Let’s all go on a bee safari
The October 2011 meeting of the Wairarapa Hobby Beekeepers Club was held at Ros and Derek Broadmore’s home. The topic for the meeting was how to split a hive in order to increase hive numbers.
What some members didn’t realise was that to get to Ros’s hives involved a wee walk from the house, through the orchards, paddocks of “docile looking” young cattle and up a bit of a hill climb, past a fairly “aggressive looking” protective bull. A few members hitched a ride in the car with Ros and the rest of us trekked in our bee suits up the hill to the apiary.
Unfortunately on reaching the apiary, we found that it wasn’t strong enough (not enough bees) to make a split. The hive was stripped down, inspected and then reassembled before we adjourned to the house for a refreshing cup of tea and informal chat about how to split a hive.
Swarms – see photo
The swarming season usually starts in early October as the bees start to increase in numbers and outgrow their existing hive. This is another good way for beekeepers to increase their hive numbers. If any members of the public become aware of a swarm of bees arriving at their property, please don’t try and destroy it or chase it away. After landing, a swarm may stay around for several hours prior to flying off to find a suitable place to establish a new home. Please call one of the club members listed below and we will arrange for one of our members to come and take the swarm away.
Club Contacts
06 308 9101- Neale Braithwaite
06 379 5611– Kent Murrell – kmurrell@paradise.net.nz
06 370 2615 – Rhys Morgan – rmorgan@slingshot.co.nz
