Removing Swarms With the Greatest Amount of Care
Bee Swarms Occur in South Africa From September to February
Bees swarm for various reasons, most particularly when their hive has been tampered with or where there is a lack of food in the area. In South Africa, they automatically swarm from September through to February when the hive splits and they search for a new home. Sometimes, it is in your home. The main objective of bee removals is to remove migratory and feral swarms professionally and humanely from areas that are bothersome or potentially dangerous to humans and animals.
We are a Registered Beekeeper with DALRRD
Registration
In terms of the Agricultural Pests Act any person who keeps bees or deals with bees in any way is required by law to be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, (formally DAFF), now DALRRD.
We are a Registered Beekeeper with DALRRD and our registration no is GP219. This registration ensures that we abide by their Control Measures.
Safely Lure Bees Out
We undertake to remove swarms humanely and with the greatest amount of care. Some locations make it difficult to remove or even to engage, for example, under trees, inside walls, etc. In these instances, we lure the bees out and provide a catch box nearby for them to relocate and later translocate into a proper beehive.
Avoid Delaying The Bee Removal
We recommend that swarms be removed as soon as they are discovered before they have had an opportunity to settle and become protective of their comfortable surroundings.
We Charge a Fee to Remove Bees
So often we are told that “I am giving you the bees, why should I have to pay for bee removals?” Why is the request made in the first place? The reason that the person is asking for the bees to be removed is that he/she does not have the expertise to do so themselves. We strive to save every swarm removed, but to do so there are costs involved.
Specific Skills Are Required to Remove Bees
There are specific skills required when removing a swarm as well as the danger factor. Bees are extremely dangerous when tampered with and someone who has no experience should never try and remove or disrupt a swarm of bees. The lack of knowledge and expertise can lead to fatal consequences for other people close by and animals.
Removals Can Take 1 Hour or More
Removing unwanted swarms can take anything from 1 hour upwards. Once started we cannot just leave as we must ensure that the environment is safe for everyone. Not only is it time-consuming but we have our expenses such as traveling costs, equipment, and consumables to perform the removal. Each removal varies and we must ensure that we are well equipped beforehand.
Bees Are Transferred to a Safe Hive
Once the swarm is relocated in a catch box (around R650), they need to be transferred into a more permanent hive box (over R1000 excluding supers and a stand) to ensure that they are safe, happy, and comfortable and can be safely managed on an ongoing basis
Bees Are Removed With Care For Your Safety
Bee Removal Fees
- Bee Removal Fees vary depending on distance, difficulty, consumables used, and the number of trips required to complete the job. We do not repair any damage caused, like ceilings, roofs, airbricks, etc., when it is necessary to remove, break out, or cut. Repairs are the responsibility of the client. These costs can be claimed from your insurance if the company covers bee removals.
- No two removals are the same. Some are easy and quick, such as a swarm arriving and hanging in a tree or a new small colony that has made their nest under the lid of an irrigation box. These can be shaken and tapped into a catch box and removed immediately
- The more complex removals as mentioned earlier, are the swarms that have settled for a long time and are well established. Some are accessible and some are not. Some colonies are high up on rooves, chimneys, or trees, and there is a danger for the bee remover if appropriate equipment and safety measures are not in place.
100% Organic Bee Products
Our honey is taken directly from the hive, triple-strained to remove any impurities without removing pollen, minerals, or enzymes. It has not been heated during the process.