3 days ago
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Friday’s bee attack that preceded the death of twenty-one-year-old Xue Hua Liu has led to fresh warnings about the dangers posed by disturbed colonies. Liu reportedly entered the Belize River while attempting to escape a swarm. Following an hours-long search by authorities and civilian divers, her body was recovered shortly before four o’clock that afternoon. National Coordinator for Honey and Beekeeping Miguel Huertas says the colony may have already been established in the area before it was disturbed. He explained that agitated bees can remain defensive for up to forty-eight hours, increasing the risk of another attack if people approach the location.
Miguel Huertas, National Coordinator of Honey and Beekeeping: “If we are in a situation that bees are disturbed and they are all over defending the colonies because they have stingers and they can sting. So we advise people to get into a vehicle because you can close the windows, close the doors and that is the safe place. Or a house that you know that you can lock yourself inside and bees cannot go in. There is a recommendation somewhere that you can get inside in water but bees will be right on top waiting for you. You can get inside a drum, cover yourself with the drum bees will be right outside waiting for you. So the best idea is get shelter somewhere safe or into a vehicle where you can drive off. Normally when we receive a call or the first thing that we notice that the public does is use a Fish Spray because they feel like it is just a tiny amount of bees and they spray the area and it gets worse because this Fish Spray they feel threatened, the colony feels threatened and they will defend all the bees that are inside. Another thing that they normally do is try to light fire and to burn the entrance but the colony is inside probably a concrete wall, inside a tree trunk, all the way up in a tree, the avocado trees are the ones that more reports are on avocado trees because they’re all hollow inside and the bees are from all the way to the top all the way to the bottom and they can come and go out in all directions. We have trained all our districts once from Corozal to Stann Creek and Toledo. We trained already experts that their phone numbers are on our Facebook page. And currently we will be sharing it with firefighters and also with our police officers. So that whoever called the police department they can address them directly to the ones who are on your specific area. We have a few tips that we can share with you. One, mix a very strong coffee and then that can allow you to reach to medical attention. Another one, and don’t take advantage of this is that you can take a shot of strong alcohol. This is just for you to reach a hospital where you should. And there are several pills and several injections that you can use but then let’s leave that to the experts on the pharmacies and hospitals. But just be very careful, be vigilant where you, your backyard, your surroundings, where you work. So to be aware of the bees because bees can be in one space. They just need a small entrance and they will be coming in and coming out. And then don’t do it yourself. Let someone with experience deal with it.”
Huertas says vigilance is especially important during Belize’s honey-production season, which runs from January to August. Greater access to nectar and pollen allows colonies to expand and form new swarms in trees, abandoned buildings, farms and other locations where they may not be easily detected. The circumstances surrounding Liu’s entry into the river remain subject to investigation. However, Huertas is advising people not to approach or disturb bee colonies and to report swarms found near homes or populated areas to the relevant authorities. In April 2025, fifty-nine-year-old Japy Neldo Perez also died following a bee attack while working on a farm in San Pedro Colombia Village, Toledo District.
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