Bees attack on rise because of honey flow season – GLDA

-colonies will be removed free of cost

The recent increase in bee attacks has been attributed to the fact that the honey flow season is currently on and a warning has been issued by the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) for residents to dispose of derelict vehicles and other items that might provide a harbour for the insects.

In a statement yesterday, the GLDA said that it has been on a campaign for the capture and redistribution of these wild swarms free of cost.

It said that members of the public can contact its office on telephone number 220-6556, or its officers Lashon Thomas at 620-3125, Ferlin Narine at 620-2970, Ava Klass at 620-3002, Joel Dilchand at 620-3116, Shellon David at 620-3123, and Demelza Nicholas at 620-2993.

It said that its capture exercise began during the first quarter of this year and around 126 wild colonies have been removed.

It is encouraging residents and the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to remove all derelict vehicles, equipment and other forms of garbage that may provide housing for bees.

It said that during the honey flow season that is currently on the bees are very protective of their colonies.

It added that residents, farmers and other citizens should approach suspected colonies with caution. An increase in bees around lights at night is an indication that there is a hive of bees nearby, it said.

The Chairman of the Wyburg/ Caracas Neighbourhood Democratic Council who was stung by a swarm of bees while checking on works in the backlands on September 27 succumbed to his injuries on October 9 at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Following the attack, Cheemanlall Youardhan, 63, of Lot 3 Caracas Village, West Canje Berbice was rushed to the

New Amsterdam Public Hospital after which he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.