Test for Africanized bees?

Clem · February 03, 2014, 11:47:09 PM

I was told that if you trap or capture a swarm in Alabama you must have the bees checked by the state to determine if you have Africanized bees, I hadn't heard or read anything about this. Does anyone have any info or experience with this?

10framer · February 04, 2014, 12:36:11 AM

i haven't heard that but i've caught 3 swarms in alabama that i highly suspect were africanized. one was so bad i destroyed them and i'll put up with some fairly rough bees.

GSF · February 04, 2014, 06:18:41 AM

Hey Clem,

Here's the number to the ag office that handles bees in Alabama; 1-800-642-7761, 334-270-7225. If you talk to someone let us know what you find out.

Michael Bush · February 04, 2014, 07:38:30 AM

The least conclusive is the FABIS. None of the tests for AHB are conclusive. I think the best test is the "kick" test... if you kick the hive and the pour out after you, you don't want to keep those...

BeeMaster2 · February 04, 2014, 12:51:14 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on February 04, 2014, 07:38:30 AM
The least conclusive is the FABIS. None of the tests for AHB are conclusive. I think the best test is the "kick" test... if you kick the hive and the pour out after you, you don't want to keep those...

Note to self, "Don't do this unless fully suited". :-D
Jim

richter1978 · February 04, 2014, 01:47:28 PM

I did a cutout last spring. At first I could work them in shorts and a T shirt. By July they were so aggressive I had to move them to a friends. Anyway, I called the inspector and he came to take a sample to have tested. He told me after the inspection and queen pinching that they were a 10 out of 10 for defensiveness. They tested to be European. Definitely the kick test applied to these!

tefer2 · February 04, 2014, 02:05:01 PM

Note to self, have a get away vehicle running close by. :-D

capt44 · February 04, 2014, 06:43:50 PM

I had a swarm of bees mean'ern who thought it and the State Inspector came by and took samples from a Hive in my bee yard at home and another from a bee yard I have 3 miles away.
He took the samples to Little Rock and did 2 test.
They did the FABIS Test and if they looked suspicious they did a DNA test.
Both hives came back negative.
I re-queened both hives and in a few weeks they had calmed way down.
We have Africanized Bees in South Arkansas and they are spreading North.
They advised me not to accept any feral bees in southwest Arkansas.

PLAN-B · February 04, 2014, 08:51:20 PM

KICK test sounds scientific enough for me Michael Bush...lol
Richter with friends like you who needs enemies... :lau:
Remind me to not let you bring your bees to my house...lmao

richter1978 · February 04, 2014, 09:18:28 PM

He is a generous friend. :-D

JackM · February 05, 2014, 08:32:03 AM

He sure made this post even more interesting. Even sounds official, the Kick Test....ya.

amun-ra · February 05, 2014, 09:30:21 AM

After reading these posts I thought I'd try the kick test as I passed the wife in the hall.Im now certain she's africanised,might put her outside and bring mybees inside. :-D

richter1978 · February 05, 2014, 08:30:23 PM

Or.. Take her to a friends house. ;)

PLAN-B · February 05, 2014, 09:34:08 PM

Too funny amun-ra..... i will forgo the kick test on the wife or i may be the one dropped off at a friends house.... it might feel something like this :jail:

GSF · February 06, 2014, 05:52:49 AM

...or worse, we could be forced to go grocery shopping with them.

BeeMaster2 · February 06, 2014, 01:00:45 PM

This thread gets better everyday. :lau: :lau:
Jim

Michael Bush · February 06, 2014, 09:26:35 PM

>Note to self, "Don't do this unless fully suited".

That goes without saying...

jayj200 · February 10, 2014, 05:55:39 PM

I have been told.
if they thump you on the chest as a warning.
probably not a good bee!
jay