Killer Bees Swarm Cotton Tree, Dogs Stung to Death

And on the George Price Highway, residents of the quiet community of Cotton Tree just outside of Belmopan were panicked by a swarm of bees which quickly killed several dogs in the neighbourhood this morning. It’s a matter of particular concern because the area where the bees swarmed is right behind the Cotton Tree School, and students use it every day. Today when we got there former Chairman of the Village Florentino Baisa was still waiting for assistance from the pertinent authorities. Mike Rudon has the story.

Mike Rudon, Reporting

The carcasses of three dogs tell the story of an attacking swarm of bees. It happened at around ten this morning in a crowded area of the community, and caused residents to go on lockdown till the swarm settled shortly after.

Florentino Baisa

Florentino Baisa, Resident of Cotton Tree

“I get a call from mi daughter to tell me lock up my house because a lot of bees deh out…some killa bees weh done kill mi son-in-law, Stanley Herrera two dog. Soh I lock up my house, well yu see how far I live, and I start to get pon the phone to call fu dey man weh really tend to the bees, man from Agriculture and soh. I call people from Belmopan weh really know more who are the people.”

The swarm settled back into the wall of this home on a street which is heavily trafficked by students and residents. According to Baisa he hasn’t managed to get a positive offer of assistance from any of the authorities like BAHA or the Ministry of Agriculture. But eventually a bee-expert did show up and started work to kill the bees with Shelltox purchased by Baisa. This ladder leaned against the wall of the home shows where the bees sought shelter after they killed the dogs.

Florentino Baisa

“This is the situation – this man live inna dis house, Mr. Isiah Gillett. He live in deh noh too extra long, maybe wah month when he pass een deh, and maybe he neva know neither that those bees were there. But yu hear weh ih next bredda seh…dey bee deh deh long long because he clean that yard already, some years. If yu look pon di wall yu see how all the bees’ nests deh look fu empty out pon dih bottom.”

This morning students continued to walk the street while keeping a wary eye out for the bees. It’s not a comfortable situation for residents who know firsthand that the bees can kill.

Florentino Baisa

“A lot of students, school kids weh deh pass yah soh. I was worrying about them…mi wife, everybody was worrying about them. So I think mi wife stand up by our house and watch fu when the school-children deh come and tell them be careful, try get home quick and tell dem bout the bees.”

Residents told us that one student was stung this morning and dropped his bike to run for safety. Mike Rudon for News Five.