Page 19 - Blue Valley Issue 4 2020 print.pdf

LIFESTYLE

animal, it is important to keep a safe distance waste bins, bird logs, hollow tree trunks and the bees will often move on. Again, never
from a swarming colony and certainly from any space in which they feel at home and try to spray, smoke or ‘catch’ the swarm.
an established honey bee nest. However, protected from the elements. Every colony’s • If bees occupy a space for 2 or more weeks,
during swarming, the honey bees are at their choice is unique. Removing an established seek the services of a professional bee
most vulnerable without the protection of colony of honey bees takes skill and removal service.
an established home. En route to their new experience.
home, they will often do ‘pit stops’ by settling NOTE: Ideally, in urban locations, bees
on nearby tree branches or objects for a few It is important to note, that by law, home should be relocated at night. It can be VERY
hours. This is done as the queen bee cannot owners are entitled to arrange (and should dangerous to do bee removals during the
fly for long distances. fund) the removal of a colony which is day. However, sometimes the size of the
located within the perimeter of their colony and location of a bee removal requires
THE SWARMING INSTINCT property. If the bees occupy boxes or man a day time removal. In addition to safety
There are many factors which trigger the holes outside the boundary walls, it is up considerations, one third of the colony is out
swarming instinct. As temperatures begin to the council to organise and fund the bee foraging for nectar and pollen during the
to warm up, the inflow of nectar and pollen removal. Often the fibre companies, Rand day. Removing the colony during the day will
triggers the queen to lay more eggs and Water, Eskom etc have contracts in place result in the foraging bees returning, only to
therefore a colony can rapidly outgrow its with accredited service providers. find the queen and the rest of the colony have
occupied space which may prompt swarming. disappeared. Without the protection of the
It could also be that the queen who lives Unfortunately, some unscrupulous bee super organism they will die off.
between 4 and 7 years, is aging, and the removal ‘experts’ do NOT re-hive the swarm
when it is possible to do so. These individuals
worker bees respond by raising a new queen. Finally, here are some important questions
It is never a good idea to have two queens in do not take care of the brood (baby bees) and to ask your bee removal service provider:
one household (nudge-nudge, wink-wink!). often throw the comb and bees into plastic • Are you a registered beekeeper?
And so, the old queen prepares to swarm off drums which they discard before moving on • Can you please include your DAFF
with some of the worker bees to establish a to the next bee removal. The brood needs to registration number on the invoice?
be kept at a constant temperature of around
new colony. They even pack ‘lunch’ by filling • Is it safe to do the removal during the day?
their separate honey tummies with honey to 36°C in order to survive. Ideally, the bees • Where will the bees be relocated to?
sustain them on their journey. should be re-hived into a catch box or larger • Are you a member of your local Bee
brood box as soon as possible. Failing to do so Association and/or SABIO?
will result in the demise of the colony.
WHEN HONEY BEES MOVE IN… • Will the bees be re-hived on site or after the
In Celtic mythology, the honey bee is a Here are some guidelines to follow if honey bee removal?
messenger between our world and the spirit bees ‘move in’: • Could you please provide an update on
realm. It is often associated with wisdom. In • Always keep a safe distance from a colony how the bees have settled in at their new
ancient Egypt, it was believed that the sun god or swarming bees. location?
Ra created the honey bee from his tears and • Never attempt to smoke, poison, spray
that messages were delivered to earth by honey or remove bees. honey bees are very Did you know? It takes 12 honey bees all
bees ‘dripping’ straight from the face of Ra. defensive and an attack can be fatal. their life’s work to produce ONE teaspoon of
honey. Know where your honey comes from
• If clusters of swarming bees can be
Honey bees will naturally occupy roof seen hanging from a branch or tree, it is and be prepared to pay fair prices for real,
cavities, meter and pool motor boxes, drums, advisable to let them be for a day or two as honest honey. BV

Natasha is a SABIO and Southerns
Beekeeping Association Member. She
is also a honey Judge Steward with the
SA honey Judge Guild and a registered
DAFF member. She is passionate about
honey bee education and does honey bee
talks and private honey tastings - email
natasha@lyonfamily.co.za, if you would
like to arrange a honey bee talk or honey
tasting.

For further information regarding
honey bee removals, please email
Southerns Beekeeping Association
info@southerns.co.za or visit SABIO
(www.sabio.org.za).

You can also visit The Medicine Garden
(www.medicinegarden.co.za) for com-
panion planting to manage garden pests
and see seasonal lists of what to plant for
bees.

The CANDIDE garden App is also a
wonderful resource.

BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 4 2020 • 17