Summer
Weather Brings African Bee Caution to Southern Utah
Utah remains free of African or "killer" bees, but the Utah
Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is reminding Southern Utah
residents and visitors to be aware of the possible presence of the aggressive
insect. The presence of African bees has recently been confirmed in
communities close to Utah such as Page, Arizona and Mesquite, Nevada.
"We have not captured or detected the African bee in any of our
traps that are set out to alert us to their presence," said Ed
Bianco, UDAF Entomologist. "We have more traps out in Utah now
than in all other states combined, yet we still have not caught an African
bee," he added.
The UDAF is setting out 100 bee traps throughout Southern Utah-primarily
near water sources in Washington, Kane and San Juan counties. The one-foot
by two-foot cardboard box traps are designed to attract bees that would
then build a hive inside the trap. Inspectors regularly check the traps,
and examine any bees they discover. The traps have been in place since
1995, and have attracted various bee colonies, but none of the colonies
has been African bees.
Bianco says that just because he hasn't captured an African bee, doesn't
mean there isn't a hive existing someplace in the state.
The UDAF has joined
with commercial beekeepers, as well as police and fire agencies in several
southern Utah counties to establish a detection and response system.
The UDAF cautions hikers, boaters or anyone enjoying the outdoors this
season to be alert for bee activity. African bees are abnormally protective
of their hives and will attack anything that they perceive to be a threat.
If you encounter bees and are attacked you should:
- Run away as fast
as you can.
- Get to the shelter
of a house or car as quickly as possible.
- Try to cover
your head as much as possible, since bees target your head and eyes.
- Run through tall
brush, if you are far away from shelter, this may confuse and slow
them while you make your way out of the area.
- Call 911 for
emergency help.
More information
about African bees is available here.
