Horror at bees being torched
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 the corner of Sandringham Rd and New North Rd 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.
‘‘I originally didn’t think much of it, but when it happened again I got really upset,’’ he said.
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’’. Baker encouraged people to call a professional who can re-home them, rather than try burn the entire hive. ‘‘It breaks my heart! Maybe they think the only other option is a costly exterminator.’’
She said some people also mistake them for wasps and take rash action.
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.
‘‘I’m so passionate about it, I get so excited when I get a call about rescuing swarms.’’
So far, they have placed ten hives on roofs of building across the Auckland city scape.
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.