American Society of Safety Engineers Alert Members to Risk of Harmful, Sometimes Deadly Bees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Contact: Diane Hurns, 847-768-3413, dhurns@asse.org

DES PLAINES, IL (July 18, 2007) -- The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), representing more than 30,000 occupational safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals, is alerting its members about the rapid growth of the harmful, aggressive Africanized Honey Bees (AHBs) in the U.S., their negative impact on European Honey Bees (EHBs) and agriculture and on workplace safety. Continue...

Bee Safe Quick Guide

From the Texas A&M University Honey Bee Information Site.

What to do if you find Bees on your property

1. Stay away from all honey bee swarms and colonies.
2. Get away from bees as quickly as possible.
3. While running away, protect your face and eyes as much as possible.
4. Take shelter in an enclosed area, such as a car, truck, or building.
5. Call a local beekeeper, pest control company, or local cooperative extenstion agent for assistance.
6. Do not hide in water or thick brush.
7. Do not stand still and swat at bees; rapid movements will cause them to sting.

What to do if stung

1. Get away from bees as quickly as possible. Go to a safe area away from the bees such as inside a car, truck, or buildling.
2. Pull or scrape stings from skin as soon as possible. Most venom is released within one minute.
3. Wash stung areas with soap and water like any other wound to prevent infection.
4. Apply ice to relieve pain and swelling.
5. Seek medical attention if breathing is difficult, if you are stung many times, or if you are allergic to bee stings.

Safety Tips - July 2007

The American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) 30,000+ occupational safety, health and environmental (SH&E) members are concerned about the rapid growth of the dangerous Africanized Honey Bees (AHBs) in the U.S. and their negative impact on European Honey Bees (EHBs) and agriculture. First found in the U.S. in southern Texas in 1990, AHBs are now found in much of the south, the southeast and the southwest, including California. AHBs are more aggressive than EHBs and garden bees and can be more dangerous to people and animals.

ASSE members are getting the word out to members around the U.S. and worldwide in an effort to help prevent injuries and to limit the negative impact the spread of AHBs could have on the economy. Continue...

First found in southern Texas in 1990, Africanized honey bees are now found in much of the South.

More information can be found at the United States Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service website.

• Powerpoint Presentation by Dr. William Kern, Jr. (ppt)