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Apiary Program


  • Definitions

    This alphabetical listing contains the meanings for abbreviations and the acronyms as well as technical terms used in the following documents.

    Bee - The common honey bee (Apis mellifera)
    Bee spill     - The unintentional release of bees which may or may not be involved with a vehicular accident.
    Beekeeper - Person who manages bee colonies
    Colony - Wooden units containing one complete unit of bees.
    Hive - Same as colony.
    NJDA - New Jersey Department of Agriculture
    EMS - Emergency Medical Service
    Pollinator - Beekeepers who move colonies of bees periodically to provide commercial pollination to agriculture
    Pollination Unit - Colony rented out for commercial pollination
    PB - Primary beekeeper
    PPE - Personal protective equipment
    SB - Secondary beekeeper
    Smoker - Self-contained bellows generated supply of smoke used to quiet bees

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  • Point of Contact

    The following outline has been compiled in order to assist agencies in New Jersey to cope with bee spills and give a general outline of basic procedure to follow.  It also contains information on available personnel who are knowledgeable in handling a situation involving bees.

    New Jersey is one of the basic north-south routes on the east coast for commercial beekeepers moving bees for pollination.  A typical truck would be a semi-flat bed transporting between 300 to 500 colonies.  Each of these colonies will have about 30,000 bees.  The hives (colonies) will be banded or stapled together and the entrances in each hive will be screened to keep the bees confined.  Any accident or impact may rip the net or break open the hives releasing the bees.

    For any incident involving the release of bees while being transported, where they become a hazard to the public, the point of contact for dispatch of qualified emergency personnel is:

    Burlington County
    Central Dispatch
    (609) 267-8300 Emergency No.
    (609) 261-3900 Business No.

    A procedure has been set up to notify representatives from State Department of Agriculture, E.M.S. Disaster Coordinators, commercial or private experienced beekeepers and other personnel as required.

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  • Procedures

    In order to facilitate a quick response if a bee spill incident occurs, the Department of Agriculture has divided the state into three areas, north, central and south.  Each of these areas has a group of primary and secondary beekeepers who will respond if needed.

    Upon receiving a call of an incident involving bees, the central dispatcher will:

    a. Notify the head E.M.S. disaster coordinators and the other coordinators.
    b. Notify the NJ State Apiarist.
    c. Notify the primary beekeepers in the area involved. (North, South Central)

    It is assumed that necessary police, first aid and fire companies will be notified.

    Preliminary information needed by the central dispatcher:

    1. The exact location of the accident by route number, mile, marker, etc.
    2. How bad is the accident, are any persons trapped or injured?
    3. How accessible is the accident? Is the highway blocked?
    4. Can the Truck carrying the bees be driven? What type of truck is it?
    5. How many broken hives? (Bees loose)
    6. Time of accident.
    7. Total number of hives in truck

    Things to do at the scene of an accident:

    1. Remove injured persons (if any) as best possible.
    2. Keep windows up on all vehicles, divert traffic, keep people away from area, 200-300 yards.
    3. Do not try to kill bees unless absolutely necessary.
    4. Do not use lights at night, bees are attracted to light; bees cannot see the color red, so red lights can be used.
    5. Assist beekeepers to get to the area.

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  • Division of Responsibility

    1. POLICE:  In charge of the overall incident.  Will normally control traffic and public safety. Secure areas, advise public to keep clear of area, stay inside, close windows.  Report any bee stings to first aid or rescue squad personnel.

    2. FIRST AID SQUAD:  In charge of first aid and safe removal or injured persons.  If no one is trapped or injured at scene of accident, it is recommended that the squad stand by at a reasonable distance.  Primary concern will be persons stung and progressing into anaphylaxis.  Personnel able to give injections at scene, (doctors, nurses, paramedics, etc.) would be very desirable.

    3. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND PRIMARY BEEKEEPERS:  In charge of organizing and bringing bee spills under control as quickly and effectively as possible.  Dept. Of Agriculture personnel (or beekeepers in charge) will make decision as to trying to salvage or destroy bees.  Responding squads and personnel are asked to give assistance in obtaining equipment or necessary materials needed.

    4. DISASTER COORDINATOR:  To assist police, first aid squads, and beekeepers in maintaining communications, obtaining equipment and personnel as required.  This plan will be maintained by the NJ Department of Agriculture to be used for bee spills anywhere in New Jersey. The E.M.S. disaster coordinators may be required under certain circumstances to assist outside of Burlington County. If they have to respond outside of Burlington County, they must maintain radio contact with the "Central" dispatcher at all times, report to squad in charge at scene and offer assistance.

    RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE AFTER REPORTING TO SQUAD IN CHARGE:

    First disaster coordinator on the scene set up as contact point and establish communications with "Central".  Second disaster coordinator on the scene get in close to accident (in vehicle) and maintain radio link with primary coordinator vehicle.

    If there are injuries, ambulance will stay on perimeter.  Beekeepers may have to assist in removing victims.  Primary beekeepers will be in charge of actual bee spill clean up.  He will request additional help or materials through the Disaster Coordinator (DC).  All disaster coordinators are fully certified first aid personnel.  No injured persons will be moved except under the direction of a first aide personnel unless it is life threatening.

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  • Primary Beekeeper Contacts

    Each primary beekeeper (PB) will have a list of PB’s and list of secondary beekeepers (SB), at least 10-12 names.  Phone numbers of "Central", and have all the equipment ready such as the suit, veils, two pairs of gloves, smokers, fuels, two hive tools, flashlight, tape boots, staples, hammer, lath strip nails.  They have to suit up before entering the affected area.

    Primary concern:  Protecting yourself, proceed carefully.  Persons that have known reactions to bee stings should not enter the affected area.

    Secondary Concern:  Protection and removal of any trapped or injured persons.  Beekeepers will assist first aid squads.  Secure area so no further injuries occur.  Check for fuel spills:  no open flames if fuel is present, no smokers, cigarettes, flares, etc.  Fire equipment will wash down or foam the fuel spills.

    Commence clean up of bee spill.  Police, fire and first aid equipment will stand by until cleanup is complete and area is secured.

    Each PB will make up his/her own list of 5 to 10 beekeepers in his area who he/she will call if needed.

    It is the understanding of the Department of Agriculture that emergencies involving bees will be handled by the following people:

    ALL AREAS

    State Apiarist:

    Tim Schuler
    New Jersey Department of Agriculture
    Division of Plant Industry
    PO Box 330, Rm. 303
    Trenton, NJ 08625-0330
    Office (609) 292-5440
    Cell (609) 462-7820

    NORTH

    Thomas Webb
    RD#4, Box 391, Rt. 519
    Sussex, NJ 07461
    (973) 875-3889

    Ping Sun Chun
    49 Junard Drive
    Morristown, NJ 07960
    Home (973) 539-7020

    Jack Matthenius
    516 Victory Ave.
    Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
    Home (908) 454-7316

     

    CENTRAL

    George J. Schaefer
    RD#1, Old York Rd
    Flemington, NJ 08822
    Home (908) 783-7912

    Walter Wilson
    14 A Connie Lane
    Jackson, NJ 08527
    (732) 928-4294

    Gerd "Gary" Boehnke
    RD#1, Box 157-A
    Frank Applegate Rd
    Jackson, NJ 08527
    Home (732) 928-0082

    Bob Hughes
    706 Groveville-Allentown Rd
    Yardville, NJ 08620
    Home (609) 585-4359

     

    SOUTH

    Robert Harvey
    RD#2, Box 13-A
    Swedesboro Rd
    Monroeville, NJ 08343
    Home (856) 358-1010

    Tim Schuler
    PO Box 228
    W. Jersey Blvd
    Richland, NJ 08350
    Home (856) 697-0483

     

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