New policy provides criteria to raise honeybees in the city

Honeybee enthusiasts — and anyone concerned about beekeeping in their neighbourhood — should be buzzing with excitement now that the City of Moose Jaw has an updated beekeeping policy.

During its Oct. 5 regular meeting, council voted 6-1 to approve a beekeeping policy that lays out the criteria that apiarists must meet to raise bees in the community. Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.

City administration updated the policy after beekeeper Yens Pederson made several suggestions to improve the document during a previous council meeting. The proposed changes include regular inspections of hives every 10 to 14 days.

The policy will determine where and how many beekeeping operations exist in the city, a council report explained. It provides best practices and guidelines for beekeepers in Moose Jaw, including that hives be kept at a certain height above the ground — 2.4 metres (eight feet) if on a rear deck — and that a 1.8-metre-high barrier be installed to intercept bees’ flight path.

It also mandates apiarists to include water sources to prevent insects from seeking swimming pools, bird baths, ponds, or other water bodies and become a nuisance to area properties.

Residents who raise honeybees will first have to register with the provincial government and then with city hall afterward.

Swarming
While swarming of honeybees is natural, beekeepers should take steps to discourage this action in urban settings, the policy says. Some effective swarm-prevent practices include:

• Avoiding overcrowding of colonies
• Splitting the hive
• Ensuring adequate ventilation in the hive
• Taking immediate steps to collect a swarm if one is seen

All beekeepers shall adhere to good management and farming practices, while also maintaining bees in such a condition to prevent swarming, aggressive behaviours and disease, the policy says. Beekeepers must notify a provincial apiculturist of any disease and take steps to rectify the problem.

“Urban beekeeping is discouraged before completing a recognized course in beekeeping and/or seeking membership in a local bee club,” the policy pointed out.

The policy also states that there should be no more than two hives kept on a property that is less than 550 square metres (5,920 square feet) in size, while no more than four hives should be on a property larger than 550 square metres (5,920 square feet) in size within the city.

The next regular council meeting is Monday, Oct. 19.