A bee-keeper has caused a buzz in a Futian neighbourhood after a man was stung as he visited a friend.

Now it appears someone has taken revenge against the bees after housing officials said they could find no rules against bee-keeping in residential communities.

The victim, only known by his last name Zhu, said he suffered lumps on his left cheek after being stung by the bees kept in a building in Huolibao housing estate on Xinsha Road.

"It was so itchy and painful for a couple of days even after I sought medical treatment," said Zhu.

Officials with Shatou Subdistrict Committee failed to find related laws to handle the complaint. "No law has been made to ban raising bees in residential communities," said Chen Xiongbiao, an official handling the case, adding that all he could do was to persuade the owner to remove all the bees.

Zhu recovered in a few days, but says he is still bitter about the experience.

"Bees should not be raised in a residential community as they are making a lot of noise, as well as posing a threat to visitors to the neighborhood."

The bees are kept by a 70-year-old man living in the housing estate, identified only as Li who has kept more than 10 beehives for four years.

"This is the first time I have received a complaint," said Li, adding that bees are good friends to humans.

Li said bees do not usually attack. "They only sting people when they feel threatened. In fact, bees die after stinging people."

Li began raising bees when he learnt that bee stings are helpful in curing rheumatism. "My wife suffered rheumatism in her right wrist, which especially affected her in the rainy season. She could barely hold a bowl with her right hand," said Li, adding that his wife was cured after he got a few bees to sting her on the right wrist.

Li said he bought a hive of bees from Huizhou and raised them at home. He said bees became very popular in the neighborhood after many neighbors heard of the bee therapy, adding that many people had recovered from their rheumatism after their treatment.

The bee therapy was confirmed by doctors at the Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

A doctor surnamed Mo at the hospital said bee stings are just like acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has been used since ancient China.

Li said the bees also produce high-quality honey, which he distributes around the neighborhood for free.

However, after the stinging incident he found many of his bees dead Monday afternoon. "I assume that someone has sprayed poison as they fear being bitten," Li said.

(Wei Jie)