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Florida pages

You cannot eyeball Africanized bees

Florida has had Africanized honey bees since at least the early 2000s. UF says that in Keeping Bees in Florida. FDACS says you cannot tell them from European honey bees by looking. Genetic testing only.

FDACS also says Africanized colonies may swarm as many as 16 times a year. European stock more like once or twice. That is a behavior difference, not a field ID you make from a porch.

If you need a sample, contact a local apiary inspector. They can send material to FDACS-DPI Diagnostics. Stings: Florida Poison Control, 1-800-222-1222.

This is not a reason to spray a swarm on a branch. A swarm is still often a colony in transit. Stay back. Use the swarm page, the club, or the FDACS removal path.

FDACS, Africanized honey bees https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Health-and-Safety/Africanized-Honey-Bees

UF honey-bee FAQs https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/honey-bee/faqs/

Keeping Bees in Florida, Keeping Bees in Florida https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AA264

Apiary inspector directory https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Office-Locations/Apiary-Inspector-Directory