Folks, I'm in AZ. and went on a hike, had a great time. I noticed some bees getting water around standing water in the outwashes. Took some photos, but really noting to interesting, look like light colored bees, I can post the photos later. I ran across a gov't site on how to deal with an encounter, but I can't find it now. Anyone have suggestions on a good site that covers this topic?
D
The best way to deal with AHB is to run. Run far and fast.
AHB will not bother you if they are foraging. They attack when they preceive a threat to the nest.
The only way to determine if bees are AHB is a DNA test.
Some documentation for you.
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/apiary/africanbees.html (http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/apiary/africanbees.html)
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/apiary/images/AHBbrochureWeb.pdf (http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/apiary/images/AHBbrochureWeb.pdf)
http://www.ci.la.ca.us/council/cd3/bees/indexENG.htm (http://www.ci.la.ca.us/council/cd3/bees/indexENG.htm)
Hope that helps
Sincerely,
Brendhan
Like Brandhan says, run away quickly. Keep running until you have no more bees following you. This may take a half a mile or more with AHB. With EHB it usually only takes a hundred yards or so with even a hot hive. I find running through some tight brush gets rid of them really well. I learned it from my horses who would run between two cedar trees that are touching each other, to get rid of the flies following them.
Thanks, I promised some photos, This is a photo of some bees getting water in a rock puddle in a wash. For the people not familiar with
az. a wash is a n area that after a seasonal rain water flows like a stream. They can be quite spectacular in the wildlife that they bring. these bees look like the typical northeastern bees. your right MB these bees were just totally ignoring me although i was a bit cautious while taking these photos.
D.
Unless you are athletic and in shape I would suggest to walk fast instead of running. Because I know I could walk fast for miles, but if I took off in a fast run, I would probably be laying on the ground out of breath less than a 1/4 mile away and the bees would be able to have at me.
Ruben, now that was a very interesting piece of advice. I think that you are 100% bang on with the idea of walking very quickly. I can walk very quickly too, but if I run, I cannot last long at all. Get too winded, must out of shape with regard to running.
If I ever have to get somewhere quickly, I will remember your advice, walk fast, don't run, you will go much farther and not be worn right down, yeah!!! Best of the greatest days. cindi
Not sure where the photos, went to :oops:
I'll try again later, I have to goto a beekeepers meeting in 1/2 hr. I visited Cabelas in AZ and they had a Ranger do a talk about poisonous animals in a presentation and he gave the move away quickly and go to cover, vehicle, house, closed area. I suggested to my friends to carry an epi-pen (sp?) and head net.
D