WILLEMSTAD – Swarms of bees are increasingly appearing in residential neighborhoods across Curaçao, sparking safety concerns after several recent attacks on people and animals—one of which proved fatal. Statistics indicate the island experiences one to two bee-related deaths each year.
According to local beekeeper Juric Felipa, who removes multiple nests daily, the spike in bee activity is a result of rising temperatures, frequent rain, and shrinking natural habitats.
“Where should the bees go when their environment disappears?” he asked.
Daily Emergency Calls and Fatal Incident
Police are reportedly overwhelmed with daily calls about aggressive bees. In one recent incident, a 62-year-old man died in the eastern part of the island after accidentally disturbing a bee nest while clearing land with a bulldozer. He was attacked by hundreds of bees and could not be saved.
Felipa emphasizes that bees typically only become aggressive when they feel threatened. He urges the public to avoid disturbing nests and to immediately leave the area and contact a professional beekeeper instead.
Growing Frequency and Intensity of Attacks
Felipa confirms that bee incidents are becoming both more frequent and more intense. On a single day, he may be called to relocate or remove up to eight nests. He is one of ten active beekeepers on the island performing this work daily.
“Bees are moving more often into urban areas,” Felipa explained. “They used to stay along the coast or in the wild, but as those areas are lost to development, they’re forced to find new places—houses, abandoned buildings, and hollow walls, especially in areas like Willemstad where many such structures exist.”
Concerns Over Aggressive Hybrids
There has been local media speculation about possible hybridization with more aggressive Africanized bees, though Felipa stresses there is no scientific research to confirm this. “There’s a lot of talk, but without proper studies, we can’t say for sure,” he said. “What is clear is that bees have always been part of the island.”
Rare Nest Under Police Guard
Felipa is currently working on a particularly rare case—a bee nest that has remained undetected for 20 years under the roof of a home on a public road. Due to earlier incidents, the police have cordoned off the street and notified nearby residents to prevent further accidents.
In some cases, police order the destruction of the bee colonies, as they have done here. However, Felipa consistently advocates for preservation.
“Without bees, we have nothing,” he said. “No fruit, no vegetables, no honey. Even candles and cosmetics rely on bee products.”
Felipa and other experts are calling for more research and coordinated response plans as human-bee conflicts continue to rise across the island.
