Hundreds of thousands of bees are dead after what an apparent pair of poison attacks on nearly 180 honey-producing hives near Brandon.
The bee deaths reportedly happened sometime between Aug. 14 and Sept. 3 at two separate locations in the RM of Elton, about 10 kilometres and 18 kilometres northwest of Brandon.
“It’s just very suspicious and I don’t believe they would have died on their own, especially when they are miles apart,” said Cpl. Mike Boychuk from Brandon RCMP.
RCMP say it appears that sometime between Aug. 14 and Sept. 3 someone poisoned several hives in the RM of Elton.
Loewen Honey Farms out of Steinbach manages the bee boxes.
The manager thinks a competitor targeted his hives.
“There were threats made from a beekeeper in that area of burning hives. So, I guess he thought poisoning them was, not such a suspicious way, I guess,” said Jason Loewen.
Loewen said if it were pesticide sprayed in the area, it would have affected bees in other nearby hives.
Loewen said tests of crystallized residue found on the boxes will determine what killed the bees.
The company estimates the loss of honey sales and cost of replacing bees totals $40,000
Anyone with information is asked to contact Brandon RCMP at (204) 726-7522 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Agencies/Canadajournal
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That is the most disgusting thing I have read for a while….if thiswas a competitor then they should have all their bees ttaken away as.restitution and banned.from being in the bee business.