This is rather old news by now but our niece’s hive, all tucked up for winter, fell victim to vandalism last mid-December. At first we were too shocked and sorrowful to record it here; then too busy and distracted; then simply remaining at a loss for words. But here it is written at last. The stack of hive bodies was knocked over in the night, presumably by the angry, shouty, possibly drunk or drugged individual heard noisily passing through the area. The next morning some dead bees were found clinging to the frames but most had gone away. She reassembled the hive in the slim hope that they would return but that did not happen. Heartsick as she is, she is looking forward to starting again. We can not resist the inaccurate joke that she has been bitten by the bug. And there is, at least, honey to harvest. |
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2015 January 08
Vandals
Posted by theprospectofbees under Uncategorized | Tags: beekeeping, vandalism |[12] Comments
2015 January 08 at 13:03
So sorry to hear, what terrible news. Condolences to your niece.
It is bitterly cold in Virginia today (at least for us), under 10F this morning. I can’t help but think of bees everywhere shivering in their combs. May all your clusters be warm and dry.
2015 January 08 at 14:39
Thank you. A dead hive is always tragic but to lose one this senselessly is especially upsetting.
We are in the single Fahrenheit digits either side of zero here in Michigan. We tried to use our non-contact infrared thermometer on the hives this morning to look for the reassuring higher temperature where the cluster is but readings were unreliable, probably due to low battery. So we just hope and will try to check again later. With fresh batteries.
Hope your girls are keeping cozy.
2015 January 08 at 16:07
A despicable and pointless act. Hope that they got a few stings as a reward. Glad to hear your niece will be starting again after this setback, I’m sure her enthusiasm means she will be a brilliant beekeeper.
2015 January 08 at 17:49
Thank you. Our dear niece is too kind-hearted to wish so but we like to think that the girls gave shouty-crackers good cause to shout.
2015 January 09 at 02:12
I dread something like this ever happening. It is too awful. Thanks for posting about it though, it’s important to know about bee vandalism and remind us to be vigilant how we keep our apiaries. Good luck to your niece starting over, she sounds like a natural beekeeper.
2015 January 09 at 16:58
Thank you. She is not easily put off by difficulties.
2015 January 09 at 08:59
That’s so sad – I do hope she gets her bees going again and gets over this terrible incident.
2015 January 09 at 16:59
She is certainly planning on trying again. With two hives rather than just one.
2015 January 09 at 19:44
How absolutely horrible– the destruction of a civilization. 😦 I am so very sorry. 😦
2015 January 13 at 13:48
Thank you. Beekeepers and non-beekeepers alike have felt ill on hearing of this destruction.
2015 January 21 at 21:12
I do understand being robbed by skunks and raccoons, even bears, since it’s in their job description. They need something to eat when food is hard to find. But, another human who was supposed to have something called a ‘brain’ up there is beyond comprehension. Proof positive that sentience isn’t conferred upon humans equally.
I’m so sorry.
2015 January 23 at 13:55
Thank you. No way to know what the vandal’s brain was thinking at the time or how well.