SADLY, I have read the accounts of persons in the community who have been attacked and killed by honey bees and have come to the conclusion that I must share some agricultural tips with my people so as to avoid another casualty.

While the honey bee – Apis mellifera – is a useful as well as a valuable insect; it affords us useful services in the pollination and fertilisation of crops while at the same time providing us with honey, wax and many other valuable products. However, it is a much dreaded animal when it is rubbed the wrong way and these are the horror stories we have been reading in the news lately.

Having lived a rustic existence, a farmer and an agricultural science teacher, I am quite familiar with these insects and thought it best that I  share some of my experiences with the populace out there and in due course save another unsuspecting victim. Now, many individuals are of the view that bees are “just insects”, therefore getting rid of them whenever and however they can should be a simple exercise. Well here’s the mistake they are making-disposing of bees is not a simple exercise especially those of the Africanised type which are known for their aggression. In the first place, do not attempt to get rid, catch, or what have you of bees if you are not trained in that field. Those insects by sheer weight of numbers would cause your demise. The formic acid from the stings of thousands of worker bees coupled with those of their queen is enough to kill any human. You cannot outrun the insects either, so don’t even try to do the unthinkable. In this regard I have outlined some tips that will ensure a safe disposal of bees.

1. When a hive or swarm is spotted, alert the professionals immediately.

2. Do not try throwing rocks, gasoline, diesel or any flammable liquids on the bees, these things will only agitate them to launch an attack.

3. Do not go to inspect or pass close by a swarm. The movement of your body is enough to cause the bees to feel threatened and in this way stir them up into action. Some persons might say “I did not interfere with them but was simply going about my business”
That might be so but you passed by in close proximity to the place and either by the bright colour of your clothing or the odour of the carbon dioxide coming from your clothing/sweat prompted the bees to defend themselves.

4. Lastly, in the event that bees are in a place that necessitate some appeasement, then light some good old smoke for the bees to get the effect of it. This will do the trick; it will certainly calm them down until the professional arrives.