Latest update April 4th, 2025 12:14 AM
UG temporarily shut down because of stench
– Rotting beetles identified as source
The University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen campus was for the past couple of days affected by an unbearable stench which forced its temporary closure yesterday, with classes resuming today.
Deputy Vice Chancellor Phillip DaSilva told Kaieteur News that an investigation was conducted by the Department of Biology and the findings, through its lecturer C.R. Bernard, were that the stench was caused by rotting beetles.
“These beetles are likely the small black species which at night gather in large numbers… They have their colonies in the ground and the larvae stay until their metamorphosis to adult beetles.”
A section of the fields that were flooded and smelling, and where the beetles and larvae were identified by the EPA.
The report stated that the recent rains had flooded UG grounds and the beetle larvae which could not be under water for a long time, and were slow movers, drowned.
According to the report, the “larvae will continue to rot and release that pungent odour across campus unless there is a suitable intervention…the issue is prolonged by the larva carcasses resting in water and the potential for bacterial growth is significant.”
Deputy VC Da Silva established that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was called in and they had a look at the affected areas where the stench emanated from and they confirmed that the decomposition of the dead beetles and the larvae are what is causing the stench.
As such UG has taken steps in fumigating the affected areas to subdue the unpleasant smell.
“As the situation stands presently, there is nothing else that can be done but to let nature take its course and allow the insects to decompose completely until the odour goes away. The sun drying up the flooded ground has aided in the process,” Da Silva said.
The University of Guyana Students’ Society (UGSS) through its President Richard Rambarran had expressed deep concerns about the pungent odour permeating the campus to UG’s administrative staff – cting it as being hazardous to the health of students – and advising that classes should be suspended.
The UGSS said that it was pleased by the quick response and deliberation on the matter taken by the administration.
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