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North Okanagan RCMP are buzzing over the theft of five beehives in the Coldstream area.

RCMP spokesman Gord Molendyk says on Friday July 18, police received a report that five beehives had been lifted from a property in the 7900 block of McClounie Road.

Molendyk says the owner had left the hives on the property for the summer and was out of town for a few days when they were taken. He states they are valued at over $3,000 and when the hives earning potential is taken into account, the owner could be out well over $10,000.

“The owner of the hives believes that the theft had just recently occurred as there were still numerous bees in the area where the hives had been,” says Molendyk.

The owner described one hive as weighing 300lbs, two weighing 100-300lbs, and two others weighing about 100 lbs. The five hives were broken down into 16 supers, which are the boxes of the hive.

“The owner believes the theft occurred at night, and likely two people were involved (to lift the hives) into a vehicle (truck or SUV),” says Molendyk.

The police are now asking anyone with any information about this theft to please contact the Vernon/North Okanagan Detachment at at (250)-545-7171. 

They are also urging other bee keepers in the area to be extra vigilant for possible thefts.