From chickens to children: Bees on the attack at Sanvoort

Residents of Sandvoort, West Canje, Berbice, say they are under constant threat from Africanised bees, which have increasingly swarmed homes over the past six months.

The problem stems from the rearing of bees near residential areas, according to resident Eustace Hinds. “Me and other residents have been affected by some Africanized bees. If you light smoke, day or night, your house is full of bees. If music plays loud, your house is full of bees. You have to lock up and go away all the time,” he said.

Hinds described how livestock and family members have been affected. “My sister’s chickens were attacked. With the same bees, my brother-in-law couldn’t pluck no chicken that day because of the bees. You have to call the next neighbor to help and he house was affected. And even my daughter was stung two Thursdays back.”

He said daily life has become difficult, with even lights at night risking an attack. While residents are not opposed to honey production, Hinds urged authorities to move beekeeping further away. “Mining a bee for getting the honey is not a problem. But let them do it in some far-off area so it wouldn’t affect we, the residents.”

Residents are pleading with local authorities to intervene before the situation worsens.