Africanized honeybees confirmed in Alabama, local beekeepers urged to stay alert

Africanized honeybees confirmed in Alabama, local beekeepers urged to stay alert
GCM Staff Report


The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has confirmed Africanized honeybees, commonly known as AHBs or "killer bees," have been found in Barbour County for the first time.

According to a news release, local beekeepers collected a feral swarm, which was later euthanized to protect the state's honeybee population.

Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate said the department is taking swift action to contain the aggressive honeybee strain and prevent its spread.

"There is no reason for public concern at this time, but we are treating this situation seriously," Pate said in the release. "Our team is actively collaborating with local beekeepers and entomology experts to ensure swift detection and appropriate response. Protecting both the health of our communities and Alabama's honeybee populations is our top priority."

State officials have deployed traps within a 5-mile radius of the detection site to monitor for any additional swarms. Beekeepers in the area are being contacted and given detailed guidance on how to recognize and manage Africanized bees, which can be more defensive than the European honeybees common to Alabama.


Africanized honeybees are a hybrid of African and European honeybees. While they look nearly identical, they tend to defend their colonies more aggressively, may swarm more often and can nest in unexpected places like utility boxes or debris piles. Experts note that these bees typically do not pose a threat unless provoked but can pursue perceived threats up to a mile.

The department urges the public not to disturb or remove any colonies or swarms on their own. Reports of unusually aggressive bees should be made immediately to ADAI's State Apiary Protection Unit at (334) 240-7228 or (334) 240-7172. More information is available at https://agi.alabama.gov/plantprotection/apiary-protection-unit/.

To help the public handle non-threatening honeybee swarms safely, ADAI maintains a list of registered beekeepers who can remove swarms without harming the pollinators. In Baldwin County, residents can reach out to:

• Jessie Barrett, Faith Construction Company LLC, (251) 362-4187

• Rebekah Hargraves, B's Bees LLC, (251) 964-0559


• Jeremy Chapman, (910) 813-6667

• John DeCastra, Castra Isidore Farm LLC, (205) 919-0040

• Michael Priebel, Blue Heaven Hives, (813) 399-2934

• Wes Benton, (770) 329-0015

• Beverly Langer, Gigi's Bees, (251) 643-5707

• Timothy Delaney, Delaney Honey Bee Farm, (251) 213-0116

According to the department, only B's Bees LLC is insured. The full beekeeper referral list can be found at https://agi.alabama.gov/plantprotection/removal-beekeepers/.