A significant incident unfolded in Methven recently, as local resident Jane Deans found herself confined to her home due to a swarm of bees gathering outside. According to reports from The Courier, Deans has cared for a colony of bees residing under her roof for over 40 years. However, on Tuesday afternoon, the bees took to the air in considerable numbers, prompting concerns and a need for intervention.
Deans, who operates a bath and body products business called Barefoot Bubbles, noted that the bees may have swarmed as their hive expanded beyond its capacity. Estimates suggest that around 30,000 to 40,000 bees were moving in search of a new colony site. "I had fully intended spending the afternoon in the workshop today. However, bees happened and it’s taken up most of the afternoon one way or another," she remarked.
The 50-year-old has always appreciated the presence of the bees, incorporating honey and beeswax into her products. She explained that the bees had lived peacefully under the tiles of her roof for decades without causing any harm, which contributed to her decision to allow them to stay. "We’ve never considered doing anything about them because they’ve never been any bother, and because we need bees," she said.
However, the situation became problematic when the bees decided to relocate, choosing to nest underneath the tiles situated between her daughters' bedroom windows. This prompted Deans to seek assistance from a beekeeper to evaluate the viability of moving the bees. Yet, she expressed apprehension over the prospect of involving pest control. "If he can’t move them, then for the safety of the girls, we will have to get pest control out to exterminate, which I really don’t want to do – they’re such fascinating and necessary wee creatures," she stated.
The swarm temporarily confined her to her home for approximately half an hour. Deans observed that despite their long-standing presence, the bees had recently shown signs of looking for a new location, indicating that they were possibly outgrowing their hive. "I’ve seen a number of bees the last few days, looking at the tiles on the front of the house, and I thought they were looking to move," she mentioned.
Moreover, Deans expressed concerns about the health of the hive. She noted the presence of young bees with deformed wings falling from the roof, which could signify disease within the colony. "It’s looking like we might not be able to save them," she added, reflecting on the potential necessity of extermination.
As the situation unfolds, Deans remains hopeful yet realistic about the chances of preserving the bees she has cohabited with for so long.
Source: Noah Wire Services