The Hive Whisperer
When an ominous buzzing emanates from your home or yard, it can be difficult to think of what do to. Bee hives can be a scary thing to handle on your own, especially without proper knowledge. What should you do? Do you call an exterminator? Do you move out of your house and leave it to the next tenant? Fortunately, you won’t have to look for new homes anytime soon.
First, a little bit about bees. Honey bees are one of the linchpins in the structure of our ecosystems and our very lives. In fact, bees pollinate 1 in 3 of our bites of food every day. But despite their vital impact on the world, bees everywhere are disappearing. Out of 20,000+ species of bees, 1 in 4 species are at risk of extinction. With honey bees for example, their population has dropped over 60% since 1947. The main threats are habitat loss, climate change, chemical pesticide usage, invasive plant species, and both disease and parasites. So, when a hive makes it’s way into your surroundings, it is vital to remove and relocate the hive in a humane way.
The best way to remove a hive safely and humanely is to call your local beekeeper. One of these talented individuals is Arvin Pierce.
Arvin is an accomplished beekeeper and gentle soul from Waverly, Illinois. He initially started keeping bees in order to save money while improving his diet, but it blossomed into a passion and career. Arvin now holds 30 hives at his home, handles colony removal and relocation, and swarm captures around Illinois, all without using chemicals of any kind. He also travels to schools to educate students on the importance and beauty of bees, even establishing bee hives at some sites. Arvin now holds a position as an adjunct professor at Blackburn College where he passes on his knowledge to beekeepers of the future.
In 2022, the Illinois State Beekeepers Association recognized Arvin with the Beekeeper of the Year award.
Please check out his website, ACbees, for more information and photos here:
Arvin also has a Youtube channel to educate viewers about honeybees. Check out one of his videos here:
How to Help:
Populate your yard or garden with plants native to your area.
Refrain from using chemicals in your gardening process.
Place a bowl of sugar water outside to help thirsty or tired bees. Bowls should have objects within to give the bees a place to land and drink safely.
If you notice a hive in or near your home, please call a beekeeper, as they will humanely remove the hive.
