Page 31 - Silver Lakes_Issue 9_2022

LIFESTYLE

The specialist apiculturist will assess 2. How long does it typically take for bees an additional three times that number of
the situation either via information and to build the first combs? pupae and larvae. Most off-the-shelf spray
photographs supplied by the client, or by This can happen in as little as 72 hours from products have the ability to kill a couple of
doing a site inspection. He/she should give the time they enter your structure. thousand adults, leaving the rest of the bees
a quotation with clear parameters of the disturbed and very defensive. This is when
scope of the work. If walls and structures 3. Can I just plug the hole or kill the bees you are in danger of being stung, potentially
need to be chopped or cut open to gain inside the wall? hundreds of times.
access to the combs, the beekeeper will No, this is probably the worst thing you
not be responsible for the repair unless could do! If you plug the entrance, the bees We caution that you do not attempt your
specified. will seek out another exit or even worse, own bee removal procedure, given the
find their way into your home through holes danger and complexity of the process.
In the case of an out-trapping that will take in the cornice, gaps in electrical switches,
place over a 30-day period with possible outlets or light fixtures. 5. Will the bees just leave on their own?
site visits, access to the premises is to be A swarm that has only been there for a day
arranged with the client beforehand. Never kill a colony in a wall or ceiling. or two may very well be a swarming colony
Remember that poison only kills the bees and leave to seek a better, more suitable
Each of the varying options will carry a and larvae. The dead larvae rot and excrete location to build a nest. If the bees have not
different cost, depending on the degree fluids, and in no time you have maggots, yet started their construction of wax combs,
of difficulty and/or danger involved and flies, ants, cockroaches and mice appearing a registered beekeeper and a small fee may
the specialised equipment required. For – and a nasty and sticky mess! be enough to get rid of them – and save
example, doing a swarm removal from a you money by stopping you from having to
cellphone tower or multi-level building The combs, wax, propolis and honey that arrange a costly removal by a bee removal
where specialised safety equipment and remain will attract more bees. These pirate specialist in the future.
an access platform (known as a cherry- bees from all the colonies in the area,
picker) is required, means the client will be attracted to the smell, will start harvesting Don’t delay; once a swarm starts building
quoted at a higher rate than the removal (poisoned) honey, wax, propolis, etc. wax combs, the colony is there to stay and
of a swarming colony hanging off an easily And, because they are competing for the from that day on your problem will just
accessible branch in the front garden. source of food, they tend to be a lot more escalate!
aggressive than the original colony.
Bee removals done at height should only be INTERESTING FACTS
carried out by apiculturists with the required 4. Can’t I just buy spray and kill them? • A single bee colony can pollinate
specialised qualifications and equipment, in Using any poison on a colony of honey bees 300 million flowers each day.
accordance with the Occupational Health is in contravention of Article 36 of 1947. • A single honey bee colony can contain
and Safety Act. Furthermore, the insecticide must come between 20 000 and 80 000 bees.
into contact with the colony to be effective, • A honey bee produces about one-twelfth
Frequently asked questions and it is not always a guarantee that the nest of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime.
1. Why will a beekeeper not fetch the bees area is located near the entrance hole. The • Raw honey naturally contains nutrients
for free? DIY treatment of a bee infestation is risky and enzymes that have a variety of
Removing a colony of bees usually takes and is not recommended. health benefits and medical uses.
more time and effort than the value of the
bees could justify. The colony has to be It is possible for an established bee colony For more information, visit https://bee-
accommodated and a 10-frame hive will to have more than 50 000 adult bees, plus removal.business.site/ or call 082 572 9368
cost about R1 000. One also has to take
into consideration the effort, specialised
training, special equipment and liability
involved in removing them safely.

There are hobbyist beekeepers around
who may be willing to remove a swarm
for free, but be careful: they do not have
the knowledge or experience and are
not accountable to peers or accredited
associations, so you have no guarantee and
no recourse should things go wrong. Neither
their work nor your safety is assured.

INTRAMUROS OCTOBER 2022 | 29