A non-native honeybee colony was safely relocated to Neubauer Farms where it will become part of the Prairie Rose Public Schools honey program. A team of beekeepers is seen removing the hive from a tree near Medalta.--HANDOUT PHOTO
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Some buzz-worthy news is spreading on social media after beekeepers and a local arborist were able to safely relocate a hive of non-native honey bees located near Medalta to the apiary located at Neubauer Farms.
After the discovery of the beehive by a resident in a natural park space near the I-XL brick plant, Stella Sehn and Sheldon Hill, owners of Sweet Pure Honey in Medicine Hat, teamed up with Dustin Helle and Poplar Mechanics Tree Services Ltd. to safety relocate the queen and hive before colder weather settles in.
A video posted on the City of Medicine Hat social media pages shows the team, dressed in full beekeeper suits, using smoke to calm the bees on the side of a tree before methodically removing several combs of hexagonal wax from the hive covered with dripping honey.
According to reports, the team was able to locate the queen and removed the hive from the natural areas, and have safely relocated the colony to the apiary at Neubauer Farms where they will become part of the Prairie Rose Public Schools’ educational honey program.
“We’re pleased to know these bees will support the agricultural education of southeastern Alberta students while allowing native pollinators in our own community to thrive,” reads the post.
Hill also recently partnered with Medicine Hat College to expand his research on redesigning the current structure of bee hives in an effort to increase yields and improve living conditions for bees.
Over the summer months, Hill worked with students to reassess current designs, most of the research was conducted at Neubauer Farms.
According to Hill in October, his design was able to increase brook by 40 per cent and honey flow by 70 per cent.
Moving forward, Hill says he hopes to continue his research exploring other innovations in beekeeping equipment and practices that could benefit the industry.
