BEES REMOVED FROM HOMES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 7

BEES REMOVED FROM HOMES

Man Specialises In Work A Christchurch man specialises in removing swarms of bees which settle in or near homes. He is Mr T. J. Cattermole, of 46 Rayburn avenue Papanui. Since Mr Cattermole advertised recently that he collected swarms of bees he has been frequently called on the telephone. Last week he collected three swarms. An average swarm comprises about 5000 bees. Mr Cattermole does not use any special protective clothing although he usually covers his face with a netted mask. The bees very rarely sting him and he says that when they do he does not feel anything more than a jab. When Mr Cattermole removed a large swarm from an iron railing fence last week he had a large crowd watching him. Most stood at least 20 yards away. With his bare hands, Mr Cattermole lifted the bees into a wooden box. Some left the swarm and buzzed around him. When most were in the box he walked over towards his car, put the box in the boot and still with a large number of loose bees flying around him drove off. Mr Cattermole has several hives on his premises. Most of the honey is obtained between December and March. A lot depends on the weather being fine, Mr Cattermole said.