Africanized Bees vs Honey Bees Guide

At The Other Bee Guy, we’ve spent years working with all types of bees—from the gentle European honey bees to the more aggressive Africanized honey bees, commonly referred to as “killer bees.” Understanding the differences between these species is critical for homeowners, property managers, and anyone living in areas where Africanized bees may be present.

As professionals specializing in ethical bee removal and relocation, we’ve encountered both types in the field, and we’re here to break down what you need to know—based on firsthand experience, scientific knowledge, and responsible practices. Our goal is to help you stay informed and safe without harming essential pollinators when it’s avoidable.

Bees are vital to our environment. They pollinate crops, produce honey, and support ecosystems that many of us take for granted. However, not all bees behave the same way. Over the past few decades, the introduction of Africanized honey bees into the United States has raised questions and concerns about safety and species management.

What Are Africanized Bees?

Africanized bees, often called "killer bees," are a hybrid of the African honey bee and various European honey bee subspecies. They were initially bred in Brazil in the 1950s to increase honey production in tropical climates. However, after some escaped into the wild, they began migrating north—reaching the southern U.S., including Florida, by the early 1990s.

These bees earned the “killer bee” nickname not because they’re more venomous than typical honey bees but because of their extremely defensive behavior. Africanized bees:

React faster to disturbances
Attack in greater numbers
Chase perceived threats up to a quarter-mile
Nest in smaller, more exposed spaces

While their venom is no more potent than that of European honey bees, the sheer number of stings can make them dangerous—especially for those allergic to bee stings or caught unaware.

We never recommend approaching a hive you suspect could belong to Africanized bees. Use our contact page and let our trained team handle it.

What Are European Honey Bees?

European honey bees, also known as Western honey bees, are what most people imagine when they think of bees. They’re the species responsible for most commercial honey production and are far more docile than their Africanized counterparts. These bees are a cornerstone of agriculture, playing an essential role in pollinating crops and flowers worldwide.

At The Other Bee Guy, we take pride in preserving these crucial pollinators whenever possible. That’s why our services focus on live bee removal and bee relocation, ensuring colonies can be transferred to safe environments—often to local beekeepers who integrate them into productive hives.

If you’re interested in supporting pollination or starting your hive, we also offer bee nucs and nucleus hives. These are ideal for beginner beekeepers or those looking to expand existing apiaries.

Traits of European honey bees include:

Gentle, non-aggressive temperament
Nesting in enclosed, protected areas like trees and attics
High value in agricultural pollination and honey production
Less prone to swarming under stress

We aim to relocate rather than exterminate whenever conditions allow.

Key Differences Between Africanized Bees and Honey Bees

Although Africanized and European honeybees appear nearly identical to the untrained eye, their behavior and nesting habits are significantly different. Here’s what we’ve observed in the field:

Aggression and Behavior

Africanized bees are significantly more aggressive than European honey bees. They defend their territory quickly and often pursue intruders long after the initial disturbance has occurred. European honeybees are far less likely to sting unless directly provoked.

Signs you may be dealing with Africanized bees:

Swarming or chasing behavior within seconds
Bees following you for long distances
Aggressive response from minor vibrations (lawnmowers, pets, footsteps)

If you encounter these behaviors, do not attempt to remove the hive on your own. Use our contact form immediately for expert help.

Appearance and Size

Africanized bees are slightly smaller than European honey bees, but visual identification is nearly impossible without magnification or lab testing.
Both species are golden brown with dark stripes and similar in color.

DNA testing is the only definitive way to distinguish between them. Still, our experience with behavior and nest placement provides us with enough clues to identify what we’re dealing with on-site.

Nesting Habits

Nesting behavior is one of the most apparent differences:

Africanized Bees:

Nest in smaller, more exposed places (e.g., trash cans, meter boxes, sheds)
Recolonize and swarm more frequently
Are harder to predict in nesting behavior

European Honey Bees:

Prefer sheltered, enclosed areas like tree hollows, walls, or attics
Are more stable and selective with nest locations
Can often be safely relocated using our bee-hive relocation process

Understanding these patterns enables us to assess risk and determine whether removal or relocation is appropriate. To learn more about how we approach each case, please visit our process page at our process.

How to Identify Africanized Bees

Identifying Africanized bees by sight alone is extremely difficult—even for seasoned beekeepers. They resemble European honey bees closely and share the same striped coloring and wing structure. However, their behavior and nesting patterns often reveal their presence more clearly than physical traits.

Here’s what to watch for:

Unusual aggression: If bees begin to swarm or sting after minimal disturbance, this is a key indicator.
Persistent pursuit: Africanized bees will chase a perceived threat for much longer distances—sometimes over 400 yards.
Frequent relocation or swarming: They tend to move their hives more often and may swarm multiple times a year.
Nesting in odd places: Unlike European bees, which prefer more protected nesting areas, Africanized bees build hives in tires, mailboxes, irrigation boxes, and even the ground.

If you observe these signs, please avoid the area and contact us immediately. At The Other Bee Guy, we have years of field experience and understand how to manage high-risk hives safely. Visit our contact page to request an inspection, especially if you're unsure what type of bee you're dealing with.

Are Africanized Bees Dangerous?

Yes—Africanized honey bees are significantly more dangerous than European honey bees because of their rapid and aggressive defense tactics. A single sting might not be life-threatening, but Africanized bees often attack in groups, inflicting dozens or hundreds of stings in a matter of seconds.

Here’s what makes them risky:

Mass stinging behavior increases the likelihood of allergic reactions and medical emergencies.
Quick reaction time means they begin attacking within seconds of sensing vibration or noise.
Large attack radius: They defend their nest over a much wider area than European bees.
Increased threat to children, pets, and livestock, especially near the ground where nests often form.

While we always aim to preserve bee populations through bee relocation, Africanized colonies sometimes require more assertive action to protect public safety. We carefully assess each case and employ proven methods to manage or relocate hives with minimal environmental disruption.

Africanized Bees in Florida: What You Should Know

Florida is one of the most active regions for Africanized bee sightings in the United States. Warm weather and a wide variety of potential nesting sites, combined with increasing urban expansion, have allowed these bees to thrive in both residential and commercial areas.

We’ve removed Africanized bee colonies from:

Playgrounds and schoolyards
Irrigation and electrical boxes
Shed walls and overhangs
Garbage cans and yard debris
Animal shelters and barns

In many cases, the homeowners were unaware of the danger until someone was stung. That’s why public education is so important. If you live in Florida and suspect bee activity near your home, don’t wait for an incident to occur.

Our team is trained to identify and remove Africanized bees safely and efficiently. Unlike extermination-only services, we evaluate relocation options whenever possible. Check our reviews to see how other Florida families and businesses have trusted us with sensitive bee situations.

Stay Informed, Stay Safe About Africanized Bees & Honey Bees

Africanized bees are now a part of the Florida ecosystem—and knowing how to handle them responsibly is essential. While they pose real risks, they also play a role in pollination and should be treated with care, not fear.

At The Other Bee Guy, we believe in protecting people and pollinators. Our team possesses the training, tools, and ethical approach necessary to handle both European and Africanized bee colonies safely. Whether you’re facing a hive in your backyard or want peace of mind, we’re here to help.

Explore our our process to learn how we assess and manage bee hives, or browse our local honey offerings that come from safely relocated colonies. If you need assistance or have questions, use our contact page—we’ll respond quickly and professionally.

Together, we can protect Florida’s ecosystem, one hive at a time.