State Seeks To Eradicate Colonies

Africanized bees are over taking the wild populations of European bees in Florida. That is why the state advises residents to exterminate feral colonies found on properties close to people.

“Public safety is ultimately our goal,”

said Jerry Hayes, chief of the apiary section of Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

“Three or four years ago, the bees we were finding might show 20 to 30 percent Americanization. Now it’s 60 to 80 percent.”

Bees Feel At Home In Southern Florida

Southern and southwest Florida has a higher density of the bees than other parts of the state, he said. That’s probably because the area resembles Central and South America, where Africanized bees started in this hemisphere.

“Beekeepers are not part of the problem,” Hayes said. “We don’t want them zoned or ordinance out of being. But having more managed colonies will not stop Africanized bees from expanding.”

CALL 866-263-WILD (9453)