Swarm Sisters
FERAL SWARM REMOVAL
Each case of feral swarm removal from homes, trees and buildings is unique and must be assessed on a case by case basis. Bees are valuable pollinators and every effort should be made to relocate the colony, if possible, with destruction of the colony only applied as a last resort. That being said, many beekeepers are not interested in the removal of feral honeybees. Removal is a complex and time consuming job with a low survival rate of the rescued colony while in Ontario domestic colonies can be readily purchased. This is why it is often difficult to find beekeepers willing to remove a feral swarm. The Swarm Sisters provide this service because of their dedication to the bees and their desire to limit pesticide use in our environment.
REMOVAL: The best time to remove a colony is in late winter and early spring when the volume of bees is at its lowest. When deciding whether or not to remove honey bees you should consider, are people in immediate danger of being stung, how long has the colony been there, can the colony be left alone safely and if it is decided that removal is to be done, what are the options available for consideration.
GENERAL WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Swarm Sisters will furnish any materials, labour, equipment and subcontractors as deemed necessary to complete the job. We will work safely and responsibly to protect property and people in the area.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Whitney Lake - 905-375-5285 lakereflections@outlook.com
Lesley Boileau - 905-372-5232 elbowmarie@gmail.com
Photo credit to Valerie MacDonald
ABOUT THE SWARM
In the spring the queen bee begins laying eggs and the honeybee colony population quickly increases. This growth combined with an environment rich in resources creates overcrowding and activates a natural process of swarming where one half of the bees in a colony will leave to find a new home. This new home might be in a tree, a shed or a wall. When the honeybees move into their new cavity they build wax comb and begin to fill it with nectar, pollen and brood. An average swarm contains between 5,000 & 10,000 bees. A well-established hive will contain 50,000 bees climbing up to 70,000 bees in their peak.
BEES IN YOUR HOUSE
If you discover a honey bee colony in your home, we can help with that!
The swarm sisters may call upon their swarm brother Wayne Patrick to help
