Thousands of honey bees have clung to a side of a garage in a St. Albert neighbourhood. The homeowner says bees have always been attracted to her garage, but she can't figure out why.
The bees gathered late Monday just before storms rolled through the region.
"About a month ago they were swarming in great big swarms and alarmed the neighbours a lot," said Maureen Jackson.
But this homeowner doesn't appear to be alarmed at the sight of so many bees.
"It doesn't seem to bother me and I found out they were honey bees and they haven't done anything wrong to me, but I suppose they could be harmful."
Neighbours have gathered to get a closer view of the honey bees.
"It's a novelty in the suburbs where a lot of the time nothing seems to happen…it's just out of the ordinary," said resident, Scott Beaty.
Beekeeper Tony Rafaat says a swarm or queen bee cell happens when the weather forced the bees inside the hive for a long period of time. The bees essentially run out of room and some need to leave.
"They begin the development of an alternate queen and when she's ready to go she will take half the colony with her," said Rafaat.
And during their search, they can stop on a garage like Maureen's.
"They'll surround the queen and they'll protect her and then they'll send scouts out and look for alternate spots or good spots to create a colony."
Maureen may have her own plan to keep the bees hanging around.
"I could put some boxes up there and have my own honey, so who knows? Maybe that could happen."
Rafaat says 80 per cent of the swarm will die of starvation while they are looking for a new place to create the colony.
Bees shouldn't stay longer than 24 hours. If pest control is called and they determine they are honey bees, they will not exterminate them unless they pose a threat at that point.
For more information visit the website of Alberta Bee Keepers by clicking here.
