Bee health and population is a growing concern around the world, but Bruce Richardson and Joanne Crockett at Meadowlily Farm and Ontario Bee Rescue are looking to do their part and help educate people on why the bees are so vital to our lives.
“We need bees! Two thirds of our food is pollenated by bees.”
The problem, Richardson believes, is that there is still a misconception that bees are aggressive creatures. Instead of spraying the swarms he encourages people to call the farm and they will come remove and relocate the bees for free.
“What we’ve done now is we’ve tied together about forty bee keepers in Ontario that are willing to do this service for free.”
He carries a box in the back of his truck at all times in preparation for removals. Inside the box is a frame of brewed comb with eggs and babies. Bees communicate by smell, so the scent draws them in when they are looking for a new home.
You can check out videos on how they remove a swarm on their website or Facebook page.
Meadowlily Farm is a place where bees can thrive and create products that have many different uses and benefits.
“Bees are the only insect that make food and it’s not just the honey! The pollen, a lot of people but pollen in their diet, there’s the beeswax. There’s a list on our website of 101 things to do with beeswax”
Uses for Beeswax:
1) To make lip balm
2) For cracked animal hooves
3) To water proof leather
4) Component of mustache creams
5) Used by NASA with an enzyme to mop up oceanic spills
There are also medical benefits. Bees create a sticky substance called propolis “the worlds best antibiotic” according to Richardson, “so now people are coming and buying propolis for cancer treatment.” Beeswax can also relieve pain and swelling, and lower cholesterol, ulcers, and hiccups.
“It’s a matter of us humans learning how to get along with nature.”
If you see a swarm in your area, you can call Meadowlily Farm at (519) 520-0424 and help save the bees.
