
Islanders with honey bee swarms can reach out for expert help, and learn something too
CBC
Laura Dillon and her three young kids got a surprise recently at their home in Richmond.
Hundreds of bees had gathered on the hood of their parked truck, with more hovering above.
"The kids came over to the window and we were watching and watching. It just seemed like more and more bees were coming," she said.
"And then I was like, 'OK, I think we have a problem here because we're going camping. We need the truck today to go to Marco Polo Land.'"
She posted a question online to get some advice about what to do with a swarm of bees.
"I had four beekeepers reach out to me within 20 minutes, all saying that they could come and and rescue the swarm," Dillon said.
One soon arrived and the family watched from the window.
"He had his whole bee suit on, and he had told us that they were very gentle so we were welcome to watch from outside, but we preferred to stay at the window," she said.
"We felt honoured that they chose our home."
P.E.I. Beekeepers Association president Troy Fraser said the first thing people in a similar situation should do is remain calm.
"They aren't looking to harm you because they're homeless in that state ... They will engorge a lot of resources and honey, for example, and have full bellies, which then creates a lethargic state of mind.
"They use these resources to build their new home when they do find one."
Fraser said that can take anywhere from a few hours to three days.
"If they do find something suitable, then they will take off in a big cloud of bees and and go to that new location," he said.

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