolina? David R. Tarpy Assistant Professor and Extension Apiculturist Department of Entomology, Campus Box 7613 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695-7613 TEL: 919-515-1660 EMAIL: david_tarpy@ncsu.edu
2	Importance of honey bees Why should I care about honey bees, anyway?
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4	Crop pollination
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9	History How the Africanized honey bees (AHB) got here
10	European subspecies
11	African subspecies
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13	Important facts about AHB Africanized bees can sting only once and then they die. You cannot be stung multiple times by the same bee. The sting of an Africanized bee is no more painful or harmful than that of a European bee. Swarms of Africanized bees and individual bees away from the hive are no more likely to sting than European bees. Far more people have died from lightning strikes or shark attacks than from Africanized bee stings, so their “killer bee” reputation is extremely overblown.
14	What are Africanized bees? Some differences in the biology between African and European honey bees
15	Nesting behaviors
16	Morphology
17	Defensive behavior
18	AHB in the US Where are they now?
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20	AHB identification How scientists and officials can distinguish African from European honey bees
21	Morphometrics
22	Genetic analyses
23	Will they ever get to NC?! It is not a questions of whether or not the AHB will be introduced to NC, as they almost certainly will, but a question of whether they will become permanently established.
24	Predicted distribution
25	An important distinction…
26	Ultimate distribution
27	What should I do? Things that everyone can do to address the AHB issue
28	Be vigilant “Bee proof” your house. Most Africanized bees do not live in boxes managed by beekeepers, but rather in structures or other man-made cavities. With a little know-how, these potential nest sites can be removed or made unsuitable for bee habitation. Check for unusual honey bee activity. A few dozen bees visiting your flower beds is very typical and indeed beneficial for your garden. However, if hundreds of bees are clustered together or seen entering and exiting a single hidden location, it may be a sign that a colony has become established. Don’t keep pets tied or tethered. If you have pets, livestock, or other animals living outdoors, you may consider taking precautions for them as well. Know the difference between honey bees and wasps. Many people mistakenly believe that many wasp species—such as yellow jackets, European or Japanese hornets, and bald-faced hornets—are honey bees.
29	Be responsive Keep your distance. If you locate a nest on your property, note its location but don’t approach it. Bees and wasps are much more likely to react in defensive of their hive, so do not pose a threat to them. Call a professional. Contact a licensed Pest Control Operator in your area. They will assess the problem, determine if they are honey bees or another species, and take appropriate action. We do not recommend that you exterminate the bees yourself. Remove the combs to prevent further damage. Fermenting honey and spoiling wax can harm the structure in which the nest was located, so it is important to remove the combs as well as the bees. Because larger nests can do greater damage, it is best to deal with the issue sooner rather than later. For mass stinging incidents or allergic reactions, call 911. In an emergency, seek immediate medical assistance. The fire department may respond with foam or surfactant spray to calmly and safely kill the stinging bees.
30	Be proactive Realize that beekeepers are on the front lines of defense—beekeepers are part of the solution, not the problem. Be a good neighbor and educate them about the benefits of honey bees and the relative risks of AHB. Establish and maintain lines of communication between local beekeepers, first responders, and local officials. Become a beekeeper!
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