Help! Bees!

HELP! I have a swarm of bees in my yard, house, garage!

If you have wasps or non-honey bees, you are responsible for removing them and arranging for an exterminator. If you have honey bees, here are the steps you should take:

1. Identify the type of bee – the Regina & District Bee Club has a great identification tool on their website. Here’s the link: http://www.reginabeeclub.ca/index.php/bees/types-of-bees There’s a quick-pic sampling for you to start above; you can also find identification tools via an internet search.
2. If you have honey bees, then you can try contacting your region’s bee club. They may have someone willing and able to remove and rescue the honey bees:
   1. Saskatoon Bee Club: Use the club’s “Contact Us” page on their website: http://www.saskatoonbeeclub.com/contact.html
   2. Regina & District Bee Club: Contact the club’s President, Yens Pedersen at 306-540-3111 or email them at ilovebees@reginabeeclub.ca
3. If you live within the City of Saskatoon, you can contact the City Parks Division at (306) 975-3300.  The City of Saskatoon works with local beekeepers to secure swarms that are not inside a building within the city limits. If bees have moved into a building, the City recommends that you call an exterminator.

Please note that a bee swarm (a colony that has left its original hive) is a very large mass of bees congregating on a tree, fence, etc. If you have bees entering a leaving an enclosed space or you can see the nest, then you have a nest of bees on your property. If you see any number of bees flying and feeding, you don’t have a swarm – you have a number of bees visiting your yard to feed on your yummy apple blossoms (or whatever flower is in bloom). They will leave your yard and take the pollen or nectar back to their hive, and will have pollinated your “crop”.

If you do have either a swarm or a nest, the bees are honey bees and you cannot find someone to relocate the bees (or if the bees are not honey bees) and you cannot find a way to convince the bees to evacuate the location, you will have to make arrangements to have them exterminated, especially if they pose a health or safety concern. If you have more questions, contact the Provincial Apiculturist, Geoff Wilson – Geoff.Wilson@gov.sk.ca or (306) 953-2304.