June of 2005 is when I heard they were caught in traps near Ruston. Since then I have heard of two other instances, both near Chalmette, Louisiana. I removed hives in these areas a week before and a week after these discoveries, I figure its a matter of time before I have an encounter. I have been called in many times over the last couple of yrs to deal with what people thought were Africanized bees, but they were mistaken. Most of the feral hives I deal with are nice. This past season I removed many a hive and only ran across a handful if that, that were more aggressive than usual. One hive was in a fallen tree that a bulldozer operator ran into. He was stung 67 times and was sent to the hospital. Everyone in the area thought they were ahb but it was just a hive that had been in a tree for several yrs, and didn't like the bulldozer intrusion. Other beeks in my area haven't had encounters yet, either. But I know its not if they'll come but when.
Sincerely, JP