Georgia man's death confirms presence of Africanized honeybees

Last week’s death of an elderly Dougherty County man has been attributed to Africanized honeybees. This fatality confirms the bees’ arrival in Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
“The victim was operating a tractor and mower, aggravated a nest of bees and received more than 100 stings,” said Keith Delaplane, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension entomologist.

Africanized honeybees have been in the United States since October 1990 when they were found in Texas. In 2005, they were confirmed in Florida.

European cousin essential to crops

A sub-species of honeybee, Africanized honeybees can interbreed with the European honeybee that is well known throughout Georgia as an important pollinator and producer of honey. One-third of American diets contain food crops that rely on European honeybees for pollination, according to the Georgia DOA.

Africanized and European honeybees look and behave alike in some respects. Each bee can sting only once, and there is no difference between Africanized honeybee venom and that of a European honeybee.

However, “the African variety is extremely defensive and responds with a massive stinging reaction with little provocation,” Delaplane said.

Don't swat, run, get inside and stay inside

The UGA honeybee expert urges the public to become aware of how to react if Africanized honeybees attack. He offers the following lifesaving tips:

1. Be cautious around places where Africanized honey bees are likely to nest, such as abandoned sheds, bee hive equipment, discarded tires and underground cavities.
2. If you are attacked, RUN AWAY. “You may think this sounds silly, but experience has taught us that people don’t run away,” he said. “Instead, they stand and swat, which simply escalates the defensive frenzy until it reaches lethal proportions.”
3. Get inside a closed vehicle or building as fast as possible, and STAY there. “Here’s another hard lesson we’ve learned. People don’t stay inside a closed vehicle if a few bees follow them inside,” Delaplane said. “Instead, they panic and flee back outside where tens of thousands of angry bees attack them."
This pattern has repeated itself over and over in the stinging incidents entomologists have monitored in Latin America and the southwestern U.S., he said. "The lesson is, don't worry about the few bees that follow you indoors. Get inside, and stay inside."
4. European honeybees and beekeepers are our best defense against Africanized honeybees. “Some communities may be considering zoning restrictions against all forms of beekeeping. This essentially cedes territory to the enemy. Only gentle European bees can genetically dilute the defensive Africanized variety,” he said.

First aid tips

If stung, the Georgia DOA says to follow these steps:

• Scrape – do not pull – stingers from skin as soon as possible. Pulling the stinger out will likely cause more venom to be injected into the skin.
• Wash sting area with soap and water.
• Apply ice for a few minutes to relieve pain and swelling.
• Seek medical attention if your breathing is troubled, if you’re stung numerous times or if you’re allergic to bee stings.

For more information on Africanized honeybees, read the UGA Extension publication at http://pubsadmin.caes.uga.edu/files/pdf/B%201290_2.PDF .

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia


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Uga VII passes away unexpectedly Thursday in Savannah

Uga VII, the legendary Georgia mascot who roamed the sidelines at Bulldog football games, died unexpectedly Thursday morning in Savannah.

He died of heart-related causes according to owner Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler.He was four years old and finishing his second season as the team’s mascot. His given name was “Loran’s Best” and his first game was Aug. 30, 2008, vs. Georgia Southern.

“We are all in a state of shock,” said Seiler.“We had no warning whatsoever.”

There will be no live mascot at Georgia’s game on Saturday but a wreath will be placed on Uga VII’s doghouse on the north sideline.

“He was 10-3 last year which is not bad for a ‘freshman,’” said Seiler.“Uga VII was not as active or mischievous as his father but more distinguished.He realized his role when he put his shirt on.He was well-behaved and always appreciated the significance of his role.”

“This is a very sad day for the Seiler family but also for all Georgia people,” said Damon Evans, UGA Director of Athletics.“Just as his ancestors, he had captured the hearts of college football fans everywhere as the country’s number one mascot.He had been truly embraced by all those who follow the Georgia Bulldogs across the country.We will miss him dearly.”

Seiler said there were options available for Uga VII’s replacement but no final determination would be made until sometime next year.

“Our hearts go out to the Seilers and the entire Bulldog Nation at this unexpected loss,” stated University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams.“Uga VII was both a family pet and a symbol for millions of fans, and besides that he was just a sweet dog.We will miss him.”

The College of Veterinary Medicine is saddened by the sudden loss of our dear friend and mascot,” Uga VII,” said Dr. Sheila W. Allen, dean of the College, and Dr. R. Bruce Hollett, personal faculty veterinarian for Uga VII. “His playful personality and winning spirit will be missed by all of us at the veterinary college, and all of us at the University of Georgia. The Seilers are long-time friends of the University, and we share in their grief.”

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The American Legion Calls VA's so-Called Death Book an 'Awkward Attempt to Help'

/PRNewswire/ -- The National Commander of The American Legion says the so-called "death book" posted on the Department of Veterans Affairs website may be well-intentioned, but needs to be reconsidered.

"We share a mission with the VA to work always in the best interests of our military veterans, "said the Legion's National Commander, David K. Rehbein, "and we are certain that the Department of Veterans Affairs made this controversial publication available with the best of intentions.

"However," Rehbein continued, "elements of the booklet 'Your Life, Your Choices' - in our opinion - can be easily misconstrued and appear insensitive. Somewhat like the improperly vetted Department of Homeland Security report to which we objected strongly some months ago, the release of this publication demonstrates poor planning, no matter how well intentioned it was."

The controversial booklet, "Your Life, Your Choices" has been dubbed "the death book" by some commentators due to its subject matter and method of presentation in advising veterans on end-of-life decision-making. "While The American Legion does not believe this publication is in any way designed to influence veterans to end their lives prematurely," said Rehbein, "we can understand how some might interpret it that way, At best, it is an awkward attempt to help."

"Your Life, Your Choices" is not an official publication of the Department of Veterans Affairs, but it has been made available in printed and electronic formats by the VA.

Commander Rehbein made his remarks in Louisville, Ky. where The American Legion is in the second day of its 91st national convention.

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