March 31 - The so called killer bees are now just a few miles away from moving into Kansas. Officials at the Sedgwick County Extension Office say the Africanized Honey Bee is nothing more than a typical bee with an aggressive attitude. Still, state officials are getting ready for the bees' arrival.
The Africanized Honey Bee migrated to the U.S. from Brazil. They're now within 60 miles of the Kansas-Oklahoma border. The insects look like regular honey bees and most people can't tell them apart.
Unless you are allergic to bee stings, the Africanized Honey Bee doesn't pose much of a risk. A single sting is said to feel the same as a normal bee sting. Officials say unless you get into a swarm of bees, you probably won't be in any danger.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is closely monitoring the migration of the Africanized Honey Bees. They say the bees could cross the Kansas border anytime between May and October.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture plans to instal 20 bee traps along the state line to monitor the bees' movement. They're also training emergency responders how to deal with Africanized Honey Bee stings.
If you do see and overly aggressive bee, you're asked to report it to the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Officials warn residents not to kill the bees because they're essential for pollination.
