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STINGING INSECTS
Stinging and Venomous Insects:

There are a number of stinging and venomous insects in the Southern California area which present a public health problem. Wasp and Bee nests are often found near human habitats and present a threat to the population. Africanized Honey Bees are expected to officially colonize the entire county within the next year, and the Mosquito and Vector Management District is equipped, trained and prepared to deal with swarms as they are reported in the area. Information is available from the District explaining precautions and procedures for dealing with Bees, Wasps, Scorpions, and Spiders including the Black Widow Spider.

Africanized Honey Bee ~ aka. "Killer Bees"

Africanized Honey Bees - noted for their aggressive stinging behavior - are descendants of escaped African bees imported into Brazil in 1956. After establishing themselves in South America, Africanized Honey Bees (AHB's) advanced up the coasts into Central America. By 1990 they had established themselves in Texas and began spreading to other southern states.  To date they have impacted the California Counties of: Imperial, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego of Southern California and are on their way West and North.  In September of 2002, the South Coast area of Santa Barbara County was officially declared to be colonized by the Africanized Honey Bee. It is expected that AHB's will eventually replace unmanaged colonies of the common European Honey Bees (EHB's) in Santa Barbara County.

AHB's look and act very much like their European counterparts but exhibit some very important differences. For example, the AHB's can display an ultra-defensive behavior (read as Aggressive) when they or particularly their nests are disturbed. The major threat of AHB's is in their tendency to swarm in large numbers and for extended distances when threatened. EHB swarms may sting an intruder once or twice (one sting per Bee) for a transgression of their territory and perhaps chase an intruder as far as 100 feet from the nest. On the other hand, AHB's will attack in swarms and inflict multiple stings, possibly numbering in the hundreds, (one sting per Bee) to a victim. Also, AHB's will chase an intruder up to 1/4 mile. Another important difference is the period of defensive agitation AHB's exhibit. While the EHB's remain agitated for perhaps an hour after a disturbance, AHB's will remain agitated for 8 or more hours before their reaction subsides. These traits and some reports of AHB's seriously stinging and even killing pets, livestock and humans has earned the AHB's the name "Killer Bees."

AHB's react to various disturbances which can occur at a greater distance from an AHB nest than an EHB nest. For example, Vibration or Noise caused by power equipment such as lawnmowers or leaf blowers can precipitate an attack. Also Motion or movement near a colony (within perhaps 50 feet) can cause the AHB's to attack as well. Nests may be found in many locations likely to be disturbed by humans. Nesting sites include: empty boxes, cans, buckets or other containers; old tires; abandoned or infrequently used vehicles; lumber piles; cavities in fences, trees or the ground; sheds, garages, and other out buildings; under decks or under the eves of your house.

General Precautions

• Examine work areas before using power equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters and chain saws.
• Do not disturb nests when located. Inform your local Vector Control Specialists or County Agricultural Commissioner Department.
• Remove possible nesting sites around the house and yard.
• Inspect outside walls of all buildings on the property and seal openings larger than 1/8 inch with fine mesh screen or stuff holes with steel wool.
• Install fine mesh screens over the drain part of rain gutters.

What to do if Stung

• Go quickly to a safe area.
• Scrape stinger out with finger nail, knife or credit card. DO NOT squeeze stinger as it will release more venom.
• Wash with soap and water
• Seek medical attention.

Yellowjackets and other Wasps

Yellowjackets are social insects that live in nests. They are medium-sized black wasps with yellow and white markings. Depending on the type of yellowjacket, nests may be found under eves, or within holes on utility poles or trees. They may also be found in abandoned rodent burrows, or other underground cavities. When disturbed, Yellowjackets can inflict multiple stings that are very painful and may be life threatening to those with hypersensitive reactions to the venom.

• Western Yellowjacket (Vespula pennsylvancia) This yellowjacket is a major pest species in California. In the Summer months it is often seen in and around trash receptacles and picnic areas. They nest in abandoned rodent burrows and live in colonies of 500 to 5000 workers.
• Common Yellowjacket (Vespula vulgaris) This Yellowjacket can be a pest because adults are attracted by protein or sugar sources. It is also considered to be a beneficial species because workers prey on caterpillars and other insects.
• Prairie Yellowjacket (Vespula atropilosa) This yellowjacket is not a pest. It feeds on live insects, helping to control flies and caterpillars. Their nests are constructed in open areas like grasslands and golf courses.

Spiders

There are several spiders on the South Coast which are a concern to Homeowners and Businesses alike. The most common is the Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus hesperus.) It is sometimes called the Hour Glass Spider because of the sometimes visible red hourglass figure on the underside of the abdomen. The spider has venom which is reportedly 15 times more toxic than a rattlesnake's. The most susceptible victims are children and the elderly, however even a healthy adult may experience severe illness and trauma. The spider's toxic venom, secretive habits and initially painless bite make it particularly dangerous. Bites generally occur while working in the garage or yard - for instance, while cleaning up a wood pile or reaching behind or under an object. Because the Black Widow Spider prefers dark and seldom disturbed areas, these are the areas where control efforts should be concentrated. Once these areas are identified, use precautions when clearing the area or treating with an over the counter insecticide.

The Brown Recluse, commonly known as the "violin spider" because of its black violin-shaped marking on its back, is light to medium brown with long legs in relation to its body size. This spider is incredibly dangerous though not as common on the South Coast as the Black Widow. These "violin spiders" may be found in any number of places including the following locations around the home: discarded boxes; refuse piles; among piles of newspapers; in darker corners of hallways, bedrooms, and basements; the attic; firewood piles (often under the bark); under rocks; even in old clothes which have not been worn for a while. In fact, the most likely way to be bitten by a Brown Recluse is to put on old clothes, trapping the spider near the skin. For the most part however the Brown Recluse will run away and hide when disturbed, thus earning its name.

The principle injury inflicted by the brown recluse is the severe tissue damage which occurs at the site of the bite. Envenomization causes the area to swell up as the underlying cells are killed and sloughed off. The pain is severe and may last several days. Often the healing of a bite requires hospitalization and several weeks of healing. Most victims develop a "scoop-like" scar at the bite area which may be as small as a dime or as large as a dollar bill.

Information On Line:

    Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner  Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner Bee information.