Aggressive Africanized honeybees spread to 13 States, including Alabama
Africanized honeybees, also known as "killer bees," have spread to 13 states, including Alabama, posing threats to people and animals.
Here's what to know about Africanized honeybees and their presence in Alabama.
Africanized honeybees, a mix of African and European bees, are far more aggressive than honeybees. They attack in large numbers, chase people and animals for up to a mile, even follow cars, and can sting through standard beekeeping gear.
Africanized honeybees look almost identical to regular honeybees, so much so that most people can't tell the difference. They're slightly smaller, with golden-yellow coloring and darker brown bands, but only experts can spot the difference by measuring their wings and body size.
Killer bees first grabbed headlines in the 1990s after showing up in the U.S. They thrive in warm, tropical climates and struggle to survive cold winters, so they're primarily found in southern states.
Africanized honeybees don't pack more venom than regular honeybees but attack in bigger numbers. Each bee can sting only once before it dies, but when the colony feels threatened, hundreds may swarm and sting.
If you're getting attacked, experts recommend running away quickly in a zigzag pattern and seeking shelter in a building or car. Jumping into the water is not recommended because the bees will wait for you to resurface.
In 2024, the Alabama Department of Agriculture confirmed the invasive bees in Jackson and St. Clair counties after local beekeepers collected wild swarms. Officials euthanized the bees and set traps within a five-mile radius to monitor for more.
Africanized honeybees have been reported in at least 13 states, with Florida seeing the highest numbers. Here's where these aggressive bees have been spotted so far:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
Nevada
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Texas
Utah
Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Are killer bees a threat in Alabama? Here's what to know
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
5 hours ago
- Business Insider
10 best universities in Africa, according to latest ranking
The top four universities on the continent are all based in South Africa, with six of the top ten coming from the country. Egypt also had a strong showing, with three universities making it into the top tier. Business Insider Africa presents the10 best universities in Africa, according to latest ranking. The list is courtesy of QS World University Rankings. The top four universities on the continent are all based in South Africa, with six of the top ten coming from the country. The 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings highlights just how much progress the continent is making in higher education. With over 1,500 universities ranked across more than 100 locations worldwide, several African institutions are standing out, not just regionally, but globally. QS uses a well-rounded methodology to assess universities, focusing on factors like research output, academic reputation, graduate employability, and industry partnerships. These criteria are grouped into three broad categories: Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, and Learning Experience. The rankings don't just reflect academic performance, they also measure how well universities prepare students for real-world success. For the umpteenth year in a row, MIT grabbed the global top spot, while nearly 500 other institutions saw their rankings improve. One of the biggest surprises was Sunway University in Malaysia, which jumped over 120 places. But an interesting trend also emerged in Africa. The top four universities on the continent are all based in South Africa, with six of the top ten coming from the country. Egypt also had a strong showing, with three universities making it into the top tier. At the top of the list in Africa is the University of Cape Town, ranked 150th globally. It's followed closely by the University of the Witwatersrand and Stellenbosch University which ranked 291st and 302nd respectively. Below are the 10 best universities in Africa, according to latest ranking: Rank Country Global rank Country 1 University of Cape Town 150th Cape Town, South Africa 2 University of Witwatersrand 291 Johannesburg, South Africa 3 Stellenbosch University 302nd Stellenbosch, South Africa 4 University of Johannesburg 308th Johannesburg, South Africa 5 Cairo University 347th Giza, Egypt 6 University of Pretoria 363nd Pretoria, South Africa 7 The American University in Cairo 381st Cairo, Egypt 8 Ain Shams University in Cairo (ASU, Cairo) 542nd Cairo, Egypt 9 University of Kwazulu-Natal 558th Pinetown, South Africa 10 Université de Tunis El Manar 731-740 Tunis, Tunisia
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tiny but deadly: Asian needle ants now found in Alabama, experts warn of stings
Watch your step. A venomous ant species is making its way across the country and has been found in Alabama. Asian needle ants have a sting that's not only painful but can trigger serious allergic reactions, even deadly ones, in rare cases. Initially from East Asia, they were detected in the U.S. in 1932. Since then, they've taken hold in the Southeast and are creeping into new regions. Experts warn the ants pose ecological and health risks as they spread. Don't let their size fool you. These ants pack a serious punch. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the most alarming thing about Asian needle ants is their sting. It's not just painful, in some cases, it can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Officials urge caution, especially for people sensitive to bee or ant stings, as they may be more likely to have severe responses. Asian needle ants aren't just showing up in cities, they're invading quiet, undisturbed forests too. They like to nest in logs, leaf litter, under stones and inside piles of debris. But they're just as comfortable near homes and businesses where they hide under mulch, pavers, and landscape timbers. Experts say they are highly adaptable and turning up in more places than ever as Asian needle ants hit their peak in the summer months, especially July and August. Researchers say Asian needle ants are more than just a nuisance, they're changing ecosystems. In areas where they take over, native ants that help spread plant seeds disappear. Without those native ants, many forest plants struggle to reproduce, which could lead to long-term damage to forest health and biodiversity. According to iNaturalist, these are the states where confirmed sightings of Asian needle ants have been reported: Alabama Arkansas Georgia Indiana Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Mississippi New York North Carolina Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Virginia West Virginia Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Asian needle ants confirmed in Alabama, sting can cause allergic shock
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Aggressive Africanized honeybees spread to 13 States, including Alabama
Africanized honeybees, also known as "killer bees," have spread to 13 states, including Alabama, posing threats to people and animals. Here's what to know about Africanized honeybees and their presence in Alabama. Africanized honeybees, a mix of African and European bees, are far more aggressive than honeybees. They attack in large numbers, chase people and animals for up to a mile, even follow cars, and can sting through standard beekeeping gear. Africanized honeybees look almost identical to regular honeybees, so much so that most people can't tell the difference. They're slightly smaller, with golden-yellow coloring and darker brown bands, but only experts can spot the difference by measuring their wings and body size. Killer bees first grabbed headlines in the 1990s after showing up in the U.S. They thrive in warm, tropical climates and struggle to survive cold winters, so they're primarily found in southern states. Africanized honeybees don't pack more venom than regular honeybees but attack in bigger numbers. Each bee can sting only once before it dies, but when the colony feels threatened, hundreds may swarm and sting. If you're getting attacked, experts recommend running away quickly in a zigzag pattern and seeking shelter in a building or car. Jumping into the water is not recommended because the bees will wait for you to resurface. In 2024, the Alabama Department of Agriculture confirmed the invasive bees in Jackson and St. Clair counties after local beekeepers collected wild swarms. Officials euthanized the bees and set traps within a five-mile radius to monitor for more. Africanized honeybees have been reported in at least 13 states, with Florida seeing the highest numbers. Here's where these aggressive bees have been spotted so far: Alabama Arizona Arkansas California Florida Georgia Louisiana Mississippi Nevada New Mexico Oklahoma Texas Utah Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Are killer bees a threat in Alabama? Here's what to know
