ALL Florida Bee Removal Blog

Reading the fire chief's description of this tragic sting event sends chills through me, as we've encountered similar situations, and in most cases, could have been prevented with proper vigilance and action.

Why the owner of the horse facility would knowingly leave active honey bee colonies in a working barn leaves me scratching my head, AND, this is in KILLER BEE territory!! (I normally don't use the term "killer bee" alone, but in this case, I think it's warranted).

I encounter this attitude daily here in Florida, where we have an active and growing KILLER BEE population. We are seeing them move into Florida's prime horse country, near Ocala.( Check this blog post out from just last week, right near horse operations).

Clients often believe that since Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has been affecting honey bee populations here in the U.S. , any wild honey bee colony found should be left alone, in order to boost bee populations. While it's true, CCD has reduced bee populations, the affected bees are only in managed bee operations, those kept by beekeepers, from huge commercial operations down to hobby beekeepers. 


Feral (wild) bee populations are not affected by CCD, and are actually exploding here in Florida.

This is so important, let's see it again: Feral bee populations are not affected by CCD, and are exploding here in Florida.

Why such the increase?  KILLER BEES!  Yes, African Honey Bees are a vigorous race of bees, well suited for life in the subtropical clime we find here in Florida. And, they likely have evolved with pathogens & pests that most researchers suspect are a probable cause of CCD. So, it's natural that this vigorous, well adapted bee would do very well in Florida.


So it begs the question. Why would one leave a feral bee colony in a building that houses people, pets or animals? 


I think it's largely due to ignorance, and this ongoing belief, strongly held by some, that bees are naturally gentle, and only sting when provoked. So, it's up to the experts to educate the public, especially those that are at greater risk, including equine operations, about the dangers of these 'new breed' of bees. African Bee infestations can be managed properly, greatly reducing the chances of a sting event, but it takes a new attitude, and working with stinging insect specialists. Beekeepers and standard pest control operators are ill-equipped to control these infestations. (Why not? see our post)


We are educating citizens, companies, utilities, firefighters, police and any interested group about the African Honey Bee and issues surrounding it. Our entomologists give presentations and offer consultations to help you manage this threat and we have specialists that remedy infestations daily. Give us a call at 800.343.5317, send us an email, or visit our website to schedule a presentation or for more info and help.


Richard Martyniak, M.Sc. Entomologist
helpful links:

ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com
Our website

AFBEE
University of Florida's African Honey Bee Extension & Education Program

Tommorow, Saturday August 21, 2010 is designated National Honey Bee Appreciation Day.

Come join us as we participate in Orange Blossom Beekeepers Association's Natl. Honey Bee Appreciation Day located at the Orange County Extension Office. The club will have honey, candles, and other products of the hive for sale. Informational exhibits too. Hours are Saturday, August 21, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com will have Entomologists & beekeepers available and various Hymenopteran (bee and wasp) nests, videos of bee removals and information about feral African Honey Bees.

The Orange County Extension Office is located at:

6021 S. Conway Rd. Orlando, FL 32812

here's a google map:

View Larger Map

Orange Blossom's website is Orange Blossom's website is here

Our website is here

feel free to email me or call 321-206-5100 for info

Yeah, sounds oxymoronic, doesn't it, after all you have a lovely colony of honey bees in your house soffit, or wall or even a tree in your yard. Call a beekeeper, they've got to want my bees, and are the experts, right?

Well, hold your horses pardner...Things are changing here in Florida and it's not as simple as you might think, so here are some reasons to reconsider.

1. Killer Bees: Over 70% of feral honey bees in Florida possess African genetics. African bees were introduced into Florida several years ago, probably through our sea ports via coastal island freighters, quickly taking up residence in the port cities of Tampa, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Yeah, Killer Bees are spreading throughout the state, and because of a very defensive nature, the state Apiary inspection office has deemed it illegal to keep African bees in Florida. These bees can cause very significant stinging incidents leading to fatalities...it's serious stuff, folks!

2. The bees are OK: I know this is hard to wrap your head around, but it's true...Honey bees are doing just fine, and actually exploding in numbers. (here in sunny Florida, anyway). See #1. The African Honey Bee is largely immune to pests plaguing our managed honey bee. Estimated colony increases are 2-800% above European honey bee colony numbers, per area.

3. Consumer Protections: Beekeepers are not certified or licensed. Billy Bob Beekeeper may have started beekeeping yesterday, and claims that he is an experienced beekeeper. He screws things up, causing damage to your house, and the bees are still there. What regulatory office do you call to file a complaint or request an inspector to help you out. That's right, you are on your own, because all it takes to become a registered beekeeper is $10 and a heartbeat, and I'm not so sure about the cardiac part!

4. Insurance..I don't need stinkin' Insurance.....Beekeepers do not have Insurance. Well Billy Bob Beekeeper MIGHT have livestock insurance for his bee hives, but you know that wouldn't cover damages to your house, when he cuts through the water supply and your Persian wool carpet is ruined. Nor does he have Workmen's Compensation insurance, so you are holding his medical bills when he falls off the slippery, honey soaked ladder and breaks his collar bone and is put on permanent disability. Think this doesn't happen??

5. And the Experts say what?: The State of Florida's Apiary Inspection office is recommending AGAINST LIVE BEE REMOVALS, and recommends ERADICATION of feral honey bee colonies located near humans or animals. See #1.

6. And this Expert agrees: The University of Florida's Apiary Entomologist is recommending AGAINST LIVE BEE REMOVALS, and recommends ERADICATION of feral honey bee colonies located near humans or animals. See #1. (sensing a trend yet, or do you want to continue...?)

7. The Law says.. Florida State law requires anyone doing structural honey bee removal or eradication to carry pest control certification. See State Statutes, Ch 482. A licensed pest control operator that also is a registered beekeeper CAN perform live bee removals, and we DO perform live bee removals, but we are very selective, because of the following...

8. The untold truth about live bee removals: Most live removals are unsuccessful; Most relocated colonies suffer mortality within the first 90 days. Try as we might, they just don't take. The transfer can be difficult, and provides opportunity for pests and disease to take hold. Or some colonies just insist on leaving our hive boxes. 20% survival is an optimistic figure for long term survival of the colony genetics.

9. Economically speaking: It's just not worth it: Bees that are not kept by beekeepers are considered feral. I like to call them ' Mutts', as we have no clue whether they will exhibit behaviors that are beneficial for beekeeping, including gentleness, honey production, disease resistance, swarming rates, and many other factors. Also add the high rate of transmissable disease that feral bees have, these are diseases that can wipe out an entire apiary!.

Listen, I buy starter colonies of "thoroughbreds" from bee breeders for about $75.00.. Bees that I can count on being good and safe for my bee yards. I figure the mutt bees are worth at most $15 ($75 X a 20% success rate). Live bee removals can take several hours, working in hot beesuits and in very hot Florida temps...How long will YOU work for a possible $15, while extending risk if the mutt bees sting someone, or you are sued for damages caused?

10. You've worked hard for your assets: Sting risk liability. Combine the above considerations, and property owners, managers are placing their assets at significant risk. Bees don't like us relocating them somewhere else. We in the bee removal industry, are used to taking stings, but all it takes, is one errant sting to your allergic neighbor, or passerby on the sidewalk across your street and POW, instant lawsuit. Do you think the jury will have compassion when you were hiring unlicensed providers, against the recommendations of the state regulators and University apiary entomologists. Didn't think so either....

In Closing: Listen, we are experts at this, and we will perform live bee removals properly, but there are considerations. We came into this the right way.. University entomology education, providing extension education to Florida's first responders and citizens, created the State African Bee education program, hold certifications and proper insurances and are considered leaders in this industry. Call or email us. We'll solve your bee problems, correctly and economically, and you can have confidence that you can stay bee-free!

Richard Martyniak M.Sc., Entomologist
ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com

One of our very own Entomologists, Jonathan Simkins, will be featured on Tampa/St. Pete's Bay News 9 tommorow morning, Aug. 10, 2010, talking about the recent African bee attack in Safety Harbor. 3 Tree surgeons were attacked, one seriously, and quite a bit of mis-information has been making the rounds in traditional and social media. Jonathan, a stinging insect entomologist, will provide accurate information about the growing African ("Killer Bee") Honey Bee issue here in Florida, providing tips on how to prevent serious situations.

An arborist suffered hundreds of bee stings in Pinellas County, Fla., last Saturday, and is fortunate to be alive. This is a story that is repeated more and more often, as African ( Killer ) honey bees increase their numbers throughout the state. It's interesting for us, as Entomologists teaching about this defensive stinging insect, because we see attitudes changing in terms of location and time.

When I give talks to tree folks in North Florida, most of the guys (girls too, but I speak in the familiar inclusive way here), tell me that honey bees cause them little if any problems. "They buzz around a little, and a can of wasp spray will take care of them", is a common statement. Well, things-are-a-changin' as this story shows. African bees will attack en-masse, and that can of wasp-freeze will only set them off even more. Oh, and unless that arborist has a pest control license, it's illegal for him (or her) to spray pesticide. That should perk the ears of your insurance company if a sting event occurs on your property!


Excerpt from 10 Connect breaking news story. We were on scene and will report later

Safety Harbor -- A group of tree trimmers were attacked Saturday afternoon after cutting down a branch with an Africanized, or what many refer to as a "killer", bee colony inside.

It happened in the front yard of a home off 3rd Street South in Safety Harbor.

The worker near the top of the tree was stung at least 150 times, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Two other workers were also stung trying to help him reach the ground and get away from the attacking bees.

A fourth tree trimmer was not hurt.

The three injured workers were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff's office.

A beekeeper on scene estimates there were around 50,000 bees in the tree.

10News has learned the names of the three men taken to Mease Countryside Hospital are Ralph St. Peter of Hudson, Anthony Cimillo of Holiday, and Michael Foster of Weeki Wachee.

St. Peter will be kept overnight, while Cimillo and Foster have been released.

You'll hear from them tonight on 10News at 11.
Adam Freeman, 10 News

And the August 8, TBO report excerpt:

He had bees on his arms, legs, face, nose and ears. And when Ralph St. Peter opened his mouth to scream, the bees piled in his mouth. Bees went up his shorts and down his shirt.

"My body was totally encased in bees," St. Peter said, recounting co-workers' description. "You couldn't actually see my body. You just saw the frame of my body."

St. Peter was discharged from Mease Countryside Hospital on Sunday, a day after being stung by more than 500 Africanized honeybees. He still has some pain and discomfort, but he'll return Monday to cut down the oak where the bees had a hive.

"I'd like to take a couple of days off, but I can't afford it," St. Peter said. "If times were a little better, I'd take a day or two off. But it's not."

The Weeki Wachee man was working with a crew Saturday afternoon cutting down three trees at a Safety Harbor home.

A crew leader with Johnson Lawn and Landscape of Tarpon Springs, St. Peter was cutting down a limb when a swarm of Africanized honeybees attacked him.

He tried to repel down the tree, but the rope got stuck on some limbs. The bees came from a hollow log that was 8 feet long and 24 inches wide.

Two of St. Peter's co-workers ran off, but Mike Foster stayed to help. Foster got a knife to St. Peter, who was able to cut the rope and free himself after being stuck in the tree for two to three minutes. Foster was stung 75 times on his hands while trying to get the bees off him, St. Peter said.

"(Today) it feels like I had a run in with a whole bunch of jellyfish," St. Peter said Sunday. "That's how it feels today. Yesterday, it was downright terrible."

St. Peter, 44, has been in the tree business for 30 years and has been a certified arborist for 20 years. He has been stung in the past but has never faced anything like he experienced Saturday.

A domestic honeybee will send two or three bees to attack a person, and the rest of the bees will take off with the queen, St. Peter said. Saturday, the Africanized honeybees came as a swarm.

St. Peter said a professional exterminator was hired to get rid of the bees, so he feels confident returning to finish the job.

In the future, St. Peter said he'll be cautious when working a hollow tree.

"It definitely won't happen again," St. Peter said.

Reporter José Patiño Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

Nothing to take lightly folks.

Richard Martyniak

Does that word instill fear in you? Does your heart race, heightened by 10 thousand bees or more, buzzing around, maybe even darkening the sky?

Well, for myself and other Mellitophiles (Bee-Lovers), encountering a wild swarm normally evokes feelings of awe and warm fuzzy feelings. After all, a swarm is traditionally viewed as a gentle entity, just looking to find a place to build a home and thrive. A swarm event occurs when a mother colony divides, sending the queen and thousands of her children, off to build a new colony in a new location. Normally, with proper care, a swarm is not very defensive, and can be caught, to be relocated in a hive box. All good, right?

NOT! This year 2010 we've encountered several swarms that have attacked us full on, and in one case our technician suffered hundreds of stings before he could get away. These are Africanized Bee swarm traits, and these experiences have really opened our eyes. We've heard of this behavior, but have not previously encountered such ferocious swarms, especially in Central Florida, north of Orlando. Please folks, treat bees with respect, and bee prepared if you should try to take on a swarm. Or better yet , give us a call!! 800-343-5317

EXPIRED, but we are working on securing research funds to conduct similar trials for Fall 2010. Stay tuned..And of course we always perform expert yellow jacket removals for a fee!








Well, we might have a deal for you! Our entomologists are currently conducting research on Yellow jackets in Florida and are looking for a few good yellow jacket nests to perform trials on.
Another common name is ground hornet, so if you are looking for free ground hornet removal, please contact us. If your nest fits the parameters of the study, we may be able to treat your nest for free!!! (or at least a very, very low cost)

EXPIRED, but we are working on securing research funds to conduct similar trials for Fall 2010. Stay tuned..And of course we always perform expert yellow jacket removals for a fee!





Contact us at : 800-343-5317 and mention "Free Yellow Jacket Study"

or go over to this form here, fill it out & of our Entomologists will contact you!

9/16/2009: Note: you can also reach us on our local numbers: Orlando/Brevard/Osceola: 321.206.5100 DeLand/Volusia: 386.490.4541 Jacksonville/St.Augustine: 904.807.6645 Gainesville/Ocala/Lake: 352.870.0346 Tallahasee: 850.391.0272 Tampa/Hillsborough: 813-930-BUGS (2847) Pinellas/St. Petersburg: 727-443-BUGS (2847)


Yellow jackets are wasps that can be extremely fierce defenders of their nests. The populations of these nests can range above 100,000 individuals, making them very dangerous to treat. They are in the Vespid group of wasps, and build nests out of chewed-up barks and other cellulose materials. (Bees produce wax to make their nests)

All Yellow jackets are carnivorous, usually feeding on insects such as caterpillars. They will chew the caterpillars up, right on the spot, and bring the goodies back to the nest, feeding the developing larvae grub. They’ll readily feed on other meat sources too, and often bother hunters, as they are field dressing shot animals. We used to capture them for research using canned tuna!

We have two common Yellow Jacket species in Florida, the Eastern Yellow jacket, Vespula maculifrons, & the Southern Yellow Jacket, Vespula squamosa.

This Yellow Jacket on the left is the Eastern Yellow Jacket. It tends to have small to medium size nests, and in Florida can easily overwinter in the ground, where it usually builds its nests.
This species has one queen per colony, which limits the size of its nests.



We have more info over at our website, ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com


Contact us at : 800-343-5317 and mention "Free Yellow Jacket Study" or our local numbers below:
Orlando/Brevard/Osceola Free Yellow Jacket Removal: 321.206.5100
DeLand/Volusia Free Yellow Jacket Removal: 386.490.4541
Jacksonville/St.Augustine Free Yellow Jacket Removal: 904.807.6645
Gainesville/Ocala/Lake Free Yellow Jacket Removal: 352.870.0346
Tallahassee Free Yellow Jacket Removal: 850.391.0272
Tampa/Hillsborough Free Yellow Jacket Removal: 813-930-BUGS (2847)
Pinellas/St. Petersburg Free Yellow Jacket Removal: 727-443-BUGS (2847)

We responded to a frantic call this morning. A lady in Cocoa Beach had an infestation of honey bees in her soffit, and paid a well-known, national pest control company (hint, starts with "O" & ends with "N"), to take care of the infestation.

here's a video of the bees trying to get back in the opening:



The technician from this company, applied a dust product that is commonly used in the pest control industry, and sealed up the colony opening with an expanding foam product. Two days later, the client arrives home from Saturday shopping, and is immediately attacked by bees. She hurries inside, only to find THOUSANDS of bees in her living room and kitchen!! Can you imagine this??? It had to be very frightening.

We arrived to find neighbors complaing of being harassed and stung. We performed a proper treatment, opened up the soffit, removed the colony, and sealed it up proper. We do this every day, and know how to do it right. Call us at 321-206-5100 for a free estimate!

So, this really bugs me. (excuse me, lol). This client paid the national company, twice our rate, only to be assailed by bees. They were not available on Saturday, when she was attacked. We see this frequently... Well meaning technicians, good at controlling roaches or flies, try their hand at bees or yellowjackets and make the problem MUCH WORSE! In this case the dust product is repellent and aggravating to bees, and will drive them into living areas. Plus, it's rather difficult to kill a mature colony of bees, as they can fill several feet of wall, soffit, or joist voids, and a simple dust application only kills a small portion.

Plus, here in Brevard County, we are encountering Africanized Honey bees on a daily basis, and the incidents will only increase as these bees fill out the ecological niches, and become commonplace. Is it worth the risk to use a generalist for these complicated, potentially dangerous social insects?

I like to use a medical analogy.. you may think your family doctor is the bees knees (oops, there I go again), but would you trust him/her to perform complicated heart surgery?

And you shouldn't use a general pest control company for Bee Removals either! We at ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com are University of Florida trained Urban Entomologists (insect scientists), registered beekeepers & Licensed & Insued Pest Control Operators. We work with stinging insects daily, and have developed protocols to protect you, our valued clients. Give us a call at 321-206-5100 for a free estimate!

We service the following Brevard County cities & towns & perform brevard live honey bee removals, when appropriate.


Cape Canaveral bee removal,
Cocoa bee removal
Cocoa Beach bee removal
Grant-Valkaria bee removal
Indialantic bee removal
Indian Harbour Beach bee removal
Malabar bee removal
Melbourne bee removal
Melbourne Beach bee removal
Melbourne Village bee removal
Palm Bay bee removal
Palm Shores bee removal
Rockledge bee removal
Satellite Beach bee removal
Titusville bee removal
West Melbourne bee removal
Allenhurst bee removal
Angel City bee removal
Aurantia bee removal
Aurora bee removal
Ballard Pines bee removal
Barefoot Bay bee removal
Bellwood bee removal
Bonaventure bee removal
Canaveral Groves bee removal
City Point bee removal
Cocoa West bee removal
Courtenay bee removal
Delespine bee removal
Dummit Cove bee removal
Dummit Grove bee removal
East Mims bee removal
Eau Gallie bee removal
Floridana Beach bee removal
Footman bee removal
Frontenac bee removal
Georgiana bee removal
Indian River City bee removal
Jay Jay bee removal
June Park bee removal
Kennedy Space Center bee removal
Kings Park bee removal
La Grange bee removal
Lotus bee removal
Melbourne Village bee removal
Merritt Island bee removal
Micco bee removal
Mims bee removal
Pineda bee removal
Port St. John bee removal
Rockwell bee removal
Scottsmoor bee removal
Sharpes bee removal
Sherwood bee removal
Shiloh bee removal
South Cocoa Beach bee removal
South Patrick Shores bee removal
Southmere bee removal
Sunnyland Beachbee removal
Suntree bee removal
Tropic bee removal
Turnbull bee removal
Viera bee removal
West Eau Gallie bee removal
Whispering Hills bee removal
Wiley bee removal
Williams Point bee removal
Wilson bee removal

Today I received a phone call from a gentleman in Melbourne, Florida, who wanted me to perform a free live honey bee removal.

I explained to him that we are finding our Brevard County Live Honey Bee removals mostly turn out to be mean Africanized Honey Bees, and that while I will consider doing live bee removals, I turn down many, because the sting risk is just too high, especially in tight suburban or urban settings.

He seemed to be understanding this, so when I then explained that we usually charge more for these live removals, he was obviously getting rifled up a bit. I explained that in order to perform a TRUE Live bee removal, we have to be careful, work slowly to protect the brood (eggs,larvae,pupae), and that we then have to re-queen the colony to introduce gentle European genetics into the colony. Of course, we have to purchase the queens, and spend a good deal of time caring for the newly transferred bee hive box.

Well, he evidently had enough, told me that I should "be paying him" to get these bees out of his house, because "you are going to make money off these bees!".

I was befuddled. This guy clearly has no grasp of what it takes to be a successful beekeeper. Most beekeepers will gladly tell you that this hobby or even business TAKES money to keep going. If one is successful, Bee sure that it is hard work and one is not getting rich off of bees. And that's with bees that come from a great genetic line, selected for things like putting away honey, disease resistance, gentleness, etc.

The going price for a starter colony of "thoroughbred" bees is $50-$75. Yep, I'm sure making lots of money with your bees!

When we do Central Florida Live Bee Removals, it's like throwing dice...We never know what kind of bees we'll get.. They usually turn into mean colonies as the colony becomes mature, they often will swarm out of the hive boxes, they put away small amounts of honey, etc.

Plus, factor in the cost of salaries (yes, I do pay my guys, hello???), truck expense, diesel fuel, auto insurance, Workmen's comp (don't you WANT us to protect you, the client, hello???), Commercial General Liability Insurance (again...??), and of course many more expenses. I haven't found a Chevron station that will give me free diesel!

And remember, we are experts, with 3 entomologists and other highly trained professionals. That's got to be worth something, or do you like billy-bob and his helper, with no insurance and a hand axe, tearing open your home. Do you?

And to top if off, Our regulator of beekeeping, Apiary section, Fla Dept. of Agriculture, is "highly recommending" that we eradicate all feral honey bees that are close to human or animal activity..primarily because of the spreading of Africanized Honey Bees in the state. What happens if I do a live removal and an allergic neighbor gets stung and dies or is severely injured? What happens to me then? I'll tell you what, I'm shark food for the lawyers!

All to play the roulette wheel or throw the dice with your bees.

Yes, "Mr.-Your-gonna-make-money-off-my-bees", you can keep your bees. Thank you very much.

For those that understand value, I remain committed to providing the best Live Bee Removal services in the State of Florida. I really do love performing proper live bee removal in Florida, when we can.

You can call anytime: 800-343-5317 or visit us online at: ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com

we service the following: Daytona live bee removal, Port Orange Live bee removal, DeLand live bee removal,Sanford live bee removal,Apopka live bee removal, Altamonte live bee removal, Maitland live bee removal, Winter Park live bee removal, Orlando live bee removal, Windermere live bee removal, Kissimee live bee removal, St. Cloud live bee removal, Titusville live bee removal, Cocoa live bee removal, Cocoa Beach live bee removal, Rockledge live bee removal, Melbourne live bee removal, Palm Bay live bee removal .

Today I checked out a Southern Yellow Jacket nest for some research I'm doing. It's rather unusual, as it's almost all above ground. We sometimes see above ground nests in swampy areas, where the Yellow Jackets can't survive burrowing in the wet mucky soil. I shot this video, just to get some initial views. It's very rough, butWe hope to go back tomorrow, and shoot closeups of the nest attacking our technician Jason, as he weedeats nearby. (Don't worry, he'll be in a bee suit. or two!)

The nest measures about 3'X2'X2', not huge in our experience, but quite significant. It contains at least 50,000 individuals!!! It sure could put a hurting on you if you stumbled upon it. This nest size could even be fatal If one is allergic or not very mobile.

Call us anytime at 800-343-5317 or visit our website: ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com