AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — 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.

Officials 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.

Monitoring hives in Alabama

Jack Rowe, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System bee specialist, said Alabama hasn’t had an AHB presence before, which keeps the state’s beekeepers from having colony management problems.

“The Apiary Protection Unit maintains a careful watch on the Port of Mobile to prevent an AHB invasion,” Rowe said. “It is up to the rest of us to ensure that we don’t bring AHBs in by accident. Vigilance is important, as is compliance with Alabama’s apiary laws.”

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 (https://agi.alabama.gov/plantprotection/2024/06/africanized-honeybees-detected-in-alabama).

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.

“Investigators 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,” Carter said.

Follow laws to protect Alabama’s bee population

Rowe said Carter is asking all beekeepers to obey the No Comb Law by not purchasing nucs from out of state.

“We have this law in place to prevent exactly what is now happening, not just honeybee pests and diseases,” Carter said.

When purchasing mated queens or packages from another state with a confirmed presence of AHBs, it is imperative that the buyer request the seller’s certificate, confirming their testing for AHBs through their state’s apiary program.

“We must all comply with Alabama’s apiary laws to protect the bee population in Alabama and prevent the spread of AHBs in our state,” Rowe said.

Extension recommendations

Rowe 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
• California

More information

If you think you’ve encountered an unusually aggressive hive, contact Rowe or Allyson Shabel, both members of Alabama Extension’s 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.

Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior, is an increasing concern in Alabama, with symptoms eventually becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 104,000 people aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in Alabama and 14.3% of people aged 45 and older experience subjective cognitive decline. 

The burden of the disease is also felt by 217,000 family caregivers in the state, who provide 387 million hours of unpaid care valued at $5.3 billion, while the cost to the state Medicaid program is $1.1 billion.

For Greenville native Melisa Mote, the statistics became a reality in 2017 when her mother Frances was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Mote and her sister became full time caregivers.

“I remember one night in August, I put my mother to bed and she was her normal self,” Mote recalled. “The next morning when I walked into her room, she smiled the biggest smile and asked me what my name was.”

Despite the challenges, Mote reflects positively on her experience.

“It wasn’t easy but I’m so glad that we did it,” Mote said. After her mother’s passing, Mote joined the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. I started a team and we walked that first year… now I’m co-chair of the River Region walk.” 

Mote is also involved in Alzheimer’s advocacy, having traveled to Washington for the past three years to promote awareness. 

“My mother passed in 2017 and we were her full-time caregivers,” Mote said. “We didn’t know anything. We didn’t even get a diagnosis until she was sent home on hospice.”

A new bill in progress aims to assist people in rural areas by educating doctors on the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

“It gets doctors more familiar with what to look for so that they can spot these symptoms earlier,” Mote explained. “New drugs are showing promise if you catch them early, so we really need to spread awareness. And they can do the training online so I’m very excited about that.”

In honor of her mother, Mote started Frances’ Fighters to raise funds for Alzheimer’s awareness and research. 

“We did a cookbook a few years ago that was really successful and this year we’re doing a calendar,” Mote said. “Everything we earn will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.”

In a recent proclamation, Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon designated June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in Greenville. “In this day and time we’re seeing the effects of this disease more and more. It seems to impact just about every family in some way,” McLendon said. “I know it affected mine with my mother and I’m glad to have the opportunity to stress the importance of Alzheimer’s awareness.”