MANY residents of West Ruimveldt in Georgetown were forced to seek cover in trenches, under beds and wherever possible, on Thursday, when a swarm of African bees invaded Hibiscus Street.

The invasion, at approximately 17:00hrs caused some persons to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) but no serious injuries were reported although it was claimed that pet animals and poultry died from stings.
Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, again, yesterday morning, Jenifer Lewis said she was at a shop with others when she noticed a young expectant mother running towards them and shouting the alarm.
The insects were emerging from a yard, where, they are usually kept for a short period by someone who rears them.
It was reported that several dogs and six fowls were killed by the bees.
Residents said they had lodged complaints, on numerous occasions, about the presence of the bees in the area to the Sanitary Department of the City Council.
However, there were conflicting accounts of what triggered the bees attack and under what circumstances they came to be in the city and not on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway where they are reared.
Mr. Linden Stewart, who admitted removing three swarms, including from the residence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and two locations on the East Coast Demerara, said it was when he went to West Ruimveldt to transfer the bees from the temporary holding facility that he was informed of the attack.
He said he was blamed because he is associated with bees and, sometimes, has a swarm or two to keep temporarily in West Ruimveldt.
Stewart said persons are claiming compensation for their loss in relation to the animals and the fowls. One woman said she lost two pups, for which she paid $10,000 each and another woman complained of losing a pit bull but he did not respond to the claims.