Judith Pena | February 1, 2023
A total of 9,766 incidents due to Africanized bees were attended by the Meritorious Fire Department of the Republic of Panama (BCBRP) during 2022; which represents an increase compared to previous years when in 2020 there were 8,007 cases, in 2021 there were 8,424 while; that in the first 29 days of the year 2023, firefighters have responded to 721 situations, with the provinces of Veraguas (184), Panama (152) and Los Santos (106) having the highest number of cases.
According to Lieutenant Alejandro Bonilla, a specialist on the subject and BCBRP instructor, this increase in cases is due to the fact that the species migrates during the dry season in search of food. This migration coincides with the flowering of fruit and flower trees.
He stressed that this mobilization occurs to stock up and rest in residential, commercial, even public areas, they settle in trees with holes, fallen trees, fruit trees, in cement holes or in tires and it is in this movement that situations occur with the human being.
Faced with the appearance of an Africanized bee, specialists recommend withdrawing without generating any noise and immediately asking for help from the fire brigade.
The specialist explained that the bees do not attack to attack, they defend themselves, after feeling a threat towards the queen mother. “In the face of any aggression they activate their defense mechanism, secrete pheromones, a substance with which they warn other bees. In seconds hundreds of them will arrive to face the threat, attacking and stinging everything around them”.
Other recommendations that Bonilla gave is not to attack them, avoid loud noises and smells, since all this alters them. He said that it is also necessary to remain calm.
To guarantee the safety of the personnel and provide assistance to those who require it, the BCBRP acquired 170 professional beekeeping equipment, which it distributed in the 11 regional zones. It is highly protective equipment, fully lined, to avoid contact with bees.
