The short answer is YES! Recently Thomas
Berrones, 61 of Brownsville, Texas died following killer bee attack.
Bee-related deaths have been reported in
other parts of the Rio Grande Valley and several animal deaths have
also been reported.
The real name for this species is the
Africanized honeybee, (A.H.B.) but the media, in an effort to hype up
their stories has nicknamed them killer bees.
The Africanized bees are about 5 to 8
percent smaller than the European bees, but can only be properly
identified by their D.N.A. in a lab.
It is estimated that it would take 1,000
stings to a person to be lethal and since the A.H.B. is so aggressive,
this scenario is highly likely.
Brad Parker of Parker Pest Control says
"there was an incident last year in South Eastern Oklahoma where two
highway workers were attacked by Africanized bees. They both survived
but were stung multiple times and one of the men was hospitalized over
night."
When an A.H.B. attacks, it emits a
pheromone that other bees detect that say ATTACK, so unlike the
European honeybee that may send a few bees out, the A.H.B. can send
hundreds out for battle. They are attracted to out face and that is
the first place they sting.
If a bee stings you, don't grab the
stinger to pull it out because you will actually inject more venom
from their stinger. It is recommended that you flick it out with your
finger, or better yet with a credit card.
A.H.B. hybrids of the European and
African breeds were released in Brazil in 1957 and steadily made their
way across the Americas, replacing local beehives as they went. They
will completely take over the more docile and more productive European
bee.
If you are attacked by A.H.B. run and try
to take cover behind closed doors, in a house, shed, or a vehicle.
Jumping in water will not help. The bees will just hover until you
come up for air.
Loud noises like lawn mowers, weed
eaters, or chain saws drive them crazy and if they are anywhere close
to these sounds they will attack relentlessly.
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