USVI-On-Line

We will be on STJ for the first time this July. My husband is alergic to bees and carries an epie pen. I know there are bees on island just want to know if there are any areas that we need to stay away from with nests or that sort of thing. Whenever we go on vacation I check out where the hospital or in this case Myrah Keating so I know where it is just in case. Myself and the kids get more nervous then my husband but just want to be on the safe side. Can't wait to see STJ for the first time!

Be careful around the ruins. I remember a HUGE nest of some sort at Anneberg. IIRC in the windmill.

We have seen hornets(?)nests in the ruins on the path to Waterlemon and in the windmill ruins on Peace Hill. Never have posed a threat to us as we simply keep our distance. Although we were once trapped on Peace Hill during a thundrstorm and we took shelter in the windmill ruins. We just kept an eye on the hornets and they kept to themselves.

Watch out for the Jack Spaniards. I've gotten stung by them and it hurts.

The nests in the ruins are honey bees, not hornets. I have never known any bees to be aggressive here, unless you are practically in their hives.
The jack spaniards are a couple of species of paper wasps that build small nests, usually on twigs or the underside of leaves. One of the two species is more aggressive than the other, both are painful and probably at least somewhat allergenic if you have a bee sensitivity. Do not go off of trails or under low-hanging branches on the beaches, and you shouldn't have to worry.

Last July I was on a sail/snorkel with Han from FlyGirl (highly recommended by the way). We were moored in Hawksnest Bay when poped up one of them random 30 second downpours. As soon as the rain stopped and the sun came back out, a bunch of bees swarmed the boat and I got stung in the arm. Weird...

Thanks for all your input appreciate it.

Honey bees are not aggressive unless you get too close to the nest, I have been 3 feet from a nest without any problems. The wasps I have an allergic reaction to but if your husband has an epi pen he will be fine. If you are hiking they tend to make nests on palm fronds too. Just be aware of your surroundings and stay on the trails and you will be fine! Have fun!