Thousands of ‘robber bees’ invade B.C. apiarist’s shop in attempted honey heist

A beekeeper in Terrace, B.C., had a terrifying experience recently when her shop was invaded by “thousands and thousands of bees” on a mission to steal honey. Christine McDonald, owner of Rushing River Apiaries, described the incident as a robbery attempt by desperate “robber bees” looking for food as resources dwindle in late summer.

Despite her years of experience working with bees, McDonald was frightened by the sheer number of bees swarming her shop. She quickly took action to protect her honey and equipment by covering them with tarps and lids. To trap the invading bees, McDonald sacrificed her bathroom by leaving the light on to attract and collect them before releasing them.

It took several days for the bees to finally stop trying to return to the shop. McDonald has since taped up the door to prevent any future invasions. While she has dealt with robber bees targeting her beehives before, this was the first time they had found their way into her indoor shop.

Robber bees are a common occurrence in late summer and early fall when food resources are scarce. Alison McAfee, a honeybee scientist at the University of B.C., explained that forager colonies may invade weaker colonies to steal their food when resources are limited.

McDonald has resumed honey production after the cleanup and noted that the bees seem more desperate this year, possibly due to prolonged heat. She advised other beekeepers to keep their hives well-fed to prevent them from resorting to robbing other colonies.

Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges beekeepers face in protecting their hives and resources from natural threats like robber bees. With proper precautions and care, beekeepers can help their colonies thrive and avoid such confrontations in the future.