Beekeepers Workshop to be Held in Crawfordville

Don't worry, bee happy!

africanized bee 100.gif The Wakulla County UF-IFAS Extension Office, Wakulla County Emergency Management, and Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office will host a workshop for beekeepers Thursday, September 4, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon at the Extension Office at 84 Cedar Avenue in Crawfordville. Additionally, the general public is encouraged to learn more about Africanized Bees through an education program at the Wakulla County Library from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Africanized honey bees (AHB) have made their way into the state of Florida. AHBs breed and compete with the European strains of honey bees that normally inhabit our state. Because Florida's AHB population is increasing, it is important to become familiar with AHBs and their behavior. Although they are often referred to as killer bees, the correct term is Africanized honey bees.

Another common mistake is describing them as aggressive. Their behavior is actually defensive -- they react to human invasion of their environment and defend themselves when necessary. Attacks occur when people get too close to a nesting colony of AHBs. The AHBs do not sit around and plot attacks on humans. Most people probably first hear about Africanized honey bees via B-grade movies such as "Killer Bees" (1974) and "The Swarm" (1978). Labeling AHBs as aggressive killers can provoke unjustified fear and hysteria.

Fortunately, you do not have to learn about Africanized honey bees from bad horror movies or rumors on the Internet. Everyone is encouraged to attend informative presentations from Africanized honey bee expert Mike O’Malley. Mike works as a honey bee researcher and Extension Education Program Coordinator at the University of Florida - IFAS in the Entomology and Nematology Department. In the morning workshop, Mike will provide timely information to apiary representatives and local beekeepers regarding the future of the industry as AHBs become more prevalent in Florida. In the evening session at the Library, Mr. O’Malley will provide the latest research information on how the public can protect family, pets, and property from Africanized bees, and other insects. For more information visit www.afbee.com

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions, or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating.

This information originally published on August 30, 2008.

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