Aggressive Africanized honeybees spread to 13 States, including Alabama
Here's what to know about Africanized honeybees and their presence in Alabama.
Africanized honeybees, a mix of African and European bees, are far more aggressive than honeybees. They attack in large numbers, chase people and animals for up to a mile, even follow cars, and can sting through standard beekeeping gear.
Africanized honeybees look almost identical to regular honeybees, so much so that most people can't tell the difference. They're slightly smaller, with golden-yellow coloring and darker brown bands, but only experts can spot the difference by measuring their wings and body size.
Killer bees first grabbed headlines in the 1990s after showing up in the U.S. They thrive in warm, tropical climates and struggle to survive cold winters, so they're primarily found in southern states.
Africanized honeybees don't pack more venom than regular honeybees but attack in bigger numbers. Each bee can sting only once before it dies, but when the colony feels threatened, hundreds may swarm and sting.
If you're getting attacked, experts recommend running away quickly in a zigzag pattern and seeking shelter in a building or car. Jumping into the water is not recommended because the bees will wait for you to resurface.
In 2024, the Alabama Department of Agriculture confirmed the invasive bees in Jackson and St. Clair counties after local beekeepers collected wild swarms. Officials euthanized the bees and set traps within a five-mile radius to monitor for more.
Africanized honeybees have been reported in at least 13 states, with Florida seeing the highest numbers. Here's where these aggressive bees have been spotted so far:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
Nevada
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Texas
Utah
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Are killer bees a threat in Alabama? Here's what to know
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