BUSSELTON resident Phil Nicholls has shared photos of two bee colonies which tried to make his Geographe home theirs.
About two weeks ago he noticed a colony of bees taking over a possum box in his backyard when a local colony split and elected a new queen.
Mr Nicholls asked a local beekeeper to relocate the colony which was safely done.
“The beekeeper told me that had to be moved at least six kilometres away to stop them finding their way back to my home,” he said.
Having made a new possum box, Mr Nicholls was amazed to find another new colony of bees establishing itself.
“In 14 years my wife and I have never have this before – we were really surprised,” he said.
“They were absolutely thick and flying all around but they didn’t seem to feel threatened when we were around them.”
Mr Nicholls said he has relocated the hive to the bottom of his garden as they clearly enjoyed being on his property.
“They are now going about their business and seem perfectly happy,” he said.
In Western Australia there are more than 800 species of bees with the beekeeping industry contributing $7 million into the state economy.
The Department of Agriculture and Food website says colonies are stimulated to swarm during spring when warmer weather and an abundance of nectar and pollen provide ideal bee conditions.
It also said colonies are normally docile unless provoked and should be only removed from residential properties by a professional.
For more tips on how to deal with a swarm on your property click here.
