How to Prevent a Stinging Incident

• Bees need two basic things to colonize your property: water and a place to build a hive. Prevent access to these where possible.
• Repair dripping leaks in and around the yard and in irrigation systems.
• Be alert for the presence of colonizing bees around the home.
• Listen for bees in walls and abandoned buildings before approaching.
• Patrol yards periodically to look for signs of bee colonies. Colonies can set up residence in as little as 24-48 hours.
• Prevent bees from colonizing the yard or home: fill cracks in the house, remove refuse (bees can establish in discarded cans), discard used tires, plug holes in open pipes and swing sets, move abandoned vehicles, check stock tanks and irrigation pump housings.
• Properly cover chimney openings.
• Place screens over drains, attic vents, irrigation control boxes and other openings.
• Close and lock doors to sheds and out-buildings.
• Education is central to the issue. South Americans have lived with africanized honey bees for decades with a minimum of impact. Teach children and others respect for, and avoidance of, honeybees.

Who is Most Vulnerable?

• Those who are allergic to bee stings. Only about 1 percent of the population has a systemic allergy to bee stings.
  Symptoms: within 20 minutes the tongue or throat swell, hives may develop, dizziness may occur and there may be difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness.
• Pets that are tied so they cannot exit the area.

What To Do When a Stinging Incident Occurs
Remember that ACE is the best action (Alert, Cover, Exit).

• Alert = Warn others in the area to flee.
• Cover = Cover your head; pull a shirt over your face. Stings to the head and neck are more dangerous than those to the body.
• Exit the area. Get into a car or a house immediately. If bees follow, tolerating those stings is preferable to trying to swat bees away from an open doorway.
• Stingers are left in the skin by the bees after an attack and continue to deliver venom for up to 10 minutes due to attached pulsating muscles of the stinger. When the situation has stabilized, remove the stingers as quickly as possible by scraping, do not remove with forceps.
• Above all, stay calm. Fear can cause accidents if bees get in cars or clothing.
• If you observe a serious stinging incident call 911.
• Bee attacks can disorient. If you attempt to aid an attack victim, protect yourself first and then shout them toward you and lead them to safety.
• If a pet is involved, seek veterinary attention for your pet.
• If you are seriously stung, seek medical attention.
• If you are allergic, carry a bee-sting kit prescribed by your personal physician.

What not to do

• Don't tie or pen animals near bee hives as they will have nowhere to go if stung.
• Do not try to remove bee hives yourself if you find them. Fire departments, bee-keepers and pest management operators are best equipped to remove bee colonies.
• Do not try to fog or spray colonies with insect bombs or sprays.
• Do not swat at bees. Swatting bees causes the release of an alarm signal and only increases the intensity of an attack by stimulating other bees to attack.
• Do not count on insect repellents sprayed on the skin to deter bees.
• Do not provoke bees by spraying the hive with a garden hose.
• Don't place certain veterinary salves and creams on your pet. Some are made with bees wax and can increase the severity of africanized honey bee attacks to pets and livestock. Check with your vet before using salves and creams.
• Don't use meat tenderizer on bee-sting wounds, as this could lead to a secondary infection.
• Do not hike with your dog off-leash. If the dog encounters a hive and provokes the bees, it may bring the attackers back to you.

For identification of honeybees, samples (50 bees or more) can be collected and sent to the Texas Honey Bee Identification Lab at Texas A&M. The service is free and forms are available on the Extension Service Web site.

Study conducted by Dr. Marilyn Houck, Texas Tech University and Dr. Patrick Porter, Texas Agricultural Extension Service.