In Singapore, bees are being perceived as a pest. They are often being regarded as a nuisance due to the perception that they only buzz and sting and people have limited knowledge about the meaningful existence of bees.
Bees infestations in Singapore. Source from Straits Times.
As Singapore has limited greens for honey bees to nest, they are often found to swarm around the buildings and parks in Singapore. There have been many cases reported that bees are found building nest and colonies up in the trees near human traffic areas and even in buildings. Bee attack incidents are also frequently portrayed by the media to be scary and intentional, where in fact bees do not usually attack humans unless they are under threat or perceive danger.
When beehives or swarms are found in urban areas, living too closely to humans, people will call pest control companies to remove the bee colonies. However, these colonies removed, are often being destroyed by chemicals, instead of being relocated. Cases where the National Parks Board (NParks) have been asked to intervene, were also redirected to the pest control companies by them.
While bees are found dying at an alarming rate in many parts of the world due to CCD and people are trying all means to save the bees, here in Singapore, people are ending the lives of the bees by the colony, not knowing the importance and benefits that bees can bring to us.