Couple Rescue Swarm Bees and Rehouse in City

We know how fragile the earth’s ecosystem is. Pull out one cog in the chain of life, and the system is in danger of complete collapse.

Bees are a classic example. Without their pollination many plant species would die. A local couple, Jess and Luke, are saving swarm bees and putting them on city rooftops and in city gardens.

Ponsonby News interviewed Jessie Baker about their project.

Jessie grew up at Bethell’s Beach and still lives there with her extended family. She and Luke have their rescued bees’ sanctuary at Bethell’s Beach. They feed rescued bees, make sure they are healthy, with no nasty diseases, and a happy queen. Viroa and American Foulbrood are the two major scourges they wish to avoid.

80% of their proceeds go back into helping to rescue more bees by building warm hives and treating the bees for any disease. Their ultimate aim is to have healthy beehives in every urban area in New Zealand.

Jessie and Luke have been going for two years now and have rescued 32 hives. Exterminators call them when a swarm has been found, and if they can get there in time they can save the bees from extermination. Jessie believes it should be illegal to kill bees-all should be rescued and saved.

Bees do well in the city Jessie told me. They produce three times the honey in the city than they do at Bethells. There is less chemical spraying in the city, although I told Jessie about my campaign to stop using carcinogenic glyphosate in the city, and as soon as we can, the whole of New Zealand.

On tops of buildings bees love the early morning sun, and they thrive up to three or so storeys high.

Swarms occur because the worker bees breed a new queen and the old queen takes off from the hive with some thousands of workers to find a new home. Queens can live for about five years, but hives thrive better if replaced every two years.

Bees fly up to 5km for food and they love the flora in central city parks, reserves and gardens. They don’t sting as much as some people think. It is only when they think they are in danger.

“Bees are responsible for one third of the world’s food because of the awesome pollinating job they do,” Jessie says. “Bees need our help and we need theirs.”

Those who have hives from BEES UP TOP, Jessie’s company name, receive up to 7kg of honey per year. A lovely sunrise business right here in our back yard. It deserves our support. (JOHN ELLIOTT)

Jessie has local pure honey for sale - you can call her on 021 203 3612, or email her on jessiejanebaker@gmail.com

Photography: Joel McDowell