Red Deer group creating buzz over bees and other pollinators

She added that many people are aware of the plight of the honey bees because they provide measurable commodities, but that many don’t know there are nearly 20 species of bumble bees in our area.

Additional to the education on the types of bees and pollinators, Briere said it’s imperative that people know what actions they can take when there are no active swarms to prevent future swarms from taking up residence on their property.

“Take preventative measures. Bees that are swarming are opportunists looking for an enclosed, sheltered space to occupy. If you have a shed with a hole to the outside, bees might find it and want to set up shop.”

Briere said simply by filling in gaps and holes home-owners can help ensure that a swarm of bees never becomes a problem.

Briere started the Red Deer Bee Keepers Association in 2013 when she simply wanted to connect with other like-minded people and provide a forum for sharing information on bee keeping in our area. The group became a proper society just this year.

Climate is a huge deciding factor in keeping the group locally based, said Briere. She noted because of the “special circumstances” we have here, like harsh winters and intense flower bloom periods, it’s easier if the bee keepers involved are similarly knowledgeable.

“There’s no single way to keep bees and by sharing information and experiences, we are able to better support informed decision making, enable productive hive management, and create a healthy environment for all our bees.”

The group regularly hosts events including field days where they visit hives and discuss what’s going on and how it works.

She said they are the group to call upon should Central Albertans find a swarm of bees because they have so many well-educated members who can split the duties and respond to requests quickly.

“By having an experienced bee keeper come and remove the colony, the homeowner has the opportunity to watch and learn some pretty fascinating animal behaviour and ecology, as well as find out how to prevent the situation from recurring.”

In 2017 the associated has had 48 swarms reported to them. Some of these were true swarms which Briere describes as a cluster of bees not yet in a structure. These swarms are easily retrieved.

“Probably half of those 48 reports were either honey bees that had started a colony inside the wall of a shed or other building, or was a colony of bumble bees that someone wanted removed.”

Once retrieved the bees go with the keeper to their apiary where they have a hive ready for the bees to start working to build comb to store honey and for the queen to lay eggs in.

“What’s great for residents to know is that when bees are swarming, they are docile. They do not have brood (babies) or a hive to defend, they’re just looking for a new home because their previous one was getting over-crowded.”

If residents need to report a swarm they can do so at reddeerbees.ca

by Kirsten Dennis

Red Deer group creating buzz over bees and other pollinators

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