Feral bees removed from hollows to allow native animals to use

One of the Shire of Mundaring’s 87 friends groups, Friends of Bugle Tree Gully, secured a grant from Swan Alcoa Landcare Program.

Co-ordinator, environment and sustainability Toni Burbidge said the $5500 grant would make a big difference to hundreds of native animals in Mundaring.

“Most of the bees that you would see at home are not actually native to Australia, rather they were introduced from Europe in 1822,” she said.

“In the last few years, there have been more occurrences of these bees escaping hives and spreading to bushland.

“Unfortunately, this threatens our native birds, possums and bats as the bees take over tree hollows.

“They also out-compete our native bees, which are much smaller in size.”

So far, 36 hives up to 16.5m high have been removed within the Bugle Tree Gully catchment area.

“The contractor used very specific equipment to reach these hollows, including a remote-controlled cherry picker,” Mrs Burbidge said.

“These hollows will be treated, and we hope to see native fauna begin to use these habitat spaces again.”

Bushcare helpers wishing to work on a similar program should call 9290 6685 or email BradThompson@mundaring.|wa.gov.au.       See page 15