In Texas, most plant pollination is carried out by bees. The European honeybee is our most well-known species, first brought to North America around 380 years ago by European colonists. Its more notorious relative, the Africanized honeybee, has spread across Texas and now constitutes a significant public health threat.
Africanized Honey Bees are not native to the U.S. but they have made their presence known in the states of California, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and recently Tennessee. Theses honey bees continue to migrate north but at a much slower rate than when they first were released in South America. Geographical barriers and climate deter their expansion in other areas of the country. Generally, Africanized bees are not a threat if you keep your distance from a the hive and do not disturb the nest. It is recommended to remove any unwanted bee colonies nesting on private property and treat every bee hive as an Africanized one to ensure you are not harmed.