According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, honeybees must visit about two million flowers to make 0.45 kilograms (one pound) of honey.
However, that’s not sweet news for Tabitha Fielder, who wants city council to enact a beekeeping policy since a neighbour has six hives and she is concerned for her family’s safety.
“I have a family member with severe allergies to insect stings (who requires) an EpiPen (if stung),” Fielder told council by video during its June 15 regular meeting.
Freestanding water sources will attract bees, she continued. Bees will make a path to a water source once they know they don’t have to travel far for it; this has led to bees stinging Fielder, her husband, and her dog several times.
“I have put vinegar into my fountain, which doesn’t do much,” Fielder continued. “Our son cannot even go out in the yard because numerous bees collect there … . We as citizens should not have to feel that we cannot have any pools, fountains or bird water bowls, or not be able to enjoy our yards.”
There are usually many bees in the Fielders’ yard, sometimes buzzing around them as if threatened. Through research, she discovered there could be 10,000 to 60,000 bees per hive. With her neighbour having six hives, this means there could be between 60,000 to 360,000 bees there.
Fielder notes she does not have a problem with beekeeping, but believes regulations are required.
Fielder spoke to a bee specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture, who suggested it’s up to the municipality to enact a bylaw or policy about beekeeping within city limits.
Based on a document from the City of Edmonton about animal licensing, Fielder found that beekeeper applicants must inform their neighbours of their intent. Edmonton also has the discretion to deny the applicant if there is enough pushback.
“… (I) hope that council can take consideration of the severity of a person with severe allergies and stings, as well as any schools, daycares, parks, (or) anyone close to anyone wanting to bee keep,” Fielder added.
This has been the only beekeeping concern that city administration has received, Michelle Sanson, director of planning and development, told council.
City hall surveyed other communities and found none have prohibited beekeeping. There have also been very few complaints about property owners using their properties in this way. City hall has not sent the municipal bylaw officer to inspect these hives, either, since Moose Jaw doesn’t have regulations against it.
City administration does not know how many people keep bees here, she continued. Beekeepers have to register with the province, but the province does not inform the municipality about these people; the province has not shared any information with city hall.
Does the province have regulations on how many hives per square foot are allowed, wondered Coun. Crystal Froese. She discovered through research that Vancouver has such regulations.
The Saskatchewan government stipulates that it is four hives per square foot, said Sanson. However, she doesn’t understand all the regulations since she doesn’t handle this issue.
Instead of voting to receive and file this issue, Coun. Scott McMann thought it would be appropriate to refer this issue back to city administration for a report for further discussion.
“Maybe we just need to have a bit more teeth in the bylaw if we run into situations … ,” he added.
Froese agreed and asked city administration to include how many hives per square foot should be allowed since beekeepers could turn their hobbies into home-based businesses by selling honey.
Council then voted 4-3 to refer the issue back to city administration for a report. Opposed were councillors Dawn Luhning, Chris Warren and Brian Swanson.
The next regular city council meeting is June 29.
