Ian Cumming

From FB 😢 Post from a Beekeeper 🐝 “Its late, and maybe in the morning I'll delete this post, but I've just got home and for now I need to write this down. Earlier this evening I received a message from a home owner to say they had a swarm of bees in their hedge, but they were worried about them because children had been throwing water at them. By the time my fellow beekeeper and I arrived, what had been a beautiful prime swarm was reduced to a few hundred drenched bees, huddling limply around their queen. I've already deleted the photos of the puddles of water, the dripping wet hedge, and the many, many dead and dying bees that hadn't been able to escape the attack; sharing those pictures serves no purpose. We gently placed the bees that had survived into a collection box, and hopefully tomorrow, when they've had chance to dry out and settle, we'll check on them and if necessary feed them; they'll be exhausted and possibly (understandably) defensive. They've been through a lot. Please, please, help me to educate your children, your grandchildren, your neices and nephews, your neighbours, your colleagues and your friends that a swarm of bees isn't dangerous - they're amazing creatures that are just looking for a new home. Please don't let anyone harm them. Just call a beekeeper who will gladly rehome them. Please help me to spread this message and hopefully save any more bees from being unnecessarily harmed” 😢 Sad and unhappy Beekeeper