What the News Isn’t Telling You About Africanized Honey Bees.
- Pete Rizzo
- Aug 6
- 5 min read
Why Africanized Honey Bees Get a Bad Rap.
Every time a headline screams “Bees Attack!”, I instinctively brace myself.
Not for the swarm, but for the tidal wave of fear-based misinformation that follows. Recently, Las Vegas and news outlets across the country have been quick to villainize Africanized honey bees.
The stories make the rounds on TV, radio, and social media, often featuring graphic images and painful sound bites. But there’s something missing from nearly every one of these reports: the full story.
Why did the bees sting? What was the situation at the hive before the incident?Did someone accidentally or purposely provoke them, or was their colony under threat? That crucial context is almost never covered.
Remember Throwing Rocks at Hornet Nests as a Kid?
Most of us did something reckless like that growing up. I'm embarrassed to say I took part in that a few times as a kid.
Who knows why? We were just kids and maybe we thought we were invincible.
We’d throw a rock at a wasp nest or a hornet nest and run for our lives, screaming and laughing.
We knew, even as kids, that if we disturbed their home, we were going to get chased.
That instinct hasn’t changed. Insects like bees, hornets, and wasps don’t attack for fun. They’re hardwired to defend their colony.
So when we hear about bee stings on the news with no explanation of what triggered the response, it’s like hearing that someone got chased by a dog without knowing they kicked it first.
We were smart enough to run after we threw the rock. Now we need to be smart enough to ask what provoked the bees, instead of assuming they attacked out of nowhere.
Bees Don’t Sting Without a Reason
Africanized bees, like all honey bees, are defensive, not aggressive. That may sound like a subtle distinction, but it’s everything.
Bees do not chase humans or animals out of malice. They respond to threats against their hive, which they see as a matter of survival. And yes, Africanized bees are quicker to react, but they still don’t sting without provocation.
Here are some of the most common situations that lead to bee stings:
Loud machinery or vibrations: Lawnmowers, weed trimmers, or even speakers placed too close to a hive can agitate bees.
Scent triggers: Perfume, cologne, alcohol, or certain soaps can provoke defensive behavior.
Pets poking around: Curious dogs or cats sniffing a hive may be perceived as intruders.
Unintentional threats: A person unknowingly blocks a hive entrance or swats at scout bees.
Intentional threats: Trying to steal honey from a beehive, spraying them with a hose or bug spray, throwing things at a hive.
Yet these triggers are almost never mentioned in mainstream reports.
Why the “Killer Bee” Label Is Misleading
The term “killer bee” was coined by the media decades ago and it has stuck like glue. But the truth is far less dramatic.
Africanized honey bees are not a different species; they’re a hybrid of the European honey bee.
They’re more heat-tolerant, and more protective of their hives.
They make excellent honey producers and are often indistinguishable from regular bees unless genetically tested.
The danger comes not from the bees themselves but from how humans interact with them, especially in densely populated areas where unmanaged colonies can pose a real threat.
What You Won’t Hear on the News
Let’s look at what’s usually left out of the story:
Typical Media Coverage | What’s Missing |
“Man stung 200 times.” | Was the hive disturbed by yardwork, a pet, or vandalism? |
“Bees swarm elementary school.” | Was there a feral hive in a nearby wall or tree hollow? |
“Dog killed by bees.” | Was the dog left unsupervised near a colony or structure bees had colonized? |
Context matters. Bees are not lurking in wait to attack. Something always triggers the event.
We’ve Seen the Other Side Firsthand
At Vegas Bees, we’ve removed hundreds of hives from walls, sheds, roofs, and yards. We’ve calmed down hot hives. We’ve relocated feral colonies. And we’ve seen just how avoidable most incidents are, if people know what to look for.
We have to be very careful when we approach a hive too. We don't know the bees and how they will react to us being there. There are times we meet up with Africanized bees that let us know we are not welcome there.
When we get into a hive, it's no wonder why the bees can be upset by the intrusion. We are after all breaking into their house. We have to dig in and get it done as painlessly and careful as we can.
We’re passionate about education, not fear. We want everyone to understand bees better so we can prevent unnecessary stings and protect all of our bees.
How You Can Stay Safe Around Bees
Here’s how to avoid provoking a defensive response:
Identify signs of bee activity (bees going in and out of a wall, eaves, or a tree trunk).
Call a professional, especially if you see a swarm or hear buzzing near a structure.
Don’t spray them or try to remove the hive yourself.
Keep pets indoors if bees are active nearby.
Africanized bees are especially common in Las Vegas and other southwestern cities. Don’t assume you can treat them like the bees in your garden.
It’s Time to Change the Narrative
Bees aren’t the enemy. They’re important to our food system, our wild spaces, and even to the flowers in your yard.
Africanized bees are just misunderstood, and the media’s fear-mongering isn’t helping. When the news spews out something like “bee attack!!!”, ask yourself: What really happened to make the bees react that way?
We owe it to the bees, and to ourselves, to think critically, ask the right questions, and tell the whole story.
Betsy & Pete
🐝Las Vegas’s All-Natural Live Bee Removal Team
About Us: The Authors
We’re Betsy and Pete - Beekeepers on a Mission in Las Vegas
We’re not just in the bee business, we’re in the bee-saving business. Trained by a master beekeeper and backed by hundreds of successful removals, we are dedicated to rescuing and relocating honey bees with care and precision.
Every swarm we save and every hive we manage reflects our deep love for the bees.
At our Joshua Tree Preserve in Arizona, we care for dozens of thriving hives. Some wild, some honey-bearing, and all are part of our commitment to ethical, sustainable beekeeping.
Why Vegas Bees? Because We Never Stop Learning or Caring
Beekeeping is always evolving, and so are we. We stay on the cutting edge by continuing our education, connecting with fellow beekeepers, and refining our beekeeping practices and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for both bees and people.
Whether it’s advanced bee removal strategies or the latest natural methods, we’re always one step ahead.
We’re also proud to support the beekeeping community with high-quality beekeeping supplies for everyone, from curious beginners to seasoned pros. If you’re ready to suit up and start your journey, we’ve got what you need.
