Spring is on its way. We had a mild winter, but it seems to have ended a bit wild with polar blasts and endless showers. This can play havoc on our insects. Insects tend to use temperature as their seasonal cue and plants use light intensity and daylight hours. With unsettled weather they can become out of sync with each other, and this can cause problems for insects as they start to develop and then run out of their expected food. Bees are particularly sensitive creatures and are more prone to getting caught out. Fortunately, managed beehives are looked after by their keepers, native bees and other insects are not so lucky. One thing to consider when planting your bee-friendly garden is that during the summer there is usually plenty of forage available. To really help bees you could plant early flowering plants, so that bees will have plenty to eat in the spring. Plants that flower later in autumn and even over winter are also beneficial.
Writing this in mid-September, I’ve already heard of several swarms; I’m sure that early October will see many more. Swarms are one of nature’s marvels; the hive reproduces by splitting – the old queen departs with half of the bees and half the honey then finds another place to live. She leaves behind queen cells, the oldest queen emerges from her cell and kills the other queens. The hive continues. Beekeepers try to avoid this because they want to have a very strong hive before the flowers start to bloom, we call this the nectar flow. The swarming urge is strong and we are not always successful thwarting the desire to swarm. If you see a swarm the first thing to remember is that bees are at their least defensive when swarming i.e. most unlikely to sting you. The best thing that you can do is to report it to someone who will collect it and care for them. Your first choice should always be a local Bee club, they are all passionate beekeepers who will freely give their time to collect and re-home a swarm, and tell you all about bees while doing so. There are usually local talented hobbyist beekeepers who will collect bees and give them their best home. Google it or ask on your local community FB page. APINZ (Apiculture NZ) website has a list of commercial and semi-commercial beekeepers that will collect a swarm.
Because of parasitic varroa mites, swarming bees that have made a home in the wild will not live for much more than a year. Beekeepers are constantly checking and caring for their bees. There are others that will collect bees but be aware that they may charge you. Please avoid calling a pest controller unless they pose a threat or they have moved into a wall or roof space. When you do call someone to collect a swarm, they will need some information. The important things that they need to be aware of is: how big is the swarm? The size of a rugby ball? Basketball? Or Softball? How high is it? How easy is the access? How long has it been there? Oh, and don’t forget to offer them a nice cuppa or G&T.
