I am a beekeeper of about 20 years. I have been living inthe Suburbs of Melbourne for a while now, and miss keeping bees. I do provide swarm and hive removal services more or less as a public service, charging just enough to cover my costs. What disturbs me is, I recently approached my local council about offering these services to and through them. I had previously had an experience where I went to help with a hive in an abandoned chest of drawers, only to find that a council contractor had sprayed what woulkd have been an easily removed hive. In one way, this is good, in that wild hives are often spreaders of disease. (A similar incident was reported in a Queensland newspaper.) I feel however, that given the current world wide bee issues, such action should be more considered. Perhaps it would be better if as much as possible, a beekeeper, and not just an insect exterminator, was to handle all bee related situations. This would mean that at least a visual disease check could be done, and in situations where the bees are removeable, the beekeeper would be able to take the required action.
I would also like to make mention here of a lady in my neighborhood, who upon receiving my card, let me know that she did have a beehive living in the back wall of her house, and that she was quite happy to have it there as it helped to pollinate her vegetable garden. We need more happy pople like her.

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