Limerick Fire Station left buzzing after swarm of surprise visitors
The Mulgrave Street based Limerick Fire and Rescue Service had an unusual visit - a swarm of honeybees
LIMERICK Fire and Rescue Service had an unusual visit this week - a swarm of honeybees was discovered outside their Mulgrave Street premises.
Luckily, one of the station's resident firefighters, Paul Keane, who is an avid beekeeper, was on the scene.
“June is the swarming season for honeybees,” Paul explained of the surprise finding on a tree outside the front door of the fire station.
“All they are doing is resting. They can swarm on walls, trees or even the side of your car.” Without any of his own beekeeping gear, he contacted Seamas Kelly, a fellow beekeeping enthusiast for assistance.
Seamas was straight on the scene, dressed from head to toe in his beekeeper suit and set into action containing the bees.
Placing a large bucket underneath the branch that the swarm were resting on, Seamus began to cut the branch from the tree. It then fell, swarm and all, into Seamas bucket.
“It took no more than 20 seconds, couldn’t get easier than that,” said Paul, of Wednesdays unusual event.
Paul explained that if you were to come across a swarm of bees yourself, the best thing to do is “keep calm, keep pets and children away, and do not spray them with pesticides or water.”
The website swarms.ie has detailed information on what to do if you come across a swarm of bees. It will also connect you with a local beekeeper in your area who can safely remove the bees for you, protecting yourself and the bees.