Barbour County, Alabama (WDNews) — The first known instance of Africanized honeybees in Barbour County has been confirmed by state agriculture officials.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) reports that local beekeepers collected a swarm and sent it for testing, which led to the identification of the aggressive bee species. To save nearby honeybee populations, the swarm was humanely put down.
Commissioner Rick Pate stated, “We are taking this matter seriously, but there is currently no cause for public concern.” In order to guarantee prompt discovery and suitable action, our staff is actively working with regional beekeepers and entomology specialists.
ADAI has started a focused monitoring operation to stop the spread, placing traps five miles from the detection site to keep an eye out for any new activity. After being informed, local beekeepers are receiving instructions on how to recognize and care for Africanized bees.
Africanized honeybees, sometimes known as killer bees, are a cross between European and African species. They resemble European honeybees almost exactly, except they are reported to be more protective and to swarm more frequently.
These bees may chase imagined dangers up to a mile farther than European bees, according to ADAI.
Residents are being advised by officials not to disturb bee colonies and to contact the State Apiary Protection Unit of ADAI at (334) 240-7228 or (334) 240-7172 if they observe any unusually hostile bee behavior.
Go to visitagi.alabama.gov for additional details.
