Africanized Bee Psychology

[Wandering Man]

I just read this on Facebook.  Someone was complaining about working with AFB, describing the situation as feeling like he was being shot by tiny guns at the rate of 50 rounds a minute.  The poster also commented on the bees having chased him 500 yards away and he still had 30 or so bees bumping his veil.

The scenario was too familiar for me.

But then, another poster put it all in perspective:

They're not 'mean', they're just misunderstood. You just don't understand they have a larger personal space and are happy to explain it to you.

[Jen]

  Okay! That made a lot of sense! I'm wondering how 'we' have to change, in order to not get attacked so hard. I'm wondering if it's even worth hiving Africanized bees? MAYBE! We should just leave them alone.. ya know? Like herd them and dump them off onto a deserted island, and run like hades!

I don't think it's worth it!

[Wandering Man]

Jen,
There were several responses to the thread from others who said they liked tending to AFB. They said AFB were terrific producers of honey.

I have one hive hive that I suspect are AFB. The only advantage I see is that they tend to be good guarde over the apiary.

[Bakersdozen]

Those mean little buggers might make lots of honey, but keeping them near other colonies might ensure those genes get passed on to future queens.   

[Jen]

Thinking the same Baker