The residents of Corfe Avenue in the Warndon Villages area of Worcester

The residents of Corfe Avenue in the Warndon Villages area of Worcester are dealing with a significant problem involving large swarms of bees that have made their lives difficult.

The bees have reportedly stung people on numerous occasions and prevented tradespeople from working outside due to fear of being stung. The issue is believed to stem from a property with several apartments, where an estimated 21 unmanaged beehives are located in the back garden. The owner of the property has not yet responded to comments about the matter.

City councillor Sarah Murray is concerned about the environmental impact of the excessive honeybee population, which could potentially outcompete other native species such as bumblebees and solitary bees, as well as butterflies, which are crucial for pollination. She also emphasized the inconvenience and potential health risks posed to residents and their pets.

Pensioner Daphne Wood and another neighbor, identified as Julie, shared their experiences with the bees. Wood mentioned that she could no longer leave her back door open while cooking because the bees would enter her kitchen. Julie spoke about being stung frequently and the challenges faced by residents trying to maintain their properties. She also highlighted that one neighbor had to pay over £1,000 to remove bees from her chimney.

Worcester City Council is currently investigating the complaints and has not provided further comment at this time. The situation underscores the importance of responsible beekeeping and managing hive numbers to prevent such disturbances to local communities and ecosystems.
BBC