Africanized honey bees, sometimes called “killer bees,” were detected in Utah for the first time in January of 2009. The bee colonies confirmed to have Africanized honey bees were destroyed to prevent spread to 
other European honey bee colonies in Utah. Compared to domesticated honey bees in the United States, these bees are more aggressive and will defend the nest in greater numbers, but their sting is no more painful or more venomous than other honey bees, and very few people are actually attacked by them. Below are frequently asked questions.
other European honey bee colonies in Utah. Compared to domesticated honey bees in the United States, these bees are more aggressive and will defend the nest in greater numbers, but their sting is no more painful or more venomous than other honey bees, and very few people are actually attacked by them. Below are frequently asked questions.• How is a regular honey bee different from an Africanized honey bee? Africanized honey bees are a different subspecies and have an aggressive defensive behavior. European and Africanized honey bees appear the same and are able to interbreed successfully. New honey bee colonies become contaminated when male Africanized honey bees mate with European honey bee virgin queens, eventually producing hybrid offspring. A genetic test must be used to confirm Africanized honey bees, but the following may provide clues of a tainted colony. Adults tend to swarm more frequently and are more apt to completely abandon the hive if disturbed. Colonies are more likely to nest underground and migrate for food as seasons change. Colonies cannot survive long periods of forage deprivation so are restricted from areas with harsh winters. The queen dedicates more colony members to “guard” the nest and deploys greater numbers to defend the nest when threatened. For example, a European honey bee colony may send 10 soldiers in defense while Africanized honey bees may send more than 1,000 soldiers.
• How long have we been looking for Africanized honey bees in Utah? The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has been surveying for Africanized honey bees since the 1970s. The main area of focus has been in southern Utah because of established populations in northern Arizona and Nevada.
• How many kinds of bees do we have in Utah? Experts estimate we have 1,000 species. There are more than 20,000 species of bees in the insect family Apidae throughout the world.
• Why do bees and wasps sometimes attack? Whether a solitary bumble bee or a yellowjacket, bees and wasps will attempt to defend the nest. Some bees and wasps are threatened without much provocation while others are very tolerant. Their defensive behavior may also vary depending on time of year and time of day. For example, bees and wasps forage for food during the day and are constantly moving away from the nest. Being too close to a nest during the day may be threatening to the colony and may cause defensive behavior.
• What happens if I find honey bees or wasps in my yard? Most bees and wasps are not aggressive unless they are disturbed. Honey bees are beneficial pollinators and most social wasps are predatory on other insects. If you want to remove them from your yard, contact a pest control professional. For recommendations, contact the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food at 801-538-7123.
• What should I do if bees attack me? Leave the area immediately and seek shelter in a secure vehicle or building. If you are in an area that you cannot escape, cover your head and run from the bees. Keep moving until they stop stinging, which may be as far as a quarter mile (four football fields). Do not hide under porches or other exposed areas. Do not try to escape from the swarm by jumping into a swimming pool since bees will hover above the water longer than you can hold your breath.
• What is the state of Utah doing to protect and promote honey bees in Utah? Honey bees are responsible for pollinating many fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants in Utah. In addition, the honey industry in Utah produces over $1 million annually. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is working with the Utah Beekeepers Association to maintain healthy honey bee colonies in Utah. Annual inspections of commercial honey bees and wild populations will also help monitor bees in the future.
• Where can I get current information about Africanized honey bees in Utah? See an updated fact sheet from the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/africanized-bees09.pdf or visit the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Web site at http://ag.utah.gov.
By: Erin Hodgson - Feb. 26, 2009