By Colleen Smith

Interest in beekeeping growing in Saskatchewan

May 17, 2016 | 6:00 AM

Urban beekeeping is growing in popularity around Saskatchewan as more people consider installing a hive to liven up their urban atmosphere and improve the pollination activity in their garden.

According to Simon Lalonde, Director of the Saskatchewan Beekeeper’s Association, the interest in keeping a hive in an urban setting continues to grow each year.

“There’s a huge interest… Whether it’s urban or people wanting to get more than a couple hives, it’s been really good,” he said.

For some, knowing the possibility a hive may be in the next yard over can be frightening at first, but Lalonde says keeping hives in urban areas is one of the best things to do when it comes to the environment.

A single hive of bees can serve pollination activity for up to a three kilometre radius, which can drastically improve the vegetation status of flower and vegetable gardens, farmer’s fields and natural growth, he said. An improved population of bees also helps fight against Colony Collapse Disorder, a disease which causes the insect to waste away.

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Despite the smoke from Fort McMurray this year, Lalonde said the bees are taking it better than last year’s smoke from the La Ronge fires.

“So far nothing major for the bees. The smoke is only bad when their vision is impacted. But the light smoke we’ve had has not affected the bees like last year,” he said.

Currently there is no bylaw in North Battleford prohibiting a person from placing a hive in their backyard. Suzanne Abe, Communications Coordinator for the City of North Battleford said it’s always a good idea to check with friends and neighbours first before getting a hive for the yard.

“We highly recommend – especially with bees – to talk to the neighbours first,” she said. “Talk to your neighbours. You never know; it would be terrible to establish a hive only to have to take it down because it affects the neighbours.”

Abe added research is key. Lalonde recommends one of the Saskatchewan Beekeeping courses offered throughout the province.

“Take some sort of beekeeping course,” Lalonde said. “Internet information is only as good as the people posting it, especially for Saskatchewan because beekeeping is different here than in other regions. Take some of the courses. Join the local bee clubs. This will be where the bulk of your information comes from.”

Colleen.smith@jpbg.ca

Twitter:@ColleenAJSmith