How to handle a bee invasion this 'swarm season'
We've heard a lot about the plight of the honeybee in recent years and how important it is to our survival to protect them, but what happens when you become an unwilling beekeeper this 'swarm season'?
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Should you find yourself playing host to a swarm of bees at your home or office, experts have some tips that will help to keep you and your insect visitors safe.
First, make sure that the insects you have really are bees and not a lookalike, like hornets or wasps. We have more than 800 species of native bees in Canada, the most famous being honey bees and bumble bees. Both are stocky with no defined waists, have pollen 'baskets' on their legs, and are hairy. Wasps, on the other hand, are slender with narrow waists and smooth bodies.
Don't try to deal with the bees yourself. Ideally, a beekeeper would best be able to recover the hive and safely relocate it. There are also exterminators who specialize in bee capture and removal. And since these key pollinators already face significant challenges to survival around the world, it's important to make sure the bees are rehomed and not destroyed.
Experts say if you feel uncomfortable around a bee, your best bet is to back away slowly.
Source: MeteoMedia | Hinterland Who's Who |
