The Apiary Protection Unit of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) confirmed the presence of Africanized honeybees (AHBs) in beehives in Jackson and St. Clair counties through genetic testing.
\nOfficials at ADAI are developing a strategic monitoring plan for AHBs. Swarm traps will be placed within a five- to 10-mile radius of the confirmed cases. Bees from nearby beekeepers will also be sampled as a precaution. ADAI said this proactive measure aims to assess the extent of AHB infiltration and prevent future spread.<\/p>\n
Monitoring Hives in Alabama<\/strong> \u201cThe Apiary Protection Unit maintains a careful watch on the Port of Mobile to prevent an AHB invasion,\u201d Rowe said. \u201cIt is up to the rest of us to ensure that we don\u2019t bring AHBs in by accident. Vigilance is important, as is compliance with Alabama\u2019s apiary laws.\u201d<\/p>\n AHBs look like European Honeybees, but their behaviors are different. AHBs are more defensive, more easily disturbed and respond in greater numbers. Other identifying qualities are outlined in the press release from the ADAI.<\/p>\n Apiculturists who regularly collect swarms or conduct bee removals should be alert for bees that seem highly aggressive to humans or animals. If encountered, Phillip Carter, an apiary inspector with the plant protection division of ADAI, encourages apiculturists to contact the plant protection division so a sample can be collected and tested for AHB genes.<\/p>\n \u201cInvestigators are speculating the two confirmed AHB colonies are a result of purchasing queens, packages and illegal nucs from other states with the presence of AHBs,\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n Follow Laws to Protect Alabama\u2019s Bee Population<\/strong> When purchasing mated queens or packages from another state with a confirmed presence of AHBs, it is imperative that the buyer request the seller\u2019s certificate, confirming their testing for AHBs through their state\u2019s apiary program.<\/p>\n \u201cWe must all comply with Alabama\u2019s apiary laws to protect the bee population in Alabama and prevent the spread of AHBs in our state,\u201d Rowe said.<\/p>\n Extension Recommendations<\/strong> More Information<\/strong> <\/p>\n by Katie Nichols<\/em> The Apiary Protection Unit of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) confirmed the presence of Africanized honeybees (AHBs) in beehives in Jackson and St. Clair counties through genetic testing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13289","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13289"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13290,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13289\/revisions\/13290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.theclarion.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nJack Rowe, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System bee specialist, said Alabama hasn\u2019t had an AHB presence before, which keeps the state\u2019s beekeepers from having colony management problems.<\/p>\n
\nRowe said Carter is asking all beekeepers to obey the No Comb Law by not purchasing nucs from out of state.
\n\u201cWe have this law in place to prevent exactly what is now happening, not just honeybee pests and diseases,\u201d Carter said.<\/p>\n
\nRowe said if beekeepers are receiving packages or queens from the following states, it is best to request certificates stating that the bee stock that they were raised from are free from AHB genes: Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.<\/p>\n
\nIf you think you\u2019ve encountered an unusually aggressive hive, contact Rowe or Allyson Shabel, both members of Alabama Extension\u2019s beekeeping team. Also reach out to the Apiary Protection Unit through the following contact information: Central and North Alabama beekeepers, contact Jason James at 334-850-7757. South Central and South Alabama beekeepers, contact Phillip Carter at 334-414-1666 or Randy Hamann at 334-850-7758. You may also contact Daniele Sisk in the ADAI Montgomery office at 334-240-7228.<\/p>\n
\nCommunications Specialist<\/em>
\nAlabama Cooperative Extension System<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"