Frequently Asked Questions

There are a lot of facts and titbits the public does not know about bees. Most of the time, the only instance when someone comes across honey bees it involves being stung accidentally. This happens and always will. Little known is the fact that without bees, there would be very little sources of food on the planet.

Whenever we go on a bee removal or talk to people about bees there are a set of questions that generally get asked. Here are most of them… If you have any more questions not listed here email me and I will try to answer it.

What Do I Do If I Get Stung?

i. Be sure not to pinch the sting, use a blade, credit card or something flat to get at the base of the sting and against the skin to remove it.

ii. Rub bicarbonate soda and water on the sting afterwards.

iii. If you get stung on the hand or arm, remove any jewellery like rings and watches and bangles so that if you swell up – even if you aren’t hyperallergic you will swell – that the body part doesn’t have blood flow cut off from the jewellery.

iv. Drink lots of water and check you are breathing alright

v. Anaphylactic shock can occur which then means you should seek advice from a doctor or clinic urgently as you struggle with breathing and if you are hyperallergic you need an epi-pen from the hospital.

Apart From Honey, Are Bees Useful?

Yes very, the pollination benefit of bees is calculated to help the economy by millions of pounds per annum. Certain crops yield up to 25-40% more if efficiently pollinated and farmers in some areas of the world and in South Africa, pay beekeepers to put hives into their fields and orchards. In the USA alone bees pollinate about ten billion dollars worth of crops per year (1997).

In addition to pollination, bees produce wax for candles and Royal Jelly. During the middle Ages one of the most important jobs in an Abbey was the Beekeeper, as a huge quantity of wax was constantly required for the ceremonial candles.

A Beekeeper Uses Smoke To ‘Calm’ The Bees, How Does This Work?

Bees are woodland insects and evolution has taught them to fear fire more than anything else. When smoke enters a hive the bees are immediately diverted to eat as much honey as possible as there may be a need to abandon the hive at a moment’s notice. This diverts them whilst the beekeeper takes their home apart.

Is Beekeeping Hard Work?

Yes. At first, it is tough. It is why we provide bee courses to help people start beekeeping. Work grows with the increase of hives and colonies you keep in your apiary as a hobbyist with at least an hour per hive per month.

Work as a more serious beekeeper will require at least 1 hour per hive per week on average. Commercial beekeepers find themselves working on beekeeping – not only bees and hives – but all the processes involved as largely a full-time profession and career.

We help people interested in becoming all of these in their beekeeping journeys!

What Do I Do If I See A Swarm Of Bees?

Don’t Panic, bees in a swarm are universally in a good mood. They cannot easily sting even if antagonised as they have gorged themselves with honey and cannot get their bodies into the best position to sting.

If the swarm is not causing a nuisance then leave it, gradually the bees will cluster in a bush or tree and remain there for up to 3 days. During that time scouts will be sent out to look for a new home, the only problem maybe they will choose your chimney so put your fire/ heating on low and enjoy their visit.

If the swarm is a nuisance then the police usually keep a list of local beekeepers that can help.

Honey Bees inside a Wall/Roof How Can I Remove them Humanely?

This is a question that comes up from time to time and here is a typical reply that I have given.

The bees can not be removed without gaining physical access to them and making them swarm (even if you could) would not get rid of them only reduce their numbers transiently. They will swarm anyway most years, between September-February. Swarms are not normally dangerous only dramatic.

**Do not approach them however**

You have three choices:

1) Remove the floor/ceiling and get a good beekeeper to assist. The amount of hassle does not justify the gain of bees so expect to be charged at least R850 for the assistance of a beekeeper.

2) Live with them they will make good neighbours, so long as the entrance is +2m above ground and the floor and ceiling are good i.e. they cannot bleed into the house. They are not likely to be aggressive if undisturbed by significant vibration and they will keep all their honey well-sealed so you will not get natural leakage.

A gardner, however, may end up being a target when mowing the lawn. So take precaution here.

3) Some pest control companies and people offering bee removal services terminate the colony despite claiming to safely and humanely removing and relocating the colony from your space. Report anybody that does this. Likely, their quoted price is a lot less than someone who would actually remove bees properly and keep them alive

Please be aware that they will react to grass and trees being cut or mowed in the summer heat

How Much Will It Cost Me To Keep Bees?

Remove the beehive and queen excluder for R1295… All included from R4650 price with bee suit, gloves, smoker and all with 2x hives.

Will I Get Stung If I Keep Bees

Yes. A few people are allergic, but most will swell for a short time and then gradually become more immune. Make sure you carry anti-histamine tablets with you (R100 for 20).

Whenever you work with bees, remove any rings and watches around your hands/wrists. Get advice from your doctor before working with bees for the first time to check allergy level.