The Bathtub Trap-Out: A Masterclass in Patience and Persistence Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Today’s project in Johannesburg turned a "simple" trap-out into a lengthy lesson on bee psychology and architectural obstacles. We were called to a bathroom where a very well-established colony of African...
The Autumn Abandonment: A Cold-Weather Swarm Rescue Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! It’s April 2025, and Johannesburg has just come off two weeks of solid rain. Unusually for this time of year, we were called to a property where a colony had completely abandoned its...
Seasonal Hive Tracking: Drought, Deluge, and Bee Pirates Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Today’s maintenance session is a special one. We are continuing our multi-season track of a specific hive to see how the African honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) adapts to the volatile South African...
The Ripet Tree Mystery: When a Cutout Turns Into a Trap-Out Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Tonight, we’re out in Ripet facing one of those "unknown" removals. We found a massive, old tree that clearly houses a thriving colony of African honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata),...
Autumn Apiary Check: Preparing for the Johannesburg Winter Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! We’re out at one of our apiary sites today, racing against the typical Johannesburg weather. It’s been raining quite a bit lately, and with more storms forecast for tomorrow, we needed to...
Breaching the Saringa Fortress: A Surgical Tree Cutout Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Tonight, we’re in northern Johannesburg at a property where the gardener has effectively "surrendered" a corner of the garden to a colony of African honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata). They’ve built a formidable...
The Chimney Cap Surprise: A Moonlit Rescue Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Tonight’s mission in the Johannesburg suburbs started with a gardener’s close call. While trimming foliage on a roof, he accidentally disturbed a hidden colony of African honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata). After a daytime...
The Pool Pump Puzzle: Relocating Africa’s Industrious Pollinators Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Tonight, we’re in a quiet Johannesburg suburb to solve a problem that has kept a homeowner away from their pool maintenance for months. A colony of African honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata) has...
The Wardrobe Wonder: A Years-Long Legacy in Johannesburg Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Today we’re inside a quiet Johannesburg home where a thriving colony of African honeybees has ruled undisturbed for years. Their world was hidden behind a bedroom wardrobe, suspended between the wooden...
The High-Voltage Hideout: A Cable Drum Rescue in Midrand Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Tonight, we’re in Midrand near the Gallaga Convention Centre for a removal that perfectly illustrates the adaptability of the African honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata). These bees have chosen a very industrial...