The Africanized Honey Bee, also know as the Killer Bee due to its aggressive stature, poses a serious threat. This species has been present within the United States since 1990 and at peak times of performance has spread as rapidly as one mile per day. The Africanized bee can currently be found throughout the entire Southwest and is almost indistinguishable from the commonly found European Bee. Many scientists predict that if this species continues to flourish within US borders it could result in devastating losses for farmers, beekeepers, and agriculture in general.

Because of the added aggression found within the Africanized Bee, this species is very difficult to work with. When found within nature these colonies are much more likely to attack anything that threatens their hive, and they will pursue a trespasser a much greater distance before returning to their home. Although their sting is no more lethal than the European Bee’s, the multitude of attackers can effectively overwhelm a healthy immune system and result in a very sudden death. Children and the elderly are especially endangered when the Africanized Bee is present, and removal of these hives should only be attempted by licensed professionals who possess the proper safety equipment.