And now the African Bee

I knew this bee was here in the States but did not know how bad the situation was in Texas and in some other South Western states. I watched the news tonight and I think this problem is posing a threat to local bee keepers and it seems there is a ban now on the importing of bees.

Always been a problem louisa, moving one species of bug to a place it doesnt belong, they act differently every time, but do they learn, no they still do it, so people complain, they spray chemicals to solve the problem, causing another problem, people complain about that, and it goes around in circles until the bugs are a threat to life, then its too late, but does that change anything, no, cos these bugs are mostly introduced to increase food production, and therefor represent financial investement, and that makes as always human life cheap, so a few human casualtys are fine as long as they get the profits they forcast, seems a bugs life is worth more than yours.

The afican bee is not as bad as reports would tell us. yes they are aggressive but they do not seek out animals to kill and despite reports to the contrary they do produce honey and in SA they raise the bees commercially. I have heard they are not much more aggressive than russian bees which I have raised and been stung by on numerous occassions and I can say the sting of a russian bee ain't in the same catagory venom-wise as the common 3-banded Italian bee that makes up about 98% of all domestic honey bees in the US.

Actually the african bee may be the answer to the verroa mite problem as they are much cleaner than the Italian bees and are not bothered much by the mites.

The moniker of "killer bee' was given by reporters out to sensationalize stories. yes people vwnturing into their territories do get stung but the bees killing humans or other animals is extrememly rare. You are much more likely to be injured or killed by an automobile

Alan I agree with you entirely and most passionately!! And it is so good to get the 'real' truth from the horse's mouth so to speak and I'm referring you to Ohio - if you don't mind being called a horse :-) I read your comments with interest. I understand that the 'killer bee' stings but once and dies, so I would imagine it represses the urge to do so unless really antagonized. However, the TV news did show two people who had been stung many times (as much as 500 times in one case)and they were hospitalized - but it didn't kill them. Whilst someone who is allergic to bee stings, whichever bee, could most certainly die from stings. It would be good to get opinions from Texan beekeepers.

Ohiorganic~ Well said, the sky is not falling, either. It's true even one sting is dangerous for the highly allergic, whatever kind of bee. I may be getting allergic to sensational news reports, I've noticed I do just as well if I avoid them........

Me too Ivey - it seems it's all doom and gloom. On the other hand a little knowledge...........!!