How to Spot a Killer Bee

An Africanized bee, also called a killer bee, moved north across the U.S. border into Texas in 1990. These bees are now spreading throughout the country. The killer bee infiltrates a honey bee's nest and takes over, converting all the nasty bee personality into the population. The bees look the same as a honey bee, distinguishable only by their behavior. Here is how to spot a killer bee.

Instructions

• 1

  Look for normal honey bee characteristics. A honey bee is 3/4 of an inch long, fuzzy and brownish. Their nests are located in areas of roofs, chimneys, bushes and other cavity-like areas. The Africanized honey bee looks the same. They are not larger or less fuzzy. They look exactly the same as a honey bee.

• 2

  Watch for an aggressive attitude. They attack in large groups, make less honey, make less wax, hate high pitched noises, strong odors, shiny jewelry and dark clothes, and swarm more often than honey bees.

• 3

  Watch for a prolonged agitation of the bees. Killer bees stay angry for a long time after a disturbance to their hive. Killer bees can be agitated for days. An attack will signal others to attack.

• 4

  Watch for a prolonged attack range. Killer bees are known to attack up to 100 feet away. The killer bees are also slow and most people can outrun them.

• 5

  Watch for the location on the body where the bee attacks. The killer bee attacks faces and ankles.