Laguna Hills : Council to Hear Talk About Killer Bees

As part of the county’s efforts to prepare for the arrival of killer bees, a member of a special task force will address the City Council tonight.

Fred Beams, assistant manager of the Orange County Vector Control District, is scheduled to deliver a brief report on what concerns residents should have as Africanized honeybees move into the area in the next few years.

“There’s really no reason to panic about it,” Beams said Monday. “It’s not going to change anybody’s life significantly. . . . But there is a different type of bee out there.”

Beams, a member of the recently formed Orange County Honeybee Technical Advisory Team, said experts are estimating that “pioneer” bees will move into California next year. They will make their way to Orange County, perhaps as early as 1995.

“Then, once they’re here, it’ll be another year before there is a real danger to anybody,” when more bees join the pioneers, he said.

Africanized bees have been migrating toward the United States from Brazil at the rate of 100 to 300 miles a year since 1957. The bees, which are more aggressive than others, were being bred there to produce more honey when they escaped.

Although they appear nearly identical to other honeybees and their sting is no more painful or venomous, Africanized bees swarm and attack in greater numbers if they are provoked and can follow someone up to a quarter of a mile from their nest.

Africanized bees have recently been found near Tucson, but Beams said it is not yet known whether they are the leaders of the migration or have been brought into that area by trucks or other vehicles.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 at the City Council chambers, 25201 Paseo de Alicia, Suite 150.