Singapore Bee Rescuer Has Relocated About Six Million Bees
Tuesday, 2026/07/07211 words3 minutes1679 reads
When people discover bee nests near their homes, they usually call pest-control companies to remove them. However, Clarence Chua in Singapore offers a different approach. Instead of killing the bees, he relocates entire colonies to safer locations.
Over the past six years, the 42-year-old has relocated approximately six million bees. He handles around 100 nests annually, carefully removing the queen, worker bees, young bees, and the nest structure. These colonies are then transferred to one of three managed apiaries, including one in his own backyard.
Chua's work takes him to unusual locations. He has removed nests from homes, religious shrines, and even aircraft engines. The job carries significant risks—during one rescue operation, he was stung about 100 times. Sometimes he begins inspections without full protective equipment to assess how defensive or calm a colony is before deciding his approach.
While his service costs between S$100 and S$500—more expensive than extermination—public attitudes are shifting. Some organizations managing Singapore's public housing estates now hire Chua to relocate colonies instead of destroying them. He also shares rescue videos on social media, where he has gained about 20,000 followers. Through his work, Chua hopes to demonstrate that bees are vital for pollinating plants and supporting food production, making their protection essential for agriculture and biodiversity.
