SALT LAKE CITY -- What is a killer bee? What do they look like? Where are they found? What do you do if you see one or a swarm? Here are some tips to help keep you safe.

One attack on a human by a killer bee in the Beryl area of Iron County has been confirmed, according to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

African honey bees were first imported to the Americas in 1956 by Brazilian geneticist Warwick Kerr. He desired to use African stock to produce a new breed of honey bees.

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Inside a 'killer bee' attack

About a hundred colonies of aggressive "killer bees" have been found and eradicated in Southwestern Utah, but the bees are here to stay. KSL's John Hollenhorst found out firsthand what it's like to be in an Africanized bee attack.

Kerr and his associates produced a number of first-generation hybrids, now known as Africanized honey bees. In 1957 (according to Kerr), a local beekeeper accidentally released 26 Africanized honey bee queens with small swarms into the nearby forest.

Within a few years, reports began arriving from surrounding areas of wild bees relentlessly attacking farm animals and even humans. Many Brazilian farmers suffered livestock losses and, eventually, there were human fatalities as well. By the early 1960s, it was clear that a rapid expansion had occurred among feral bee colonies and that the Africanized honey bees were moving quickly into other parts of the country.

On Feb. 11, 2009, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food announced the confirmed presence of Africanized honey bees (AHB) in southern Utah. AHB, also known as killer bees, first entered the United States in Oct. 1990 via Hidalgo, Texas.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has maintained trap lines throughout the southern part of the state in an effort to monitor the spread of killer bees since 1990. Although swarms of bees have been caught in their traps, it was not until 2009 that any of the bees captured were confirmed to be AHB. Although those bees were destroyed, it is likely that other colonies are present and that these colonies will establish viable populations.

Officials say the general public can take steps to reduce the possibilities of stings by acquainting themselves with the major types of bees present in Utah.

Bees live in hollow trees, rock cavities and occasionally even in the open on a tree or bush. Beekeepers keep their hives in backyards, orchards and open fields. These hives are usually the standard white boxes stacked on top of one another. While honey bees are fairly docile, it is best to avoid these hives and to teach children to leave them alone as well.

Create a bee safety plan with your family. Listen for buzzing when entering an area that would indicate a nest or swarm. Enter potential nesting sites such as sheds, old cars and garages carefully. If you or anyone in your family has a known allergy to bee stings, obtain a prescription for a sting kit from your doctor. When hiking or camping, avoid wearing dark clothing and cover your hair. If you take your dogs with you, keep them under control; dogs can disturb a nest and lead the bees back to you.

Killer Bees:

Side-by-side comparison

Learn what types of bees you may encounter in your neighborhood and how they are working for you.

Take the following steps to prevent bees from establishing colonies on your property:

• Inspect exterior walls and eaves; close any openings greater than 1/8 inch.

• Install 1/8-inch hardware cloth over vents, rain spouts, utility boxes, dryer vents, swing set openings, tree cavities, etc.

• Tighten leaky faucets and other water connections; a ready supply of water is very attractive to bees.

• Completely close in unused or seldom-used vehicles; eliminate them from your property if possible.

• Fill in holes in rock walls or holes in the ground caused by mice, gophers etc.

If you are attacked by bees, regardless of whether they are AHB or not, run away from the location as quickly as possible and do not stop running until you can take shelter in a vehicle, home or other secure building. While running away, pull your shirt up over your head to protect the head and neck.

If you cannot get away to a secure location, cover yourself with blankets, clothes, sleeping bags, tarps, etc., whatever is on hand. Stay under cover and crawl away; European bees will typically subside after 20 minutes to an hour; killer bees may remain agitated for a full 24 hours. Once you are safely away from the bees, remove all the stingers by scraping them out of your skin with a fingernail or credit card; do not squeeze them with fingers or tweezers as this will inject more venom into you. If you feel nauseated, dizzy or have shortness of breath, do not hesitate to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency care provider — you need medical attention!

If you discover a swarm of bees or a colony of bees on your property or in an area of heavy use, you should report it. In Utah County, the local association maintains a large list of beekeepers that will come and remove swarms at no charge. This list is provided to all cities in the county and to the sheriff’s department, Utah Highway Patrol and other agencies that may be contacted by citizens. Individual citizens are also welcome to refer to the association website.

For areas outside of Utah County, there are also other associations that maintain swarm lists.

For Salt Lake County, the Wasatch Beekeepers Association works with the UCBA in maintaining a comprehensive list of beekeepers who will remove swarms. Their website is www.wasatchbeekeepers.com. For other counties, visit the Utah Beekeepers' website.

Do not attempt to do anything with the swarm yourself. Do not harass the swarm; do not spray it with water or chemicals or pesticides. Do keep your family and animals inside until the beekeeper arrives.

Be prepared and be safe.

Becky Robinette Wright is a freelance writer and photographer who lives in Virginia.

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