AHB and safety when hiking.

DBoire · February 21, 2007, 11:17:20 PM

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

Understudy · February 22, 2007, 12:21:13 AM

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/images/AHBbrochureWeb.pdf
http://www.ci.la.ca.us/council/cd3/bees/indexENG.htm

Hope that helps

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Michael Bush · February 22, 2007, 08:07:07 AM

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.

DBoire · February 24, 2007, 11:32:14 AM

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.

Ruben · February 25, 2007, 12:02:15 PM

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.

Cindi · February 26, 2007, 01:09:23 AM

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

DBoire · February 27, 2007, 06:07:42 PM

Not sure where the photos, went to

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