The African Honey Bee (AHB)

Although all honey bees will sting when their nest is threatened by invaders, African bees will defend their nests with less provocation, in greater numbers and for longer distances than the docile European honey bees that most beekeepers manage here in the U.S. A single African bee sting is no more venomous than a single European bee sting. The most important difference is in their behavior. African bees produce more offspring, defend their nests much more fiercely and in greater numbers. No bees try to hurt people. They are simply defending their territory. If people disturb the hive or if a hive is accidentally disturbed, the bees are likely to react adversely.

Researchers brought the African bees to Brazil in the 1950s in an attempt to improve the productivity of Brazilian bees. A large wild population quickly developed and spread through South America, Central America and Mexico. In the 1990's, the Africanized honey bee was identified in Texas and has since spread though the southwest US.

If you do disturb a wild hive of honeybees - RUN and SEEK SHELTER. Run for an enclosed building or vehicle. Bees that do get inside usually become disoriented and go to the light at the windows 

Managed hives are the first and best defense against an area becoming Africanized. Managed bees dilute AHB populations, prevent AHB take over of European honey bee hives, and AHB are less attracted to areas were other foragers exist.