There was no charge; he wanted to start more bee colonies. However, I have had two sources give me new information. Our county agent took a look at my photos and said they were Africanized bees because they nested so low and because they formed the four combs in three weeks. she said that the European honey bee would take at least 5-6 weeks.
I just spent three days at the UF in Gainesville taking courses and one of the classes was on bees; given by a UF professor of entomology. He said it was more than likely that all bees now in Central Florida, where I live, would be Africanized. They can be docile, especially when just foraging. However, when their hive is threatened then watch out. They also don't like noise; car engines, lawn mowers, barking dogs, vibrations; and so on. I am now feeling very lucky that I didn't get stung because I was walking among them; and I had actually lifted the bird bath off the pot in which they were colonizing and making their combs. Won't be making that mistake again; I am just going to assume they are Africanized.
