West Ryde Library and its after-hours chutes are closed until further notice for essential safety repairs following a water leak from a nearby property. Our other libraries are still open.
Bees play an important role as pollinators of crops and many wild flowers. Managed bee hives also produce honey for human consumption. Bees are armed with a barbed sting and defend their hive aggressively. Most stings cause intense local pain and swelling. However, if a person is allergic to bee venom, a sting may cause a severe allergic reaction requiring urgent medical attention. Overcrowding in a hive may prompt the bees to swarm and search for a new site to establish a colony. This usually occurs between September and December, when the weather becomes warmer. Swarming bees will cluster on a bush or other object while scouts search for a permanent nesting site. Swarming bees are not usually inclined to sting, provided they are left alone. Dealing with bee swarms:
To locate a licensed beekeeper in your area contact the Amateur Beekeepers Association.
If a swarm has moved into a wall cavity or other inaccessible place you will need to arrange for a licensed pest controller to destroy the bees. Licensed pest controllers are listed in the Yellow Pages under Pest Control.