The Buangkok Incident: Lessons in Bee Management and Conservation

​Introduction

​Last 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 Buangkok

When 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 Findings

​Based 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 Management

​Bees 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

• Humane Relocation: Whenever possible, efforts should be made to relocate or rehome the bees.
• Daytime Extermination: If extermination is unavoidable, it should be done during the day when bees are less likely to be attracted to artificial light sources, thus minimizing the affected area.
• Nighttime Precautions: If nighttime extermination is the only option, it should be carried out after midnight when most residents are indoors. Notices should be given to every household with specific details about the extermination date, time, company responsible, and a feedback number for residents' concerns.
• Public Awareness: Educating the public about coexisting with bees and the importance of humane treatment can help reduce panic and promote better management practices.

​Conclusion

As 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 Action

For 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. 
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