Aviemore public bench proves popular resting place for swarm of homeless honey bees

As they helped remove the latest swarm from a public bench in Aviemore, local beekeepers have assured the public that there is no threat from the insects despite how things may sometimes look.

The alarm went up yesterday after a swarm had formed on the leg of a popular public bench.

“There is a huge swarm of honey bees that have found a home on the side of a bench at Railway Terrace beside the green. Careful as you approach as they have been flying around.”

As she posted her timely warning, Jocasta Mann suggested: “They could do with being given a nice home, perhaps not so close to a public path any suggestions appreciated!”

Jennifer Lobban, of Speyside Beekeepers Association and colleagues were soon in action seeing to the removal of the swarm.

“The bees have been collected and they’re safe,” she told the Strathy. “It’s been very busy with swarms and some are not honeybees!”

The man who stepped in yesterday was the association’s own Les Andean from Aviemore. He said: “It’s the time of year. Colonies have built up after the winter period and they are generally looking for new homes.

“They are not a threat to people and folk can gently put their hands into a swarm and not be stung, but it’s not actually something I would do.

“As far as moving them on is concerned the trick is to find the queen, which I did yesterday, and the others will happily follow. I managed to move the bees into my box, which had some combs in it, and take them back to my place where they have settled.

Bee swarming is a natural event: 'They are just looking for a new home'.

“Obviously it was the best thing to remove them from a public bench, which is not the ideal place.

“It’s been a busy time, with lots of swarms forming but they just need help sometimes finding a new base.”

The British Beekeepers Association issue regular advice to the public and are again pointing out that the phenomenon is a natural occurrence in late spring and summer.

Locally the association now has more than 40 members and it’s known that there are other independent beekeepers all concerned with helping the insects to survive the current difficulties facing the many species due to disease, climate change and a range of other factors which threaten their colonies.

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