A Buzz in the Swamp
Beehive Removal at Yesler Swamp
We’ve had an exciting week in the Yesler Swamp! One of our horticulturalists at the Center for Urban Horticulture spotted a large group of bees flying around a willow along the Yesler Swamp boardwalk. When we called in a pair of beekeepers, they found that it was an established honeybee hive!
As a public park, we always have to balance creating a safe space for flora and fauna as well as members of the public; in this case, as the nest was close to the trail, we decided that nest removal was the best option to keep boardwalk users safe.
Beekeepers Paul and Pat Perkins, along with grounds staff from the Center for Urban Horticulture, brought all their equipment to the nest site. First, they carefully vacuumed the bees with a low-suction vacuum built for collecting bees humanely; then, they collected the honeycomb and broodcomb and fitted it into frames to put into a standared beehive box. They found the queen bee and secured her into a special cage to keep her safe. Finally, all bees, broodcomb, honeycomb, and queen were moved together to an apiary at a farm in the Snoqualmie Valley; the hive has a great chance to survive and thrive in its new location.
But what would have happened to the nest had we left it in place? Well, the hive would have naturally senesced (died out) on its own when the weather turned wet and cold; in their new location, they have been provided with shelter that will allow the colony to live longer.
A big thanks to Paul and Pat Perkins, as well as Sloane and Kristen from our horticulture staff, for taking care of Yesler Swamp! All photo credits to Sloane Palmer.