There are still no reported killer bees in Georgia after the bees at the Kiddie Kare daycare center were concluded to be "regular honeybees."
Trutech, Inc., an Atlanta-based pest control company, determined the bees were not the notoriously aggressive Africanized honeybee species while removing the hive from a tree near the center Monday.
Tony Dicenso, Trutech commercial account manager, said the company has a staff entomologist who consults with technicians while they are on assignments.
Wes Green provided the service at the daycare center and treated it as an "emergency situation," after exterminators and others around the center thought the bees were acting aggressively, according to Dicenso.
He said the behavior of the bees was the telltale sign in identification.
"When my tech approached the bees, he didn't get wailed on," Dicenso said.
He said a microscopic examination is the only accurate way to identify bees, but bee behavior is a pretty certain indicator. While the Africanized honeybee and the European honeybee look very similar, the Africanized bee is much more likely to attack.
Before the hive was removed, the bees were treated with an insecticide and the hive entrance was sealed.
No children were present during the process.
"Our parents have always been assured that their children are safe when in our care," daycare owner Laverne Young said.
"I think this is something that got way out of hand and a lot more was made of the incident than needed to be."
The Africanized honeybee was brought to Brazil in the 1950s. It has become an invasive species, first reported to have migrated to Texas in 1990.
Trutech, Inc., an Atlanta-based pest control company, determined the bees were not the notoriously aggressive Africanized honeybee species while removing the hive from a tree near the center Monday.
Tony Dicenso, Trutech commercial account manager, said the company has a staff entomologist who consults with technicians while they are on assignments.
Wes Green provided the service at the daycare center and treated it as an "emergency situation," after exterminators and others around the center thought the bees were acting aggressively, according to Dicenso.
He said the behavior of the bees was the telltale sign in identification.
"When my tech approached the bees, he didn't get wailed on," Dicenso said.
He said a microscopic examination is the only accurate way to identify bees, but bee behavior is a pretty certain indicator. While the Africanized honeybee and the European honeybee look very similar, the Africanized bee is much more likely to attack.
Before the hive was removed, the bees were treated with an insecticide and the hive entrance was sealed.
No children were present during the process.
"Our parents have always been assured that their children are safe when in our care," daycare owner Laverne Young said.
"I think this is something that got way out of hand and a lot more was made of the incident than needed to be."
The Africanized honeybee was brought to Brazil in the 1950s. It has become an invasive species, first reported to have migrated to Texas in 1990.