Killer Bees in Texas - Tactical Honey

Killer Bees in Texas: What You Need to Know About Africanized Honey Bees

The nickname “killer bees” might sound like something out of a horror movie—but for those living in Texas and the southern U.S., the threat is very real. Africanized honey bees, a hybrid known for their extreme defensiveness, are spreading—and in certain situations, their behavior can quickly become lethal.

Tragedy in Comanche County: A Rodeo Owner’s Worst Nightmare

In May 2025, a Central Texas rancher near Comanche let her three prized rodeo horses out to graze—unaware that Africanized bees had built a hive in a nearby tree. A short while later, she noticed something off: the horses were standing oddly still, heads lowered, as if surrounded by flies.

What she saw next was the stuff of nightmares: a black cloud of bees swarming her animals. When she ran to intervene, the bees turned on her too—filling her glasses, burrowing into her hair, dive-bombing her face and ears. The horses, frozen in terror, wouldn’t move.

The owners called 911. Volunteer firefighters arrived in full bee suits and used soapy water from the fire truck to try and break up the swarm. But the damage was done. One horse died on the property from anaphylactic shock. Another had to be euthanized after a seizure. The third spent the night in equine ICU but didn’t survive.

It was one of the most severe animal-related bee attacks reported in Texas in recent years.

Caught in a Harness: Utility Worker Stung to Death

Several years earlier, a utility worker in Texas disturbed a hidden hive while working elevated in a safety harness. Swarmed instantly, he couldn’t escape the restraints. Witnesses said the bees surrounded him while he was suspended, unable to flee. Emergency responders arrived as quickly as possible, but by the time they reached him, it was too late.

This tragedy underscored a chilling truth: when people are physically trapped—by gear, fencing, vehicles, or elevation—an Africanized bee attack can become deadly in a matter of minutes.

Eastland, TX: Man Flees Bee Attack, Crashes Truck, and Dies

In April 2025, 66-year-old Steven Daniel of Eastland, Texas, was mowing grass near an abandoned building when he unknowingly disturbed a wild hive. As bees swarmed him, he fled to his pickup truck and tried to drive away—but the bees followed him inside. In the chaos, he crashed into a nearby home.

He was still being stung when responders pulled him from the vehicle. Though he initially survived, he later died from circulatory collapse caused by hundreds of stings. He was not known to be allergic.

Why Africanized Bees Are Different

Africanized honey bees (a hybrid of European and East African subspecies) don’t have more potent venom than standard honey bees. What sets them apart is their defensive behavior: they respond faster, in greater numbers, and pursue perceived threats much farther. Even normal activities—like mowing, brush-clearing, or using loud equipment—can unintentionally provoke an attack.

Not All Wild Bees Are Dangerous

The term “wild” or “feral” hive often carries an unfair stigma—especially in light of sensational headlines. But not all wild bees are dangerous. In fact, some of the strongest, healthiest, and most ecologically valuable colonies in Texas are feral—thriving without any human intervention.

At Tactical Honey, we work to promote locally adapted survivor stock—bees that have proven their resilience by surviving year after year without chemical treatments. These feral colonies often demonstrate:

Excellent disease resistance
Self-grooming behavior that helps them manage Varroa mites naturally
Genetic diversity and local climate adaptation
Productive foraging habits and stable overwintering ability

Many of these colonies are calm, hardworking, and contribute significantly to the health of local pollinator ecosystems. Responsible natural beekeepers often trap swarms or catch splits from these colonies to strengthen managed apiaries with better-adapted, treatment-free genetics.

That said, some wild colonies—particularly those influenced by Africanized lineage—may display dangerously defensive traits, especially when located near people, livestock, or public spaces. In those cases, the risk outweighs the potential, and the colony may need to be removed or requeened by someone with the training and experience to do so safely.

The takeaway:
Wild doesn’t mean bad. Aggression doesn’t mean strength.
With bees, genetics and temperament matter—and good stewardship means knowing when to preserve and when to intervene.

What to Watch For (and What to Do)

If you encounter bees that seem agitated, or if you stumble upon a hive unexpectedly:

Do not swat. Do not stop. Do not jump in water.
Instead, run away in a straight line and cover your face.
Be alert when mowing, cutting trees, or clearing brush—especially around old structures or fence lines.
Livestock, pets, and restrained individuals are especially vulnerable—keep them away from known bee activity.
If you find a hive in a hazardous location, don’t attempt removal yourself. Contact someone qualified to assess the colony’s behavior.

Final Thoughts

As beekeepers and land stewards, we know bees are essential. Most honey bees—managed or feral—are peaceful pollinators. But when Africanized genetics enter the equation, the potential for danger increases dramatically, particularly in populated or high-traffic areas.

In Texas, it doesn’t take much—a mower’s vibration, a thrown rope, a tree limb falling—to set off a defensive response. Stay vigilant, educate your neighbors, and respect all colonies from a safe distance until their temperament is known.

References

Weise, Elizabeth. “’Killer Bees’ Keep Spreading (and Killing) across the U.S.” USA Today, June 22, 2025.
Baitinger, Brooke. “Relentless Killer Bees Swarm and Kill Beloved Rodeo Horses.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, May 14, 2025.
“Bees Sting Driver to Death as He Flees, Crashes into Home, Say Texas Police.” San Antonio Express-News, April 28, 2025.