Photo by Mr. T in DC

If you’ve got a swarm of bees in your backyard, you’re likely to run. After you’ve found shelter, though, the city’s beekeepers have a simple request: call them. This message went out on various neighborhood listservs today:

It’s Spring, and we beekeepers are really glad of it because it has been a BAD winter for bees nationwide. Many of us have lost many hives, so we could really use your help if you see a swarm of bees which we could catch and give a safe place to live.

If you see a swarm of bees, or even think you might, please call me at (202) 255-4318 or email dcbees at dcbeekeepers dot org and we can get an experienced beekeeper over there quick to help you out. Insecticides truly will not take care of your situation, but we can.

If you watch the news, you will probably soon hear about record losses of bees nationwide. We think all sorts of things factor into it, including climate change, monocultural agriculture (with attendant pesticides), a resurgent pest population, and a difficult summer last year. Many of us have lost our bees, too, even though we are trying to build naturally resistant colonies and treat our bees as treasures, not commodities.

Please remember: honeybees are under extreme threat, and those swarms represent the unique populations that have not only figured out how to survive pests, pesticides, and climate change, but THRIVE. We beekeepers can grab those bees, give them safe homes somewhere else, and help ensure a healthier future where honeybees can continue to make our food supply and green spaces grow. It is a kind of compliment to DC that we have a place where honeybees and people can collaborate so well.

Late last the D.C. Council passed a bill that makes beekeeping within city limits a bit easier. Last year we chatted with the godfather of local beekeeping.