Cagwin & Dorward Landscape Contractors

African Honey Bee African Honey Bee 'looks' like the European Honey Bee, however...

When will the AHB be in the San Francisco's greater bay area? No one knows.. but here are the facts. Since 1954, the AHB has migrated from Brazil to the US at a rate of 300 miles per year. So there was a distinct possibly that they could be here by 2001.They can survive elevations up to 7000 feet above sea level. The AHB mates with the European Honey Bee (EHB) and the AHB's aggressive behavior is passed onto the indigenous EHB.

However, northern migrations in the United States, as of this writing, seem to be stalling at latitude 35. San Francisco is latitude 38.

Best Advice... read provided links and be prepared!

The African Honey Bee (AHB) is new to California and it is dangerous. African Honey Bees entered California in 1994 and within a year, more than 8,000 square miles of Imperial, Riverside and northeastern San Diego counties were declared officially colonized by African Honey Bees.

In 1999, an eighty-three year old man was stung to death while mowing his lawn in Southern California.

The AHB swarm their victims when they perceive their hive is being threatened. AHB have been frightened by the vibrations created by small power engines. Generally, young children and older adults are at greatest risk because of their lack of tolerance to bee venom. People have died with as few as 40 stings to the face and have survived with as many as 100 stings.

If attacked, cover your face with fabric even if you have to use your own shirt. Quickly remove yourself from the swarm and seek shelter. Do not attempt to flail your arms to ward off their attack as this excites the swarm. Jumping into water will not halt the attack, the AHB will wait for you to come up for air to attack again.

Garden -

Garden - African Honey Bee