April 23, 2013

Birds and the Bees

The birds and the bees of Bbird!

Earlier this week we noticed that a feral bee hive had formed near our office on Palm Ave. Our office neighborhood is in a urban setting near the freeway which is not ideal for a healthy hive. We had experience with incorporating hives into residential gardens and were aware of the need for hives throughout the community. In some of our sustainable projects, hives have played an integral role in site biodynamics – one third of all food grown is dependent upon pollination by bees. We got in touch with Sweet Start – Santa Barbara Bee Keepers Association and they came to the rescue helping relocate the hive to an area in need.

Birds and the Bees

Birds and the Bees
Their first step was to smoke the hive to clear the bees from the combs.

 

Birds and the Bees
Next the combs were carefully cut from the branch.

 

Birds and the Bees
The combs were then placed into wood frames and set into a box which will serve as their temporary hive.

 

Birds and the Bees
The temporary hive is then placed back in the area in which the comb had originally formed and left for several hours to give the bees time to return to their new hive. At the end of the day the hive is taken to SB Bee Keepers Association to be placed in a new area.

 

Birds and the Bees

To learn more about Sweet Start and other great programs through the Santa Barbara Bee Keepers Association visit http://www.sbba.org