The recent dramatic bee attacks in the Western Cape have raised fresh concerns about the growing trend of urban beekeeping in South Africa.
The recent incident saw more than thirty cyclists participating in a race being attacked by bees from a nearby hive – some riders had as many as 100 stings removed and others who were allergic had to be airlifted to hospital.
Urban beekeeping is growing in popularity among South Africans, particularly with the resurgence of home gardening and sustainable living, but not everyone is excited about enthusiasts placing bee boxes in their backyards – especially those with allergies.
Mariska Fouche, Public Affairs Manager of leading allergy medicine provider, Pharma Dynamics, says small-scale beekeeping is taking off in many South African suburban backyards and even city roof tops.
take necessary precautions
“Urban beekeeping doesn’t have to be a scary experience for you and your neighbours, provided the necessary precautions are taken, such as being upfront with your neighbours about your beekeeping endeavours and discussing the benefits, while taking proactive steps to reduce neighbours’ bee concerns. For example, if weather is dry, bees will use a neighbour’s swimming pool as a water source. Erecting a bird bath or other water supply near the beehive entrance will reduce the likelihood of bees becoming a poolside nuisance.
“Also be sure to choose the beehive’s location carefully. Avoid placing beehives near sidewalks or play areas where bee traffic may pose a threat. The urban hive should be tucked into the corner of a yard away from regular human activity. Another precaution urban beekeepers can take is to help direct the flight pattern of their bees by installing a high privacy fence achieving a height where they will not encounter children playing or a neighbour working in a yard. Remember to always wear protective clothing, including a veil and gloves when handling bees,” says Fouche.
build your skills safely
Urban beekeepers of all experience levels can continue to build their beekeeping safety skills by joining a local beekeeping association and should always adhere to and stay abreast of regulations pertaining to beekeeping in their specific area.
For those who are concerned about their safety and suffer from bee sting allergies, Fouche offers the following advice.
“During the summer we cook and eat outdoors and generally spend more time in the garden, which is their territory. Think about where you plant flowers. If you keep them near doors and windows, bees are more likely to come into your house. Try not to eat sugary foods and drinks outside and avoid wearing strong perfumes. If a bee does approach, don’t scream or lash out to swat it as this will only aggravate it further.
“If stung by a bee a person can get a localised reaction in the form of swelling, heat or itching of the skin around the bite area. If you can see the stinger, remove it as quickly as possible to lessen exposure to the venom. Put an ice pack on the affected area for 15 minutes every few hours or so, which will help to reduce swelling. Oral antihistamines and analgesics might also help to reduce pain or itching associated with skin reactions.
know what to look out for
“However, in case of a serious systemic allergic reaction, which means the venom causes a reaction throughout a person’s body and not just around the bite itself, the person may break out in hives, experience wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, faintness and swelling of the face, lips or tongue. If a person has any of these symptoms, it is important to get medical help immediately,” says Fouche.
If you know that you or your child is severely allergic to bee stings, Fouche recommends that you wear a medic alert tag at all times and see your doctor for a prescription for an emergency kit with an adrenaline syringe (Epipen). If used immediately after the first sign of a systemic symptom following a bee attack, this injection will stop the allergic reaction from progressing and could save your life.
“For most varieties of bee stings, antihistamines will help to stop itching and lessen swelling, and no preventive therapy will be necessary. If you are severely allergic to bee stings, talk to a doctor about getting venom immunotherapy (allergy injections) from an allergist to reduce the risk of getting anaphylaxis from subsequent stings.”
For more information about the treatment of bee sting allergies, phone 0860 PHARMA (742 762) or log on to www.allergyexpert.co.za to post your queries online.
Janet Dorfan says
why are there no bylaws pertaining to keeping of bees in suburban areas? I have dogs and I was recently attacked by bees who had settled in my electricity box. This is a huge problem and had I been allergic I might have died! My neighbour is not interested in my problem. What do you suggest I do?
Bobby says
I have a similar problem, a neighbor never discussed the issue of bringing in 6 bee hives which were placed close to my boundary fence, a visiting friend was stung the following day resulting in us having to vacate the premises for the rest of the day…..bee hives have since been moved further away however a week later i found 2 dead chickens of mine….after close inspection i found bees near the water for the chickens ..? I have since been in contact with the local municipality of Delmas & explained my problems, for over a week now still no response…….i also have in my garden Azalea trees & yellow jazman which apparently are toxic to the honey & deadly for human consumption which is my biggest concern other to that of my dogs & livestock….. no one seems to be taking this serious enough to act, what do i do next?
hi Bobby
My house is covered in a kreeper that attracts millions of bees right now. The place is literally abuzz, which for me is very exciting as I am SO aware of how precious these creatures are. I also have chickens and have never had damage from the busy bee time of the year.
I think it’s best not to have poisonous plants in your garden as they always pose a danger to children.
Shez says
My hope is that you investigate the issue and warn future homeowners that you have a shrub in your yard that no doubt contains a bee hive when and if you move. Failure to mention will be extremely selfish and cruel. I can’t walk in our yard without reminders of that terrible day. A terrible sadness and feeling of hopelessness when I think of how my dogs died. I can’t afford to move yet. Previous homeowners are living it up in their new home.
Bobby says
Hi Elma,
Appreciate your reply……Firstly i have had to cut down a number of my bottle brush trees close to the house as the bees there were completely over taking all including the bird bath, water for the dogs was riddled with them…..very sad that the owners could not do a simple environmental impact study prior to just placing 6 bee hives close to my perimeter & home, yet were clever enough to be a far way off from their own home….. Importance of bees is a big thing & i fully support it, but better care & planning needs to be carried out……Unfortunatly both chickens were stung according to an examination by the local vet ….. as for the poisonous trees as i mentioned, according to study the honey itself becomes contaminated yet not if directly ingested by a child or pet dog for example, i have taken a few measures to try safe guard a bit closer to home with the help of other concerned neighbours, but unfortunatly has effected the garden at the same time……..soap water has eased the problem tremendously as well, i also put the safety of my family & guests as a higher priority.
Shez says
Elma, very nice for you to be excited when the hive isn’t literally next to those you love. I find your comments insensitive and provocative. Bobby, all three of my dogs died even after being rushed to the vet, two weeks ago after a bee attack in my garden thanks to the previous home owner not giving us a heads up of our proximity to a hive. We saved for years for a home where our dogs would enjoy a nice big garden, we are devastated and sitting in a new house that just feels like a bad dream with three urns in the lounge with our dogs names on them.
hi Shez, this article was not written by me. And to tell you the truth I am NOT in favour of urban beekeeping. I have been offered one a few times, as I tend to do most of the green things, but I don’t think it’s a good idea in town. I have heard of too many incidents and attacks on innocent neighbours. I am so sorry to hear about your dogs! That is a terrible story and so sad. I have this virginia kreeper growing on my walls and from time to time this is inundated with bees and they buzz inside my house in huge swarms - near the windows normally. I happen to have built up an allergy to bee stings from having had so many of them as a kid. Was a real tomboy;) Yet we tend to leave them alone and they have not attacked anyone here. I kind of appreciate their presence as they are so important and so threatened nowadays. But I would still not have a hive in my garden. I think they belong on farms where they cannot be a threat to the neighbours. In terms of your neighbour’s hive, what will you be doing? Even if you knew about it this could still have happened? Let me know how it goes?
Joe says
both my dogs are at the vet fighting for there lives because of bees, i feel so angry at the moment that my neighbour did not tell me about the hive. now imagine it was my inlaws both it thier 80+ that the bees attacked who would be held responsible for that attack, but my dogs are my family and that hive is dangerous who will be next to be attached and what if it is fatal then what.