Honeybee Swarming

By Emma Murphy (Special Thanks to Glenn Roberts)

Why Are Honeybees Important? Honeybees Apis mellifera) are of great value to the ecosystem and to people alike and are thus protected by the government. Bees pollinate trees, small fruits, legumes and other vegetables as well as make delicious honey! Therefore it is important care is taken when bees are active for their safety and our own.

In the late spring and early summer honeybees begin to seek out new locations for a hive or colony. This activity is called "swarming". The bees within the original colony are being driven by various environmental factors. Searcher bees are sent out to look for a suitable new home, and once one is found preparations are made to move the colony. The relocation process is complex, but happens within a relatively short period of time. The Queen increases the number of eggs she lays to up to 2000 per day and after a few weeks of brood rearing the population within the hive explodes. This population explosion prepares for the hive for 50-90% of the swarm to consist of young bees.

Due to the number of bees feeding within the hive the Queen, who is usually too large to fly, is now being prepared to leave the hive. The colony prepares its Queen for flight by keeping her moving around the hive. At this point the searcher bees are sent out and then return and communicate their findings using a "wag-tail" dance, which will indicate the direction and distance of the potential new home. This dance may be fairly intense lasting a few hours to a few days, indicating the suitability of the new hive location Once a site has been found, the Queen prepares the colony to move by "piping" or "tooting". The bees have a feed of honey before they leave the hive. A "whir dance" excites the millions of bees within the hive to take flight, and swarm. The colony will cluster on a nearby tree awaiting the final decision. If a suitable site cannot be determined the bees will nest at the settling site. Once nesting begins combs are made within a few hours and a new brood cycle begins within a few days.

A swarming colony is a very strong colony,which is desirable to a beekeeper. Swarming colonies will yield a lot of honey, and many keepers will remove a swarming colony for free. However, the removal must occur the same day as the initial swarm as the colony may not stick around or settle in the area. If you have seen the swarming activity for more than a day or so, the honeybees have found a nesting site, and will be beginning to populate the new hive. If you suspect that your home is being invaded be sure to call a Pest Management Professional. When swarming has ceased, or if bees have an established nest within or in close proximity to your home the Pest Management Professional can safely remove the colony and address any structural damage that may be present.

**REMINDER: While bees are less defensive during swarming the potential for a nasty sting is still very real!! Please be careful; never approach a hive unless you are properly trained to do so!

Ways to Combat West Nile Virus

Now that the summer is approaching and mosquito season is upon us, West Nile
Virus is a health concern for people across North America. Follow these simple steps
and you will reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes.

1. Inspect your property for areas where water will collect and stagnate for longer than 5 days. These areas may include birdbaths, eaves troughs, low areas in the ground, unused pools, tires and creases in tarps covering boats, wood etc. Emptying these areas of rainwater once a week will greatly reduce the number or mosquito larvae present in your yard. Mosquitoes are not picky when it comes to their water - clean or dirty they will lay their eggs in it!
2. Wear long sleeves and long pants when going out into heavily wooded areas or are going out at dusk. Clothing will help reduce mosquito bites.
3. Be sure to adequately protect your family with bug repellents that contain DEET (N, N -diethyl-meta-toluamide) when outside for extended periods of time. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ABELL PEST CONTROL OFFICE 1-888-949-4949

Spring is here and our world is headed into a thaw!

By Dusana Bondy, Dipl IPM - Abell Pest Control Inc.

To us it mean's longer days, the start of gardening, walks in the evening and most of all summer is just around the corner. To insects and rodents, this is a time of waking up from a type of hibernation and breeding and feasting on the abundance of food now readily available. With this warmer weather comes the natural movement of these sometimes-pesky creatures to enter our homes and cottages (if they were not there already!). Exclusion and Prevention is the key to controlling these pests and keep them from sharing your space.

Here are a few things to look out for and maintain while spring cleaning this year:

• Exterior doors fitted with door sweeps
• Windows and door screens should be intact and create a seal
• Holes and gaps around pipes or in structure are thoroughly sealed
• Repair structural damage to soffits or facia
• Exhaust covers and vent screens should be present
• Clean eaves to prevent debris from collecting and causing water to sit stagnant
• Keep tree branches and shrubs away from the structure.
• Vegetation close to or touching the house provides runways for rodents and carpenter ants.
• Remove tall grass or heavy vegetation growth around the foundation.
• Eliminate food and garbage spillage present around exterior grounds

So, if you suspect or have had unwanted visitors in the past, make sure to start from the outside, keeping the area around your house "a pest free zone".

More information can be found at www.abellpestcontrol.com. A detailed inspection around your home can be performed by a trained Pest Control Professional to give you tailored advice on keeping pests out of your family's home.