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HONEY BEES KILLED Ashland honey bee swarm apparently stolen, vandalized Beekeeper trying to relocate hive found frames missing, some bees dead Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 4:50 PM Updated Apr 5, 2016 at 5:38 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 4:50 PM Updated Apr 5, 2016 at 5:38 PM » Social News ASHLAND — A honey bee swarm captured for relocation Monday evening by the Southern Oregon Beekeepers Association was apparently stolen later that night, and bees remaining at the site Tuesday appeared to have been sprayed with an insecticide. Beekeeper Rafael Aragon of Medford was able to get most of the bees into a "nucleus box" Monday at the site just across from KS Wild’s office at 3185 E. Main St. Members of the environmental group notified the beekeepers when they spotted the swarm on the side of a utility trailer. “I noticed hundreds of bees lying around. It’s not normal unless they have been sprayed,” said Aragon, when he returned Tuesday morning. When he opened the box, he discovered the five frames within it, on which the bees had converged, were missing. Bees typically swarm when a colony becomes too crowded. The hive of origin was probably within 150 to 300 yards of the swarm, said Aragon. The queen would have been heavy with eggs and unlikely to travel far, he said. The swarm was estimated to extend about 2½ feet down the side of the trailer. The box was left atop the trailer Monday evening so remaining bees could find their way back to the swarm. When Aragon returned Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., he discovered the theft and vandalism. Ashland police officer Lisa Evans went to the scene Tuesday morning, but a call for comment on how the department will proceed was not immediately returned. Aragon said he was certain he had gotten the queen into the box Monday evening. Bees outside the box were pointing their rear ends up to spread the queen’s pheromone and attract more members to the new location. An estimated six or seven pounds of the Italian and Carniolan bees were clinging to the frames Monday evening, Aragon said. Commercial sales of bees are assumed to have about 10,000 bees per three pounds. Monday’s effort was Aragon’s first bee capture of the year. Last year he captured one swarm and was involved with extractions from two trees and one building, he said. A sample of the dead bees will be sent to Oregon State University so the type of insecticide used can be determined. Aragon said he responded to the swarm minutes after he learned about it Monday afternoon. SOBA provides swarm capture as one of its services. SOBA members regularly monitor its website, www.southernoregonbeekeepers.org , to learn about swarms, said group secretary Ellen Wright. A form on the website is the best way to request removal, but the group also checks its phone, 541-862-1604. “(Swarms) stay for anywhere from an hour or two to three days. They are looking for a home," said Wright. “We have about 40 people all over the valley available to come out and help. Because it is so time-sensitive, we have to be right there.” Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 5, 2016 at 4:50 PM Updated Apr 5, 2016 at 5:38 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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