A series of aggressive bee attacks across South Africa has left several people hospitalised and animals dead.

The incidents have raised questions about what causes swarms to attack unsuspecting members of the public.

The latest serious incident occurred in Parys last Saturday (October 17), when a swarm attacked people, dogs and two horses pulling a horse-drawn cart in several streets.

The attack left one woman in a serious condition in hospital, while several dogs and birds reportedly died, reports the Parys Gazette.

The incident followed an attack in Middelburg early October. The Middelburg Observer reported that a man was left in a critical condition and four other people required treatment after bees attacked passers-by and motorists in the central business district.

In Centurion, five people were stung in The Reeds on September 25, with an elderly man hospitalised in a serious but stable condition, reported Pretoria Rekord.

Although the incidents occurred in different locations, they highlight the potential danger of aggressive bee activity and the importance of understanding what can trigger defensive behaviour.

Parys attack leaves residents and animals traumatised

Fifty-eight-year-old William Motsemme, a horse-cart owner from Tumahole, was among the victims of the Parys attack. He was stung several times and taken to hospital but was discharged later that day.

His two horses were also attacked and required assistance from the Parys SPCA, a local veterinarian and bee-removal specialists.

Taryn van Olden, a committee member of the Parys SPCA, said that the organisation received a call at 09:45 to assist the horses.

When she and fellow committee member Hugh du Preez arrived, they found the animals in distress, still tethered to their cart near a fence. The driver appeared to have stopped abruptly before fleeing to escape the swarm.

Part of the swarm was attacking the horses as they kicked against the fence in panic.

Bee Free African Honey Bees was already assisting residents nearby, using smoke to manage the swarm. A member of the public cut the horses’ tethers so they could move away from the immediate danger.

Veterinarian Dr Bastian Fouche treated both animals, while SPCA volunteers and members of the public helped calm and move them to safety.

The rescue operation took about four and a half hours. The horses were transported separately to the SPCA premises, where they received food, water and further veterinary

The attack affected residents in Freedman, Unie, Wes and Barnes streets, with emergency personnel also assisting human victims. A woman was admitted to Mediclinic Potchefstroom in a serious condition.

Middelburg swarm attacked passers-by

In Middelburg, an aggressive swarm attacked people and motorists in the central business district on Sunday, September 27.

One man was taken to hospital in a critical condition, while four other people received treatment.

Middelburg Community Policing Forum chairperson Juanitha Groenewald attributed the bees’ aggression largely to extreme heat and sudden weather changes, which she said could have made the colony unusually hostile.

A subsequent operation on October 1 targeted a nest high in the roof of the old FNB building. Martin Nel and the Hassens Group used a cherry-picker and specialised smoking equipment to address the remaining danger.

The operation involved emergency responders, community policing forum members and a local bee expert. The nest was removed and the area was declared safe.

What makes bees attack?

Bees do not generally attack people without a trigger. Honeybees defend their colony when they perceive a threat, and an individual disturbance can prompt more bees to join the defensive response.

Heat and changing weather conditions may influence bee activity, but weather alone cannot be confirmed as the cause of these incidents. Disturbing a nest, loud vibrations from lawnmowers or brush cutters, and activity close to a colony can also provoke defensive behaviour.

The Community Emergency Response Team Centurion warned residents that bee activity could increase as temperatures rise. It advised anyone encountering agitated bees to move away quickly and seek shelter inside a building or vehicle, protecting their face and eyes while doing so.

People should not swat at bees or attempt to disturb or remove a colony themselves. A professional bee-removal service should be contacted when a swarm or nest poses a risk.

Multiple stings can be dangerous, particularly for vulnerable people. Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or signs of collapse after a sting require immediate emergency medical assistance.

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