Most attacks start at a nest someone already knew about.

Apis mellifera scutellata is the African honey bee this paper means in the Americas. African Honey Bee is the UF/IFAS Featured Creatures page. James D. Ellis and Amanda Ellis. Warwick Kerr brought the race to Brazil in the late 1950s. The quarantine ended when colonies swarmed. They spread 200 to 300 miles a year through South and Central America. They reached the United States in 1990. By 2012 this paper lists Florida among the southern states that had them. European honey bees is the European sister profile. You still cannot eyeball the difference.

In the US, a large percentage of African bee attacks occur on people who know a nest is present but elect not to have it removed or try to do it themselves.

Hundreds of guards, same venom

the African Honey Bee paper: European stock may send 10 to 20 bees at a nest intruder. African stock may send hundreds. They defend a wider radius and start on less stimulus. They are slightly smaller, so a single sting likely carries less venom, not more. Both races use the same type of venom. Deaths on this paper come from the number of stings, unless the person is allergic, in which case one sting can kill. The nickname "killer" is about that count, not a different poison. European vs African bees is the short guard table.

Children, older people, and some disabled people are at highest risk because they cannot leave fast. Power equipment agitates them: mowers, tractors, blowers. Look for bees going in and out of a hole before you start the engine. living with African bees is the pet page. A hanging swarm of either race is usually docile. The nest is the fight.

They swarm more and take smaller holes

European colonies on this paper swarm one to three times a year. African colonies may swarm more than ten times, in smaller clusters. They also abscond when forage fails or the nest is disturbed. European stock rarely does that. Nest sites: water meters, cement blocks, old tires, eaves, grills, holes in the ground, and comb hanging off a limb. European stock prefers a larger cavity, a tree hollow or a chimney. People leave the small holes. That is why people meet this race.

They can take over a European colony. A small swarm with a queen lands on the box. Workers trade food. The European queen is lost. The African queen is in. European stock does not do that job. Development is faster: queen about 14 days versus 16, worker 19 to 20 versus 21, drone 24 either way. First queen out kills her sisters. More drones in the air means a European virgin is more likely to mate African. bee-proofing is closing the empty hole. This paper's own gap size is 30 mm. Screen or caulk after the nest is gone.

Run. Cover the face. Scrape the sting.

the African Honey Bee paper: if they attack, run away from the nest. Cover the head and airways with a shirt. Tall grass or small trees break the flight. Do not stand and swat. Get into a vehicle or a building if one is there. Do not jump into water. Do not hide in a bush. They can stay defensive. Scrape a sting. Do not pinch it. See a doctor if breathing changes. Florida Poison Control is still 1-800-222-1222 on the FDACS AHB page.

South and Central American keepers work this race with more smoke, one colony per stand, a full suit, and often a white-faced veil because dark mesh collects bees. Cool smoke before you open a box you already keep. African stock on this paper wants more of it. Get this. A light-faced veil. Dark mesh collects bees. Get this. This page does not tell a Florida hobbyist to keep African stock. United States management on this paper has been discouraged. A wall nest is still hive removal.

Sources

1. African Honey Bee. Ellis and Ellis. Spread, guards, nest sites, attack advice.
2. European Honey Bee. The sister species profile.
3. Differences Between European and African Honey Bees. The short defense table.

You cannot eyeball Africanized beesClose empty holes on bee-proofing. Hire removal on hive removal.