Vigilance for beekeepers

Following ongoing beehive thefts in the Manawatu/Whanganui region this year, beekeeping representatives are urging vigilance and better hive identification.

A media report last week said 375 beehives had been reported stolen between Palmerston North and Whanganui in the past year.

Peter Rogers, vice-chairman of the Manawatu Beekeepers Club, said beekeepers should have their registration number on every hive and an identification number on every frame in a hive.

A hive had about 40 frames.

"If there are hives without a registration number that should set off a warning flag," he said.

"We also recommend our members have their registration number on their vehicles somewhere so, if a farmer sees some one driving around with beehives on the back of a truck or ute, they can immediately identify the vehicle and the hives.

"I've always regarded beekeeping as an activity done by gentlemen with ethics, but just lately we've seen that it is being invaded by people outside the industry and lowering the standards, and money is behind it all. Money has generated a culture of dog eat dog," he said.

Mr Rogers said the high prices paid for manuka honey was the main reason behind the increased thefts.

While there was not a lot of manuka in Horowhenua, hives were still valuable. The value of beehives had at least doubled and were seen as worthwhile stealing, Mr Rogers said.

"People are either stealing for their own use or are selling them on to other beekeepers, mainly for manuka crops," he said.

Manuka only flowered for three or four weeks a year but with the price per kilogram maybe five times higher than clover honey, it was a target, he said.

Mr Rogers encouraged locals who wanted to get into beekeeping to join the Manawatu Beekeepers Club and not go it alone.

With the Varroa disease commonplace beehives were unlikely to survive in the wild, and people needed encouragement and knowledge to do beekeeping properly.

"We are helping to spread the word of sustainable beekeeping."