According to Gary Grose of the Tipton Valley Honey Company, the swarm of bees that was found at Friendship Inn apartments on August 21 has been confirmed by Oklahoma State University to have been Africanized Honey Bees (AHB's), otherwise known as "killer bees."

"If anyone has bees moving in or out of their area," Grose said, "they need to contact the Altus Police Department or Tipton Valley Honey immediately for their removal."

AHB's are descendants of southern African bees imported by Brazilian scientists in 1956 attempting to breed a honey bee better adapted to the South American tropics.

Some of these bees escaped in 1957 and began breeding with Brazilian honey bees, quickly multiplying and extending their range throughout South and Central America at a rate of about 200 miles per year. In the past ten years, AHB's have began to invade North America.

The bees acquired the name "killer bees" because they will viciously attack people and animals who unwittingly stray into their territory, often resulting in serious injury or death.

According to Grose, the bees found at Friendship Inn apartments were not aggressive because they had not had time to make a hive and there were no babies to defend.

Though the "killer bees" venom is no more potent that regular honey bees, they attack in far greater numbers and pursue enemies greater distances.

Once disturbed, they may remain agitated for up to 24 hours, attacking people and animals within a range of a quarter mile from the hive.

The bees that were reported to have attacked five workers outside of Tipton earlier this year have also been confirmed as being "killer bees."

Both bee colonies have been confirmed through the Tuscon Bee Lab, which is the federal bee lab that is in charge of AHB's.

"Any honey bee found in Jackson County at this time should be considered to be a first generation hybrid AHB," said Grose.

He also added that the main onslaught of bees will be in the next 3 to 4 years. By this time, all the bees in our area will be AHB's.

Grose said that this problem is not one that the average citizen can handle. Individuals need to leave all bees found alone and the proper authorities need to be contacted.

You may contact Gary at the Tipton Valley Honey Company at (580) 667-5390 or 471-5290, or contact the Altus Police Department by dialing 911 or calling 481-2230.