Beemasters seek free bees

Photo: Contributed

See a swarm of bees? Call it in. 

Beekeepers of the South Okanagan are asking residents to report bee swarms. Volunteer beekeepers will come to where swarms are located and collect them. 

Bees generally swarm in late April or early May but can occasionally swarm again in the summer. 

A bee swarm happens when the queen bee leaves a colony with a large group of worker bees to establish a new colony. Up to 60 per cent of the bees in the hive, which could total thousands of bees, will leave the old colony all at once.  Swarming is the natural means of reproduction that in the wild allows for new colonies to be established.

 “Seeing a swarm in flight is incredibly impressive,” explains Tim Bouwmeester a local bee keeper. “It is something you will remember for the rest of your life.”

Although impressive, a swarm is not dangerous. Without larvae to protect the bees will rarely sting.

The bees will often form into a large ball on trees or overhangs. This protects the queen and keeps the bees warm until they can find a new home. This is the best time to capture a colony as the bees are often sluggish and easy to handle. 

Bouwmeester thinks capturing swarms is best for the bees and homeowners. A new bee colony can cost well over $100 to purchase. Capturing swarms is an affordable way for beekeepers to get a new colony. Uncaptured swarms can also cause problems for homeowners. 

“Bees have been known to find small openings in roofs. If they establish a colony in the roof they can cause a mess and often need to be exterminated. Having bee keepers capture them and take care of them is the best alternative for everyone.” 

To report a swarm anywhere around Penticton, Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos or the Similkameen please contact Tim Bouwmeester at [email protected] or 250-770-1434 who will then contact a local beekeeper to pick up the swarm.

Photo: Contributed