Rescue at night: 40,000 bees saved from the downfall!

Rescue at night: 40,000 bees saved from the downfall!

LKH Graz, Graz, Österreich - A nightly rescue operation caused a stir in Graz. On the night of Friday, a homeless swarm of bees of around 40,000 bees was saved by a tree on the site of the LKH Graz. An attentive patient of the university clinic for gynecology and obstetrics discovered the bees and made contact with the responsible bodies.

The hospital management reacted quickly and initiated a so -called "rescue chain". Hobby beekeepers Josef Schuster took responsibility for the relocation of bees, which is referred to as "stocking" in specialist circles. "The bees were cooperative and the campaign was successful," said Schuster. He was supported by employees of the company fire brigade, who were on hand with light and a long ladder to work in the dark.

an urgent undertaking

The decision to carry out the operation at night had a good reason: a blocking of the main avenue during the day should be avoided. "Every rescued swarm counts," said Schuster, whose commitment not only results from the joy of beekeeping, but also from the concern for the bee population, which has recently threatened. Last winter, many bee colonies lost through the dreaded Varroa mite.

"The Varroa mite is an insidious parasite that nestles in the brood of the bees and robs their life forces," explains a report on Osthessen-news.de. The beekeeping is under pressure because the loss rates rise and even experienced beekeepers suffer from the consequences. While a third of the bee colonies have not survived the winter in East Hesse, many beekeepers also have to fight for their stocks in Austria.

background of the situation

Schuster suspects that a possible queen change on the stick caused the bees to settle on the tree of the LKH Graz. "In May it often happens that bee colonies share and leave old queens with part of the people." Without a new floor, however, the bees are faced with a considerable risk of survival.

The critical location of the bee populations is also unmistakable in Austria. The Varroa mite has already caused massive losses in many beekeeping this year. Experts have been warning of the spread of this parasite for years and underlining the importance of effective control measures. In Graz, however, it turns out that the use of active bee protectors such as Josef Schuster and collegial support in an emergency play a decisive role in the bees.

The saving action at the LKH Graz is not only a single success, but also a sign of how important it is to strengthen communication between the citizens and the beekeepers in order to save such flocks of bees and support the endangered population