One great pleasure this past Christmas was the discovery of, and quick removal of, a bee hive. The hive formed on a tree in our frontyard.
The hive formed of a wild swarm of bees. It was first noticed by a household member at a time when the hive was aged to three weeks. The hive was settled onto a single tree branch two metres from the ground. The tree is a New South Wales Christmas bush. The bush was in flower at the time. We were wise to the presence of a local bee swarm in that we had earlier identified an extensive number of bees drinking water from the backyard pond.
We reported the bee hive using an easy-to-complete online form on a website called SwarmPatrol. The form matches those who report bee swarms to beekeepers. We were matched to a local beekeeper - another Lane Covian. Indeed, we were delighted for two local beekeepers to contact us (including the founder of the SwarmPatrol website who lives in Lane Cove).
The beekeeper attended within 24 hours. He wore protective clothing. He came with a wooden box that would contain the bees. On taking care to tie the branch that it would not fall when cut, the branch was severed from the trree with the hive fully intact. The hive neatly fitted to the box with all but a few bees contained for transport.
The beekeeper's services were free - as a bonus we received a jam jar size sample of his honey.
We learnt that SwarmPatrol brings a huge benefit to the environment. Homeowners on identifying a swarm are possibly going to respond by calling in an exterminator. An exterminator would use a posion to kill the bees. However, a beekeeper has an interest in colonising the bess. So, SwarmPatrol is a win for the homeowner and a win for beekeepers.
Since removal of the hive I have been to the beekeepers home within Lane Cove. While at his home I purchased a 3L tub of honey. I was welcomed into the backyard to sight the active hives and to observe the bees taken from my home.
Shalom,
Ozhamada
#Bees #beegarden #garden #winwin #lanecove #inthecove #australianflora
The hive formed of a wild swarm of bees. It was first noticed by a household member at a time when the hive was aged to three weeks. The hive was settled onto a single tree branch two metres from the ground. The tree is a New South Wales Christmas bush. The bush was in flower at the time. We were wise to the presence of a local bee swarm in that we had earlier identified an extensive number of bees drinking water from the backyard pond.
 |
| Three distinct combs attached to a single tree branch. |
We reported the bee hive using an easy-to-complete online form on a website called SwarmPatrol. The form matches those who report bee swarms to beekeepers. We were matched to a local beekeeper - another Lane Covian. Indeed, we were delighted for two local beekeepers to contact us (including the founder of the SwarmPatrol website who lives in Lane Cove).
The beekeeper attended within 24 hours. He wore protective clothing. He came with a wooden box that would contain the bees. On taking care to tie the branch that it would not fall when cut, the branch was severed from the trree with the hive fully intact. The hive neatly fitted to the box with all but a few bees contained for transport.
The beekeeper's services were free - as a bonus we received a jam jar size sample of his honey.
We learnt that SwarmPatrol brings a huge benefit to the environment. Homeowners on identifying a swarm are possibly going to respond by calling in an exterminator. An exterminator would use a posion to kill the bees. However, a beekeeper has an interest in colonising the bess. So, SwarmPatrol is a win for the homeowner and a win for beekeepers.
Since removal of the hive I have been to the beekeepers home within Lane Cove. While at his home I purchased a 3L tub of honey. I was welcomed into the backyard to sight the active hives and to observe the bees taken from my home.
Shalom,
Ozhamada
#Bees #beegarden #garden #winwin #lanecove #inthecove #australianflora
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are most welcome. It would be most arrogant of me to think that my opinion, or my research, is 100% sound. Your comments shape and build this work.
I have made edits (and whole post deletions) based on feedback of others. I will continue to do so.