The number of bee-related incidents in the Federal District has increased. This Thursday (11/27), a swarm attacked people passing through the 713 block of Asa Seoul. At least three people were treated and needed to be urgently transferred to hospitals.
Although there are no official statistics on stings, according to the CBMDF, the number of calls to catch or remove insects – bees, wasps and the like – has increased dramatically.
From January to October 2025, 8,185 incidents were recorded – a daily average of 27 arrests or removals. That number is 131% higher than last year, when 3,534 people were arrested or removed by the fire department.
Compared to just October, the increase is even more significant. In 2024, there were 343 cases, and this year the data jumped to 1,711, a growth of 399%.
One of the most shocking cases occurred in February, when 14-year-old student Vitor Hugo Ferreira Duarte was stung by about 4,500 bees in Fercal. He was attacked by a swarm while fetching the ball next to Kema Lenkoul Primary School.
The teenager’s body was covered in bees, stinging his mouth, lips, ears, nose, eyes, feet and even his genitals. The teenager was rescued by the team at Basic Health Unit (UBS) 3 in Ferkal. He was hospitalized for two weeks and was discharged on February 28.
Reasons
According to beekeeper Jose Serafeim, who has worked in the field for 45 years, there are three main factors that contribute to bees invading urban areas. He believed that “the breeding period, fires, and high temperatures may affect the behavior of bees.”
“The heat can make them more disturbed and vulnerable to attack,” the beekeeper said. “Moreover, the presence of young ones, and noise caused by activities such as trimming grass or protecting honey can be other factors that trigger them.”
This is what happened to a student and a teacher from Escola Classe 209 in Asa Sul, who were attacked by a swarm of bees last Tuesday (11/18).
According to the fire department, when crews arrived at the scene, they found the bee swarm disturbed, possibly due to a mowing service performed by Novacap on the grass outside the school.
Despite the horror, the student and the principal were not seriously injured and there was no need to be taken to the hospital.
Other cases
Other incidents with bees marked the DF, in 2025. In April, a 69-year-old woman was rescued by the fire department, in Samambaya, after she was attacked during an exam. She was transported, conscious and oriented, to the Human Rights Center, displaying multiple bite marks on her stomach, face, neck, arms and feet.
In June, a dog was killed and a man injured after a swarm of bees attacked in Lago Norte. One beekeeper even worked with the CBMDF garrison, trying to control and remove the swarm safely, but he too was attacked.
Four months later, in October, a bee attack at Sociedade Hípica de Brasília injured a man and killed a horse. The human victim was an employee of the organization who was attacked while trying to rescue the animals during the swarm attack.
In Catalao, a city in Goiás located 314 kilometers from Brasilia, a 9-year-old boy, who suffered more than 1,000 bee stings while playing in a forest area, died on Monday (11/24), on November 15. João Pedro is hospitalized in Uberlandia (MG).
advice
But what do you do if you find yourself in a swarm? Captain Claudio Oliveira, from the Fire Department’s Communications Center, confirmed that with the arrival of the hottest and driest period of the year, bee activity and the number of incidents involving swarms in urban areas increase.
According to the official, the basic advice is to never approach beehives or swarms. “Avoid trying to see closely, poking, throwing objects, or lighting smoke. Bees are very sensitive to vibrations and noise,” he warned.
Another point highlighted by the Commander of the Joint Civil Defense Force is identifying signs of movement. “Migrating swarms – when bees migrate as a group in search of a new location – tend to remain clustered on poles, trees, walls or vehicles for a few hours. Do not touch or approach them,” he advised.
However, if this is unavoidable and the swarm ends up chasing you, Claudio Oliveira said the first thing to do is to try to run to an enclosed space. He pointed out, “Immediately enter a car, a home, an institution, or any environment that allows you to close the doors and windows. This stops the attack.”
The captain commented, “Cover your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands or your shirt. Stings in these areas are more dangerous. Also, do not dive into a pond, lake, or river. The bees wait on the surface and continue attacking when you emerge.”
If you are attacked with multiple bites, it is recommended that you seek care immediately. He added: “Do not use home remedies such as clay, toothpaste or ice directly on the sting. The stinger should be removed by scraping the skin with a hard card or your fingernail, and never apply pressure with your fingers.”