Member of the Florida Africanized Honey Bee "Killer Bees" Task Force
When eradicating bees, the entire nest must be removed
Action Line
MiamiHeard.com
Friday, June 16,2006
Q: Bees have created a nest in the wall of a small building in my yard. How can I get them removed? Do the bees have to be
killed?
B. D.,
Miami
A: Yes. Having a professional do the job is the most effective way to get rid of them for good.
Entomologist Adrian Hunsberger of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences said you're probably
dealing with honeybees, which can leave behind quite a mess. Hiring a bee removal expert can be expensive (you received an
estimate for $700), especially to get bees and any remaining honey out of the wall, but it's essential that no trace of the
bees remains.
''The whole hive has to be removed,'' Hunsberger said. ``If it's not, it's going to leave a scent for other bees or insects.''
Once the bees are gone and the wall is cleaned out, get the crack sealed to prevent bees from setting up housekeeping
there again.
Call the Miami-Dade County Extension Service at 305-248-3311 (Broward's at 954-370-3725) for a list of professional bee
removers, or try the Yellow Pages under ''Bee Removal Services.'' Before hiring someone who plans to use pesticides, make
sure they have a pesticide license from the state's Division of Agricultural Environmental Services at 800-HELP-FLA (800-435-7352).
Mr. Sklaroff,
The recommendation from my office is that any feral honey bee colonies or swarms not associated with a Registered
Florida Beekeeper participating in Best Management Practices be considered for eradication. The growing presence of African
Bees in Florida has resulted in the death of a 900 pound horse, 13 dogs, goats, sheep and dozens of non-fatal stinging events
that required emergency medical attention. Unfortunately we had the first human fatality from African Bees during a mass stinging
event in April of this year. We of course need the gentle managed honey bees that are so important to Florida Agriculture
and the environment but this is a separate issue from African Bees and the potential Public Safety risk they pose.
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR
PRODUCING HONEY BEE QUEENS IN FLORIDA
1. This is a voluntary program designed to minimize the threat of Africanized Honey Bees (AHB) in Florida and to dilute
any feral AHB populations that may become established in Florida as our gentle managed colonies are our best line of defense
against AHB.
2. Beekeepers participating in this program must sign a compliance agreement with the Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services.
3. Beekeepers will maintain a valid registration with the Florida Department of Agriculture/Division of Plant Industry
(FDACS/DPI), and be current with any and all special inspection fee
Florida beekeepers should be discouraged from collecting swarms that cannot be immediately re- queened from EHB queen
producers.
Thank you. Jerry
G. W. Hayes, Jr.
Assistant Chief
Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection
Apiary Inspection Section
Division of Plant Industry
P O Bx 147100
Gainesville FL 32614-7100
(352) 372-3505 ext 128
(352) 334-0715 FAX
Hey Willie!
Thank you again for removing all those bees, hives and honey from my home back in April. I wanted to send you the link
to the entire process. It was not a cheap adventure, but I am glad the bees are gone and the hole has been repaired.
Thank you again for the knowledge, the laughs and most of all the removal of unwanted "guests"!
Regards,
Chris G.
Boynton Beach
Photos from start to finised.
click on BEE REMOVAL
Willie The Bee Man, Inc. belongs to the following:
"We do not offer free inspections. Our inspection charge is rated so any home owner can afford our service.
Some of our competitors will offer free inspections, just to gain access to you and your property then apply high pressure
sales and expensive services you don't need."
As stated on http://www.catchitwild.com
Thank you for your buzziness
"Safety is not a program, it is a way of life!"
Thank you for volunteering to give us a presentation on bees this evening. Safety is a very important part of our daily life
here at FPL and this is a very valid area of concern. We appreciate you sharing your expertise with us.
Ron
Inventory Services Supervisor
FPL Broward County
Florida Trail Association
www.hoofers.floridatrail.org
Safety Presentation on AHB
February 14, 2008
