The following article and photograph appeared in the Evening Post on Saturday 12th Feb
2000.
Click on image to download more detailed copy
The bee-buster had to be called into Thorndon yesterday after swarming bees nearly
caused a traffic accident as motorists swerverd to avoid them.
Beekeeper Frank Lindsay used a cherry picker to remove the writhing mass of bees
from a pohutakawa on Glenmore St, near the Bowen St intersection.
Despite driving off with an estimated 20,000 bees sharing his ute, Mr Lindsay was
only stung twice. The bees were too gorged with honey to present much of a threat he
said.
The bees became a problem as they sought a new home after leaving the hive with
their queen because of overcrowding. Mr Lindsay said the bees were harmless and only
became agressive when defending their hive.
"When swarming, they're very docile" Mr Lindsay said it was unusual
for bees to be swarming at this time of year, when they were usually settling in for
winter. A late summer was likely to be the cause.
Mary Longmore
