Swarms and Attacks by Killer Bees, Bees, Wasps and Hornets

Killer bees are a cross between regular bees and African bees. They are Africanized Honey Bees. (See video link in Sources and Resources.) While their sting is no worse than a regular bee, the problem is that they tend to swarm more readily and viciously and chase their victims further and faster. More and more, Killer Bees can be found in the southwestern part of the United States. In fact, there have been several recent Killer Bee attacks on dogs in Texas and Arizona. (See links for related articles.) People throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California should be aware of the presence of Killer Bees and know how to avoid attacks and how to respond if under attack.

Stay inside on hot, bright days. Supervise your pet on short trips outside on these days. Never tie your pet out in hot, bright weather or put your pet in an enclosed pen with no escape. These cautions are just common sense in the horrendously hot southwest, anyway. Try to limit your time outside to early evening when it is cooler and all bees, wasps and hornets have gone to bed. Even then, be sure to avoid wearing fruity and floral smelling colognes or using products that have these scents. Bees, wasps and hornets are attracted to them. Surely, using an insect repellent would be helpful in discouraging them from bothering you. Additionally, choose light colors for your clothing and equipment. Avoid bright colors and flashy jewelry. These things attract them bees, wasps and hornets. If you are walking your dog, these same guidelines apply to products and equipment like leashes and collars.

According to Deputy Coordinator of Miller County Emergency Management in Lake Hamilton, Arkansas, Derrell Reynolds, Dawn dish soap (unscented) is quite good for stopping swarming bees. You can carry a spray bottle with a strong sprayer filled with a mixture of half dish soap and half water on hand to spray in case of emergencies. Around the home, a fire extinguisher can be used to immobilize the bees. (See link in Sources and Resources.) Of course, always be careful of your own safety if bees attack your pet. Do what you can, but don't let yourself be overcome by bees in the process!

If you are able to get an Epi-Pen to keep on hand in case of bee stings, it is extremely helpful. At the very least have some Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) on hand to administer to cut down allergic reactions. Follow directions on the bottle to administer Benadryl to a human or a dog. Benadryl is safe for dogs in the same per pound amounts as it is for people. Double-check with your vet if your dog is very small or very, very large.

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In addition to simply staying inside and keeping your pets and children inside during the times of day when bees, wasps and hornets are likely to be active, there are a number of things you can do to prevent the likelihood of a swarm and/or an attack. First of all, keep your home and property in good repair. Make sure there are not any inviting places for nests to be built, such as empty sheds that don't see much use, upturned flower pots, cracks under the eaves that will make it easy for wasps, bees and hornets to get in and make a nest. Make sure your chimney is covered during months when your fireplace is not being used. Be sure to inspect around your house and yard frequently (in the cool of the evening). If you see wasps, hornets and bees entering an area on your property at twilight, you will know that there is a nest there. Don't try to deal with it yourself. Call a professional to assess it and remove it. You will find listings online or in your phone book under Pest Control, Bee Keeping, Bee Removal, and the like.

Do your yard work in the cool of the evening, and be sure your children and your pets are secure in the house when you use noisy equipment like blowers, electric clippers, mowers, and so forth. These items seem to enrage Killer Bees. If you do happen to attract their wrath, you want to minimize potential damage by having only yourself to worry about. Think about this possibility in advance and have a plan for your escape.

Look before you leap. Don't reach into mailboxes, under your house, into bushes and so forth without looking first to be sure there is no nest there! Be careful when watering that you are not going to inadvertently water a nest and stir up a world of trouble.

If the worst happens, and you are attacked by bees, cover your head, neck and face with whatever you have handy (e.g. your shirt) and run as fast as you can for the nearest enclosed place. This could be your home, a car, a tent - anyplace where you can close the bees out. Understand that, with killer bees, it will not help to jump into a body of water. The clever little devils will just wait for you to come up for a breath and get you then. Since they go for sensitive areas like mouth, eyes and nose, this situation suits them just fine! Stings to your head and neck and face will disable or kill you much more quickly than stings to your body, so it is of the utmost importance that you protect these areas.

Even though, playing dead is a good idea if you are attacked by a large carnivore, it is not a good idea if you are attacked by a swarm of bees, wasps or hornets. They don't care! They will just go ahead and sting you where you lie! You should also not try to fight them off. You don't have a chance. Just duck and cover and run! They aren't very fast, but killer bees are quite persistent, so keep going until you are in a safe place or you are sure you have outrun them.

If you get more than one or two bee or wasp stings of any kind, you should see a doctor to be sure of proper treatment. If you are sure you are not allergic and you are not experiencing any symptoms other than pain in the immediate area around the sting, individual stings that are not on the face, head or neck can be treated the old-fashioned way with ice packs, baking soda poultice, and by taking Benadryl.

Having said all this; even though, killer bees are a real threat in the southwest, it is never a good idea to panic. Surely you should not kill every bee, hornet or wasp that you see. We need these critters to pollinate plants and keep life on earth going. Be careful, cautious, and discerning. If you just see a few bees going about their business pollinating the flowers, leave them alone and give them a wide berth. If you see groups of bees, wasps or hornets of any kind coming and going from a set place in your yard, get a professional to help you deal with them. By exercising caution in the summer months and being alert, you should be able to enjoy the outdoors in the nicest part of the day (the early evening) after wasps, bees and hornets have gone to bed.

Sources and resources:

Arkansas Braces for Onslaught of Killer Bees
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182042,00.html

National Geographic Killer Bee Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7kKqgPEGs

Africanized Bee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africanized_bee

For more on managing pests, you may enjoy:

How To Relocate A Wasp Nest
http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Relocate-A-Wasp-Nest

Advice On Natural Flea Treatments For Your House And Yard
http://advice.com/article.jsp?id=264aa425fa224a4199930df65f327cf7