Hello everyone,
Thanks for the welcome. Sorry to post back so late. I expected to see an emailed notification of replies to my post, but I didn't see any!
@sawdstmakr: In the video you saw with Africanized bees that looked like Italians, were the hives fully developed/well populated? Small or weak Africanized hives (single brood chamber) usually are relatively mild. Once strong, however, the attack response is not like any Italians I have ever seen. My hives are about 200 yards from the house, which is plenty. They do need to be on separate bases, else any vibration from working one hive will infuriate other hives. I use concrete block bases about 8 feet apart.
I'll post on the Africanized bees in a new thread. I hope to have time for that tomorrow. Rainy season is about to begin and we are up to our ears in farm work!