Authorities Warn of Deadly Africanized Bee Attacks as Swarming Season Peaks

Authorities are warning the public to be on high alert following a string of deadly Africanized bee attacks on pets in the San Ignacio and Santa Elena areas, as well as communities in northern Belize. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture say multiple animals have been killed, and they are urging residents to take the threat seriously before it escalates further. National Beekeeping Coordinator Miguel Huerta says the attacks are happening because we are currently in peak honey production season, a time when bee colonies grow rapidly and swarm into residential neighborhoods in search of new nesting sites. He warns that once a colony has established itself and begun storing honey, it will defend that colony aggressively against any perceived threat, including vibrations, strong smells, and even the use of common household insecticides, which can make bees significantly more aggressive rather than driving them away.

If you discover a bee colony on your property or in your neighborhood, the Ministry of Agriculture has a critical message for you, do not call BAHA. no training or mandate to deal with bees and contacting them in an emergency wastes precious time. Instead, the ministry is directing the public to a district-by-district directory of certified bee management experts who have been specially trained to safely locate, calm, and remove bee colonies from residential areas. That list is available right now on the Ministry of Agriculture Belize Facebook page, and the ministry says it will also be posted to their official website.

If you spot bee activity around your home, officials are urging you not to wait. Check trees, eaves, walls, and overgrown areas of your yard regularly.