Albany Creek has become the site of a disheartening incident for a local beekeeper after a valuable native beehive was stolen.
Sarah Hamilton, a Brisbane beekeeper, is reeling from the loss of her hive, valued at $1,000, which was taken from her brother-in-law’s property in Albany Creek on 27 January. The stolen beehive, part of Ms Hamilton’s “Bee Yourself” service, represented a significant loss. The hive was taken shortly before it was due to be moved.
Ms Hamilton hopes the thieves intend to sell the hive, giving the bees a chance of survival, rather than discarding it, which would almost certainly kill them.

This theft comes amid a difficult period for native beekeepers, with challenging weather conditions affecting hive productivity. The adverse weather has hampered beekeepers’ ability to split hives and expand their numbers, impacting honey production and hive sales.
Ms. Hamilton explained that the hive was placed in a small cardboard box for easy relocation. She believes the thieves likely mistook the box for a delivery. Upon opening it, they would have discovered the bees. She expressed deep concern for the bees’ welfare, noting that transferring them to a new box is a delicate process with a low success rate.

The theft compounds the difficulties faced by native beekeepers in recent years. Ms Hamilton said the weather has significantly impacted her hives’ ability to thrive. She usually splits her hives during spring and summer, effectively doubling her stock, but has been unable to do so for the past four years.
Tim Heard, a committee member of the Australian Native Bee Association, confirmed that many native beekeepers are experiencing hardship. He explained that wet weather has diluted nectar, fostered bacterial diseases, and limited pollen availability, while humidity has encouraged pests.
These factors have contributed to reduced hive productivity and propagation rates. Mr. Heard indicated that some beekeepers have been forced to give up completely due to hive losses. He added that this has made it hard for beekeepers to extract resources like honey and expand their operations by splitting hives.
Ms Hamilton hopes the perpetrators will attempt to sell the hive, giving the bees a chance to survive. She fears that if the hive is dumped, the bees will perish.
Published Date 03-Feb-2025