The term “killer bees” often brings to mind aggressive swarms. These insects, formally known as Africanized Honey Bees, have a reputation that often overshadows the facts of their behavior. While concerns about their stings are understandable, understanding these bees and how to react can help demystify the risks. This article provides information on recognizing, treating, and preventing stings from these highly defensive insects.
Understanding Killer Bees
Africanized Honey Bees, often called “killer bees,” are a hybrid species. They resulted from the crossbreeding of East African lowland honey bees with European honey bee subspecies. This occurred in Brazil in 1957 after swarms escaped a research program. Since then, these bees have spread throughout South and Central America, reaching North America in Texas in 1990. They have established populations in southwestern states like New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California, and have been detected in Florida and Georgia.
The danger from Africanized Honey Bees is not due to more potent venom; their venom has the same toxicity as other honey bees. Instead, their threat comes from their highly defensive nature and tendency to sting in large numbers when their colony is disturbed. They react faster to perceived threats and chase intruders for greater distances, sometimes over 400 meters. While they do not actively seek to attack humans, they will aggressively defend their nests, which can lead to mass stinging incidents.
Recognizing a Killer Bee Sting
A single bee sting causes immediate, sharp, burning pain, a raised welt, and localized swelling. This localized swelling and pain usually subside within a few hours. A moderate reaction might involve increased pain, a larger welt, itching, and flushing. Swelling can worsen over one to two days and persist for up to seven days. These reactions are limited to the area around the sting site.
Multiple stings from Africanized Honey Bees can amplify these symptoms, leading to a toxic reaction. With numerous stings, a person might experience systemic reactions beyond the sting site, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, and fever. Swelling throughout the body (generalized edema), muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), and kidney injury can also occur. While a healthy adult might tolerate hundreds of stings, receiving more than a dozen stings can cause a person to feel quite ill.
Immediate Response to a Sting
If stung by a bee, the first step is to move calmly to a safe area to avoid additional stings. Honey bees leave behind a stinger with a venom sac, which continues to pump venom into the skin. Removing the stinger quickly is important to minimize the amount of venom entering the body.
To remove the stinger, gently scrape it off with a fingernail, a credit card, or a piece of gauze. Avoid using tweezers to pinch the stinger, as this can squeeze more venom into the skin. After removing the stinger, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water to clean the wound. Applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a towel to the sting site for 10 to 20 minutes can help reduce swelling and pain. Elevating the stung limb can also help lessen swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can manage pain, while antihistamines or hydrocortisone cream can alleviate itching and swelling.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While most bee stings result in mild, localized reactions, certain signs and symptoms indicate a need for immediate medical attention. A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is potentially life-threatening and requires emergency treatment. Symptoms of anaphylaxis typically develop rapidly, often within 15 minutes to an hour after the sting, and can include hives, flushed or pale skin, swelling of the face, throat, and lips, and difficulty breathing or swallowing. Other signs may include a rapid or weak pulse, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and loss of consciousness.
Medical attention is also necessary if a person experiences a toxic reaction from multiple stings, especially if they are a child, older adult, or have pre-existing heart or breathing problems. Even if only one or two symptoms of anaphylaxis are present, it is important to seek immediate care. Individuals with a known bee sting allergy should carry an emergency epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) and use it immediately as directed by a healthcare professional, then call 911.
Preventing Killer Bee Stings
Preventing encounters with Africanized Honey Bees involves awareness and specific actions. These bees are most likely to sting when their nest or hive is disturbed. Avoid disturbing bee colonies and maintain a safe distance from active hives. Wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding strong scents, such as perfumes or hairsprays, can help, as these can attract bees.
If bees are encountered, stay calm and move away slowly. Swatting at bees or making sudden movements can provoke them and increase the likelihood of being stung. If a swarm begins to attack, run away quickly, preferably indoors or into a vehicle. Covering the head and face with clothing can offer some protection. If no shelter is available, continue running, as Africanized Honey Bees can pursue threats for a considerable distance. Inspect properties for potential nesting sites, such as holes in walls or sheds, and seal any gaps larger than 1/8 inch to reduce the chance of a colony establishing itself nearby.