• Killer Africanized honey bees have spread to 13 U.S. states, attacking aggressively and chasing victims for up to a mile.
• Recent attacks have caused deaths and hospitalizations, with experts warning warmer climates will enable further northward spread.
• Officials advise quick running to shelter if attacked and warn against disturbing wild colonies to avoid deadly swarms.

A new threat is buzzing its way across America — and it’s not your average backyard pest. Aggressive and relentless, so-called “killer bees” have taken over parts of the southern U.S. and are now creeping further north, bringing terror to residents and a grim warning from scientists: this is just the beginning.

These invaders, known officially as Africanized honey bees, look almost identical to their European cousins — the common honey bee — but don’t be fooled by their familiar appearance. Their behavior couldn’t be more different. Unlike the typically calm European species, these bees attack in furious swarms, sting in massive numbers, and chase anything they see as a threat for up to a mile. Victims have described being enveloped by a living cloud of stingers, with no other option but to run for their lives.

Over the past three months alone, their violence has turned deadly. In Texas, a man and three horses died following attacks, while six others — including three hikers in Arizona — were hospitalized after fleeing a gigantic swarm deep in the wilderness. The hikers barely escaped after a frantic mile-long sprint. “It was the biggest cloud of bees I have ever seen,” one of them said afterward, still shaken.

Unstoppable Invasion from the South

The killer bee invasion didn’t begin overnight. These bees first made their way to the United States in the early 1990s after migrating north from Brazil, where they were introduced in the 1950s during a failed scientific experiment aimed at increasing honey production. The idea was simple: breed the hardworking European honey bee with a more tropical species from Africa. But nature had other plans. Twenty-six swarms escaped containment and began a slow, decades-long journey across South and Central America. By the time they reached the southern U.S., they had become something far more dangerous.

Now, these bees have established a foothold in 13 states — including Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, and Georgia. And scientists are sounding the alarm. With climate change bringing warmer temperatures, there’s a growing fear that the bees will keep pushing north, putting tens of millions of Americans in their path.

Dr. Juliana Rangel, a bee researcher from Texas who has herself been chased by a swarm, paints a grim picture: “By 2050, we could see these bees reach much farther north, especially along the west coast and in the drier parts of the central U.S.”

That prediction isn’t just guesswork. Previous studies have shown that areas like southeastern Oregon, parts of Colorado, and even the Southern Appalachian Mountains could offer the dry, warm conditions these bees prefer. It’s not a question of if they’ll arrive — it’s when.

A Deadly Sting in the Air

The sting of a single Africanized bee isn’t more venomous than a European honey bee. What makes them so dangerous is their sheer fury — and numbers. When threatened, they don’t just send out a few defenders. They come in waves.

“If I tap on a European hive with a hammer, maybe five bees come out to investigate. If I do the same with an Africanized hive, 100 bees come after me,” explained Dr. Jamie Ellis, an entomologist in Florida. “And they’ll chase you — far.”

In 2022, a young man trimming trees near a hive in Ohio was stung more than 20,000 times. He also swallowed around 30 bees in the process. He survived, but barely. The image of his swollen, bee-covered body shocked the public and went viral, prompting new warnings from officials.

Texas alone reports four major bee attacks each year that make headlines. Most are tied to loud equipment like lawn mowers or chainsaws. Vibrations from such tools can agitate hives even from several blocks away. “You might be mowing your lawn, thinking nothing of it,” Dr. Rangel said. “And then suddenly you’re being chased by a cloud of bees.”

No Place to Hide — Even Inside Cars

Once in attack mode, these bees don’t give up easily. They have been known to pursue their targets into vehicles and even inside homes. “They can follow you into your car and keep trying to sting you through cracks and vents,” one Texas exterminator reported. “They’re smart, and they don’t stop.”

In most cases, officials urge people to immediately flee to shelter — inside a building or car — and not to swat at the bees. Flailing your arms only makes things worse. Covering your face while running can help protect your eyes and mouth, but time is of the essence. Every second counts when you’re being pursued by hundreds of venomous insects.

Authorities in Tennessee and other states have begun issuing public safety advisories. They’re urging people to report any wild bee colonies they spot and to avoid disturbing them under any circumstances. But with the bees blending in so well with native species, that’s easier said than done.

Public on Edge as Warnings Spread

In many of the affected areas, fear is rising — especially in rural communities where people work outdoors and children play in open fields. Farmers have found themselves on the front lines, with reports of livestock being attacked and dogs dying from multiple stings. In some areas, pest control companies have seen a surge in calls from residents who discover buzzing nests in their attics or sheds.

“I’m scared to even start my lawn mower,” admitted one Florida woman, who said a neighbor was swarmed just last week while doing yard work. “We used to worry about snakes. Now it’s bees.”

And it’s not just the South anymore. Experts say northern states need to start preparing now. Dr. Rangel warns that the lack of awareness in these regions could make initial attacks even deadlier.

A Mistake That Keeps Spreading

The origin of the killer bee is a cautionary tale of human interference gone horribly wrong. The hybrid was never supposed to escape. Yet decades later, its impact is still growing, with little hope of containment. The bees thrive in arid and semi-arid climates — and unfortunately, that describes a growing portion of the country thanks to drought and warming temperatures.

“We created a supercharged version of an already successful insect,” said one researcher. “And now we can’t put that genie back in the bottle.”

What to Do If You’re Attacked

If you ever find yourself under attack from a swarm, experts advise one thing: run. Do not try to fight. Cover your face with your shirt or jacket, and move as fast as you can to shelter. Once inside, do not immediately open windows — some bees may follow, but most won’t get in.

And if you live in a high-risk area, think twice before disturbing any hive or buzzing colony. It might not be the friendly neighborhood honey bees you remember — it could be a nightmare in disguise.