AHB in Tallahassee Florida?

Scott Derrick · April 16, 2008, 11:57:51 PM

Anybody see this story out of TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

If AHB's are truly confirmed here then this is about the furthest they've traveled north in the Southeast. They were confirmed in Tampa in 2005.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351013,00.html

JP · April 17, 2008, 12:14:30 AM

Yeah, this story has ben circulating around for 3-4 days now, they are I believe still running tests to confirm Ahb.

...JP

Scott Derrick · April 17, 2008, 12:44:23 AM

JP...

I really hope they aren't. I think they have been confirmed. I'll see if Jerry Hayes can give us the final word on it. I'll let you all know.

Scott Derrick · April 17, 2008, 12:51:57 AM

Found this on the AHB fatality.

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2008/04112008.html

Scott Derrick · April 17, 2008, 08:28:27 PM

Hi Everyone,

I got some info back from Jerry Hayes on the ID of the bees in Tallahasee. This is what he said in an email.

Scott,

The ID came back as Hybrid. Looks like a European queen mating with AHB Drones could be the scenario.

Just thought I'd let everyone know.

JP · April 17, 2008, 09:43:41 PM

Thanks for the update Scott.

People are sooo ready to jump on the ahb issue, its scary sometimes. I hear it all the time here, its really media bullcrap if you ask me.

Just live your life and if you're concerned about bees call a beekeeper, before panicing and other various inuendos. I'm not downplaying the potential issues ahb can create, but you know some types just need something, anything to harp on, probably because they don't have a life in the first place.

...JP

Understudy · April 17, 2008, 10:16:30 PM

Okay, Okeechobee is not far from me. I went ballistic when this story hit. I am way behind on posting news articles.

This one is a great disservice.

While the bees in less than 24 hours were declared AHB (no DNA test, fabis). This gentlemen dies from an allergic reaction. He received slightly over 100 stings not enough to be fatal to a normal healthy human. His reaction would have been no different had they been EHB.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Brian D. Bray · April 17, 2008, 11:40:39 PM

Quote from: Understudy on April 17, 2008, 10:16:30 PM
Okay, Okeechobee is not far from me. I went ballistic when this story hit. I am way behind on posting news articles.

This one is a great disservice.

While the bees in less than 24 hours were declared AHB (no DNA test, fabis). This gentlemen dies from an allergic reaction. He received slightly over 100 stings not enough to be fatal to a normal healthy human. His reaction would have been no different had they been EHB.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

One of my near death experience was being stung 379 times from a single hive. 100 stings is not usually leathel unless a person has a systemic reaction. News organizations are great at sensualizing the news and then ducking the blame when the public gets aggitated.

A true Journalist will make a concentrated effort to present a balanced report. Unfortunately truth in news reporting doesn't sell as well as sensualized blubs, hence America is now frought with Yellow (Tabloid) Journalism even from the instituations that were considered the most repuitable in the past, i.e. The New York Times.

Scott Derrick · April 19, 2008, 12:21:38 AM

Brian,

Very well said! I call it HYPE. They are fantastic at scaring the crap out of people and causing panic but they are slow to focus on the good, soothing and what I call "Salt of the Earth" stories. I got so sick of hearing all the doom and gloom stories and pablum that I discontinued cable at my house. I don't read the local papers either. Now I don't have my head stuck in the sand by any means because I read what I consider reliable websites that's balanced and I'm not talking about FOX.

All this being said I would truly appreciate a balanced view of AHB. I've actually spoke with people from Brazil who have kept many swarm of AHB and they CAN be managed and are good honey producers. Granted we will have to adjust our way of keeping them but they are manageable. It seems like I am constantly telling people about them because that is one of the first question I am asked about when I do removals. I take extra time to educate the public as much as possible when I'm questioned about AHB. I feel that sooner or later we are going to have to deal with the issue first hand.