Bee swarm kills five dogs next to Waterval Boven old age home
"All five of the neighbour's dogs were stung to death."
Five dogs died and a few people were stung by a swarm of angry bees in Waterval Boven on Monday November 14.
The incident happened next to the Silverdays Old Age Home and resulted in residents being advised to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed until the bees had calmed down and the swarm could be removed.
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Silverdays’ manager, Elise Steenkamp, said, “We had a huge commotion yesterday after someone started spraying the hive in the neighbour’s house with poison. This triggered the bees into attack mode. All five of the neighbour’s dogs were stung to death.”
Fortunately, none of the elderly residents were stung, although two workers from the next door property did suffer mild stings.
Waterval Boven beekeeper Deon Struckmeyer said, “When a swarm of bees is triggered, mayhem ensues. Any number of factors can trigger the swarm, including higher temperatures, noise, vibrations, and of course, spraying them with poison.”
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Struckmeyer was on his way to assess the situation at Silverdays prior to removing the swarm tonight, November 15.
“We can do nothing during the day, and my son and I will go in tonight when it is cooler so we can safely remove the hive,” he said.
He stressed that killing bees is illegal in South Africa. If anybody is concerned by a hive on or close to their property, a beekeeper should be called in.
By this afternoon, the bees were still swarming. They could pose a danger until the whole hive is removed.
