North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Swarm season brings horror over torching
Bee swarms are on the increase in Auckland, with reports some householders are throwing petrol on the swarms and setting them alight to get rid of them.
One horrified bee expert said people who encounter swarms should simply call a beekeeper, who will collect them for free.
Hobbyist beekeeper Jae Park recently discovered a ‘‘really upsetting’’ sight after being called to Kingsland following reports of bees swarming.
Thousands of dead and dying bees covered the ground, the majority being blackened and charred.
‘‘There was the distinct smell of petrol, like someone had poured gas on them and lit them on fire,’’ Park said.
This was not the first bee swarm being set alight Park had encountered, finding a similar scene in a bush in Rosedale in October.
Bees being torched is an unfortunate reality of swarm season and misinformation around bees, said Jessie Baker, a professional bee wrangler.
She said swarming is a natural reproduction process for bees, ‘‘like a city expanding’’.
‘‘It happens when another queen is about to be born. Sixty per cent of the hive leaves with the old queen,’’ Baker said..
‘‘Bees are very docile when swarming ... and are very unlikely to sting you.’’
She said when a swarm leaves the nest, the workers and drones will settle where ever the queen lands.
Baker encouraged people to call a professional who can rehome them, rather than try burn the entire hive.
Baker and partner Luke Whitfield - owners and founders of Bees Up Top - wrangles rogue swarms every week.
They then take them out to their bee sanctuary in Bethells, before re-homing them on the rooftops of Auckland city.
So far, they have placed ten hives on roofs of building across the Auckland city scape.
She also takes bee classes in school holiday program and is putting hives in schools to educate children on the importance of keeping bees around.
ApiCulture NZ Chief Executive Karin Kos said bees are on the increase in New Zealand, with 400,000 hives in New Zealand five years ago compared to the 800,000 hives now.
She said there has also been a marked increase in bee hobbyists and registered keepers. There were 8000 registered beekeepers in New Zealand, up 18 per cent on last year.