What’s the buzz? The bees are back at BU

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This article was published 13/05/2024 (743 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Four beehives returned to Brandon University’s campus on Saturday and were lifted with a boom to the roof of the Knowles Douglas Centre, commonly referred to as the BUSU Building.

The beehives, brought back to the university from Wawanesa, were escorted by Mike Clark of Clark Apiaries located at Treesbank Ferry.

University’s Bee-U project coordinator Deanna Smid said Clark’s expertise in apiary management has been instrumental in the success of the project, adding Clark brings the bees from his farm in Treesbank and in late summer or fall, they’re returned to his farm.

“This marks our third summer of having bees at the university,” Smid told the Sun in an interview. “We’ve had great success so far, with our bees surviving the winter and thriving as they forage around flowers and greenery on campus.”

In 2022 summer, Smid said, the project started with two hives and had unexpectedly high honey production, adding they split the two hives into four and still had excellent production. This year, it is beginning with four strong hives, and with spring just starting, she said it anticipates even greater honey production.

“Last year’s harvest was around 200 kilograms, which will soon be available for sale. With our bees maturing and our increased hive numbers, we’re hopeful for a substantial increase, reaching 500 kilograms this year,” she said.

As for determining the readiness of the bees to produce honey, Smid said, “The bees remain in their hives, and we simply move the hives between Brandon and Treesbank as needed.”

The return of the beehives to Brandon University signifies not only the continuation of a successful beekeeping endeavour but also a commitment to environmental stewardship and fostering a biodiverse campus ecosystem,” she said.

Regarding safety, Smid had told the Sun in an old interview that the placement of the hives on the roof would serve as a deterrent to people getting too close.

“That’s where the greatest risk of bee stings occurs, right near the hive,” Smid said. Overall, the bees are expected to travel only within a five-kilometre radius of the hives.

The beekeeper working with the university is from a family with more than 100 years of experience with insects and will work to discourage aggressiveness.

Brandon City Council approved a beekeeping operation on the roof of Brandon University’s Harvest Hall after a public hearing on June 6, 2022.

“If it sounds creative, it’s because it is,” said Ryan Nickel, the city’s director of planning. “The city has no rules for urban beekeeping.”

He said the idea is worthy of investigation to see if it works, and it could have further benefits going forward to establish beehives for research and urban agriculture projects.

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