Do bees attack in groups? Kuya Kim answers

Residents from Brgy. Halang in Naic, Cavite were alarmed after loads of bees swarmed a mango tree.

The residents were concerned as the bees may cause harm, especially to the children living nearby.

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras,” Thursday, even if we mostly see them attack as groups only in cartoon shows, this can happen in real life.

Bees, when they feel they are threatened or are disturbed, can come together to protect their queen.

According to entomologist Almhar Cervantes, the gathering of the bees in the mango tree in Brgy. Halang is a natural phenomenon.

“Ang swarming ng mga bubuyog nangyayari yan kapag yung kanyang existing na hive, masyado na silang madami, siksikan na sila. Ang ginagawa ng queen bee, humihiwalay siya nagdadala siya ng isang malaking grupo ng mga workers at naghahanap sila ng bagong lugar kung saan sila magha-hive,” he said.

“Natural na nilang phenomena yung pagkakaroon ng swarming kasi yun yung means nila para magpadami,” he added.

In case bees swarm your home, it is a must to avoid threatening them, especially since they can sting. It is important to give them the right space.

Keep your pets and anyone allergic to bee sting away from the area and avoid spraying insecticides or using traps.

“Di naman sila agad mamamatay don eh. Marami pa doon, magiging aggressive, kakalat, tapos mangsi-sting,” Almhar advised.

Instead, call a professional to properly handle and get rid of the bees.

But according to Dondon Palma, a resident who lives close to the mango tree, “Nagsunog lang ho kami ng dahon ng niyog para pausukan po sila. Nag-alisan na po.”

According to the entomologist, this covered their alert pheromone, which disturbed the bees.

“Tinatakpan mo yung kanilang alert pheromone, nadi-disturb sila pero hindi sila nagiging aggressive, nakakalma sila sa smoke,” he said.

The bees are also vital in environmental preservation, Almhar said.

“Hindi ka nila sasaktan nang hindi mo rin sila pinapakitaan ng aggressive na actions. Napaka-important nila sa ating environment sila ang pinakamagaling pagdating sa pollination.” — Carby Basina/BAP, GMA Integrated News