Florida Pest Management Association Announces Africanized Honey Bee Training for First Responders.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Encounters with Africanized Honey Bees (AHB) are on the rise in Florida. Easily agitated, these so-called "killer" bees are vicious and tenacious.

"With potentially more attacks across the state, the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) recognizes the need to educate both pest management professionals and first responders on how to handle these incidents," said FPMA President David Pomfret. "We've put together an exceptional program on Africanized bees and have invited all first responders such as fire and rescue, police, sheriff's departments to send their personnel free of charge."

"Africanized bees recently attacked people, dogs, FIREFIGHTERS, and news crews in Miami," said Dr. Phil Koehler of the University of Florida. "Don't be foolish and think Africanized bees are just an average pest."

Pest management professionals and first responders need to be specifically trained to handle these bees, and the Florida Pest Management Association has stepped up to the plate to provide training opportunities across the state in April and May.

The programs will be held in Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Panama City and Apopka.

For more information on these classes, visit http://www.flpma.org or contact: [e-mail].

Founded in 1945, the Florida Pest Management Association is one of the largest state pest control organizations in the country, and promotes "Protecting Your Environment" to the public and industry.