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![]() What Is the Value of a Bee’s Life? Singapore is a unique city—where lush greenery intertwines with towering skyscrapers, creating an urban oasis. The government’s City in Nature vision has successfully enhanced biodiversity, inviting wildlife into our everyday spaces. Birds, otters, monitor lizards, and even bees now share our environment, blurring the lines between urban and wild. Yet, as nature creeps closer, so do the mixed reactions from residents. Some marvel at the sight of a bee colony, fascinated by their intricate hives and vital role in pollination. Others panic at the mere sight of them, fearing their sting. And in extreme cases, people demand their removal—leading to the unfortunate reality that bees are often exterminated on sight. The Disconnect Between Humans and Wildlife Many Singaporeans have grown up in a highly sanitised, controlled environment, far removed from the natural world. While we enjoy manicured gardens and clean streets, we’ve lost touch with how ecosystems function—and how much we depend on them. Bees, in particular, are essential pollinators. Without them, our food supply would collapse. Yet, when a swarm appears in a HDB corridor or a park, the default response is often fear, followed by a call to pest control. Authorities, prioritising public safety and avoiding complaints, frequently opt for the quickest solution: extermination. Why Are Bees Seen as Pests Rather Than Partners? The issue lies in perception and education. Many people don’t realise:
The Challenges of Bee Conservation in Singapore As a bee conservationist, I face several obstacles:
How Can We Change This? If we truly embrace the City in Nature vision, we must rethink our approach. Here’s how: 1. Advocate for Policy Shifts
See Bees in a New Light at Nutrinest Bee Garden! The best way to overcome fear is through understanding. At Nutrinest Bee Garden, you can: 🔍 Observe local bees in their natural behavior—see how gentle and organized they really are! 🍯 Learn fascinating facts—did you know Singapore has over 100 native bee species? 🤝 Experience safe, guided interactions—get up close (without fear!) and appreciate their role in our ecosystem. Visit us and discover why bees deserve protection, not persecution. Every visitor helps change the narrative—from fear to fascination, from extermination to conservation. A Call to Action: Every Bee Matters Extermination is the easy way out—but it’s not the right one. If we want a truly sustainable City in Nature, we must value every pollinator’s life. What can you do? 🐝 Visit Nutrinest Bee Garden—see, learn, and interact with bees in a safe environment 📞 Request relocation (rehome), not extermination when reporting bee sightings 🌿 Support local conservation groups pushing for change 📢 Share this post—help spread awareness about bee conservation Together, we can rewrite Singapore’s relationship with bees—from fear to coexistence, from extermination to conservation. Will you join the buzz? #SaveTheBees #CityInNature #BeeTheChange #Nutrinest #BeemanSingapore Planning your visit? Comment below or DM us for details! Have you ever had a positive bee encounter? Share your story! 🐝💛
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IntroductionLast night, a resident from Buangkok Block 984D called me around 9 PM about a bee infestation. Upon receiving his photos and videos, I confirmed that the bees were Apis dorsata, also known as the giant honey bee. This situation reminded me of a recent problem in Ang Mo Kio, so I decided to investigate further. The Situation at BuangkokWhen I arrived at Block 984D, I noticed a pest control van parked nearby. As I entered the lift, I saw a few bees flying inside and some dead or struggling bees on the floor. Upon reaching the 18th floor, I found many bees swarming around the corridor lights and numerous dead bees on the ground. The strong smell of pesticide indicated that pest control had already sprayed extensively, but the bees were everywhere, making it impossible to chase after each one. Watch the video below to see the conditions I observed at Buangkok Block 984D: As I descended to the lower floors, I noticed a gradual decrease in the number of bees. By the 16th floor, the number of bees had significantly reduced. To understand the full extent of the affected area, I walked to Block 984C and found a similar situation. Suspecting that the bees had been disturbed from a nearby tree, I continued my investigation at Block 992B. The top two floors of this block, closest to the community garden, were also affected. Analysis and FindingsBased on my observations, I believe the bees were resting in a tree within the garden situated between the three blocks, which are roughly 100 to 200 meters apart. Comparing this case to a daytime bee extermination process, it's clear that bees are attracted to light sources at night due to their lost navigation ability. This explains why all three blocks were affected. From below video, you can see the extent of the bee infestation and the aftermath of the pesticide spraying in the day time. The Importance of Bees and Proper ManagementBees are crucial to our environment, playing a vital role in pollination. It's essential to handle bee infestations humanely and effectively. If there's a genuine concern about the bees, relocation or rehoming should be prioritized over extermination. However, if authorities deem extermination necessary, it should be conducted during the day. From the video and my observations, the current nighttime extermination method is not effective, as it leaves behind escaped bees and affects a broader area. Recommendations for Future Actions
ConclusionAs we reflect on the Buangkok incident, it’s clear that better practices are needed. By prioritizing humane relocation and raising awareness about the impacts of toxic pesticides, we can protect both our environment and our communities. For a visual illustration of this story, you can watch the full video here. Call to ActionFor more insights into bee conservation and management, visit our website at www.nutrinests.com. Let's work together to ensure a safer and more bee-friendly environment.
Sign the petition to change the current way the bees are handled. As Singapore celebrates its 59th National Day at Padang, I had the incredible honor of contributing to the festivities in a truly special way – by saving a bee colony and ensuring public safety. This memorable experience fills me with pride and joy, perfectly aligning with Nutrinest’s mission of bee conservation. An Unforgettable Pre-NDP EventIt all started with a call to remove a bee nest at Padang. With the National Day Parade approaching, the need for a quick and humane solution was paramount. The pest control team was ready to step in, but I was given the opportunity to save the bees instead. The Adventure Begins Climbing up the vertical ladder, I scouted the bee nest’s location. The hole was just big enough for me to insert my arm into the metal column. With my special harness securely fastening me to the ladder, my hands were free to perform the delicate task ahead. Although the nest was slightly out of reach, I carefully maneuvered to remove it. A Delicate OperationGently, I transferred the bee nest into my holding box. Ensuring the queen bee was inside was crucial – once she was safe, the rest of the colony would follow. It was mesmerizing to watch as the bees, in perfect order, reunited with their queen. Within 30 minutes, most of the bees had settled in the box. I covered it securely and lowered it, along with my equipment, to the ground. A Heartfelt Thank YouI want to extend my deepest gratitude to Kumar Rajesh for his initiative in engaging Nutrinest for this timely and meaningful pre-NDP event. His foresight allowed us to contribute to National Day celebrations in a unique and impactful way. A Bright Future for Bee ConservationHappy National Day to all my fellow Singaporeans! Let’s continue to strive for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to managing our bees. Together, we can make a significant difference in protecting these vital pollinators. 作为一名专注的蜜蜂保护主义者,出于几个令人信服的原因,我对与害虫防治公司合作持保留态度。首先,创收与保护蜜蜂种群的核心使命之间存在根本的利益冲突。害虫防治公司可能会优先考虑盈利能力而不是蜜蜂的福利,可能会提供更便宜的消灭服务又或者刻意引导人们选择该公司偏向的方法,而不是支持养蜂人的蜜蜂救援工作。 其次,对于是否拯救或消灭蜂群缺乏明确的指导方针,使合作过程进一步复杂化。这种模糊性可能会导致不一致的决策,可能与蜜蜂保护的总体目标不一致。 此外,我们的首要重点应该是保护蜜蜂种群和促进共存,而不是简单地重新安置它们。最好的解决方案是创造一个环境,使蜜蜂能够与人类活动一起繁衍生息,而不会受到干扰。 在考虑与害虫防治公司合作之前,必须满足几个标准,以确保此类伙伴关系的可行性和有效性。
这些标准应包括: 对保护的承诺:害虫防治公司必须表现出对蜜蜂保护的真正承诺,将蜂群的福祉置于短期利润之上。 指南和培训:应制定明确的指南和培训计划,以教育害虫防治人员了解蜜蜂保护和人道清除方法的重要性。 监测和报告:实施监测和报告蜜蜂相关干预措施结果的机制,确保蜜蜂种群得到真正的保护。 :鼓励合作的透明度,双方公开共享信息和进展。 养蜂人和害虫防治公司之间的合作可以为后者带来多种好处,包括提高公众形象、参与重要的保护工作以及潜在的服务多样化。然而,建立制衡机制至关重要,以防止公司利用合作进行营销或品牌推广,而不是真正为蜜蜂保护做出贡献。 为了说明切实可行的方法,害虫防治公司可以参与教育推广计划,投资可持续害虫管理实践的研究,并在必要时积极参与蜂群的拯救和搬迁。应密切监测和评估这些努力,以确保它们符合蜜蜂保护的目标。 确实令人担忧的是,一些养蜂人与害虫防治公司合作,但没有建立健全的机制来保护蜜蜂种群。一位养蜂人曾对我说他尊重害虫防治公司在决定蜂群命运时的“选择自由”的令人震惊的声明凸显了在此类合作中建立明确指导方针和道德标准的紧迫性。即使政府机构采用人道的蜜蜂清除方法,这些机构也必须认真的努力确保移除工作者的作业有达到保护蜂群而不是只是把蜂群移。必须确保害虫防治公司在透明和有效的机制的支持下真正致力于保护蜜蜂。 |