i --------TT ENVIRON WT / Veronica Appia/ Metroland Karin Tomosky-Chambers looks after the hives at Willow Grove Heritage Honey Bee Farm. . What you need to know about honey bees-and swarm season VERONICA APPIA vappia@metroland.com It's spring, and for honey bees, that means swarm season. But if you see a swarm on your property, there's no reason to be alarmed, Milton beekeeper Karin Tomosky-Chambers says. Here's what you need to know about honey bees this season: - Panicking around a bee (or swarm of bees) is never a goad idea : What your parents taught you is true: if you don't move, you won't be stung (in most cases, any- way). When a bee lands on you, there is no need to panic, Tomosky-Chambers says. Rather than attempting to sting you, the bee is likely licking the salt from your skin, as it requires that salt to produce honey. [_ However, it can sense your fear, she added. That means, if you begin to pan- ic, the bee may feel threat- ened and retaliate as a re- sult. Honey bees don't sting very often Generally speaking, honey bees don't sting very often, because when they do, they leave behind the stinger, as well as part of their abdomen, and do not survive. Bees swarm when they are looking for a new home There are plenty of rea- sons why bees swarm, but they are all centred around the need to leave one hive in search of another home. Overcrowding, or a dis- like for the queen bee, are two potential reasons why bees would choose to leave their current home. If you see a swarm, leave it alone ' Some people will see a Si mR +58! ie el = - = swarm on their property and try to spray it with in- secticide, or get rid of it in some way. Don't do this, To- mosky-Chambers advises. These bees are harmless and will not attack, espe- cially when in swarming mode. Also, they will even- tually go away on their own. Usually, bees will remain for four or five days in swarms, she added. Be cognizant of the pesti- cides that are on your plants Tomosky-Chambers says certain stores contin- ue to sell plants that contain neonicotinoids, which are used to kill weeds, but are also fatal to bees. The use of neonicotinoids was a main factor in the bee colony col- lapse of the past decade. Tomosky-Chambers ad- _vises residents to be aware of the pesticides used on their plants and stay away from neonicotinoids. # YOUR town YOUR news In Print and Online www.insidehalton.com | team members, COMMUNITY Milton's Cox Automotive Canada No Excuses campaign thrives KIVIN NAGEL nagesenetroland of Cox Aummotive Canada including those at Manheim Toronto and Ready Logistics in Mil ton, donated to more than 13 Canadian organizations during this vear's No Ex- cuses campaign. The initiative encourag- es employees to support lo- cal organizations through volunteerism, donations and giving back. It's part of Cox Automo- tive Canada's Cox Cares corporate social responsi- bility program. Team members 'gath- ered together late into the evening to volunteer two hours each to create, de- sign, and wrap mental wellness baskets for Hal- 'ton Women's Place, whip- ® MORE ONLINE Check out our range of sOCIAal n edi channels serving up content from Insidehalton.com ping up 50 mental wellness baskets for the women and children in shelter. Each basket came complete with something for touch, smell, taste, sight and sound. Fundraising initiatives included a bak® sale, a si- lent auction and a 50/50 draw, with all funds raised going to the Milton District. Hospital Foundation, where the money will aid in the purchase of surgical equipment, a portable ul- trasound and other items on the hospital's annual priority list. "I am very proud of our Canadian team members You are invited to attend a Provincial ELECTION FORUM Wednesday, May 23rd ~ 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Milton District High School, 396 Williams Ave., Milton pF Take this opportunity to meet YOUR HALTON CANDIDATES! e Indira Naidoo-Harris, Liberal ® Parm Gill, PC * Brendan Smyth, NDP e Eleanor Hayward, Green Party LEARN ABOUT THE ISSUES * ASK QUESTIONS ¢ BE INFORMED ASL Interpreter: Heather Hawthorn ~ All Welcome! Hosted by: The Canadian Federation of University Women, Milton & District ® www.cfuwmilton.ca a Getting a severance package? Know your options. Suite 217 www.edwardjones.com Member -- Canadian Investor Protection Fund Brett J Strano, CFP®, FMA, CIWM Financial Advisor - 330 Bronte Street South Milton, ON LOT 7X1 905-864-9969 [ need at the + their valuable time and en- ergy to give back to their lo- cal communities," Maria Soklis, Cox Automotive Canada president, said. Across the country team members sorted food and stocked shelves at local food banks, made multiple meals for children and teens living at youth shel- ters, donated blood at logal blood banks, volunteered at schools, helped to orga- nize and run events in sup- port of Canadian cancer charities and the Special Olympics and conquered fundraising for the Salva- tion Army. Carlee Financial Advisor & Suite 103 Milton, ON LIT 1P4 905-864-6959 Edward Jones MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING WE gm OW, yy who set asidé $0 much of 310 Main Street East Hh Wop uojjeyepisu)