When bees enter an aviary, the first reaction may be fear—but reaching for poison can place both the bees and the birds at risk.
At the PASA Expo on Friday, 4 September 2026, experienced bee farmer Rory Hansel will share practical advice on how bird keepers can manage bees in and around their aviaries safely.
The photograph shows Rory where he is most at home: surrounded by bees, working directly with an active colony. With ten years of commercial beekeeping experience, he understands bee behaviour and knows how quickly a difficult situation can be brought under control when it is handled correctly.
Ten years of practical beekeeping experience
Rory manages approximately 1,500 hives across several parts of South Africa. Around 1,000 of these hives are located between Lanseria Airport and the Vaal Dam, with a further 500 in the Sabie and Tzaneen regions.
His work includes:
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- Honey production
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- Professional bee removals
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- Pollination services
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- Beekeeping courses and practical training
Rory is also the current Chairman of the Southerns Beekeeping Association, where he contributes to beekeeper education, responsible bee management and the protection of honeybee colonies.
Why bees are attracted to aviaries
Aviaries may provide bees with easy access to water, fruit, nectar substitutes, soft food and other sweet substances. Empty boxes, roofs and protected spaces around an aviary may also offer a suitable place for a swarm to settle.
A few bees collecting water or food do not necessarily mean that a colony has moved into the aviary. Bird keepers must understand the difference between visiting bees, a resting swarm and an established colony before taking action.
Why poison is not the answer
Spraying insecticide in or near an aviary can create a far greater problem. Poison may contaminate drinking water, food, perches and surrounding surfaces, placing birds at risk.
Killing the visible bees may also fail to remove an established colony. Honey, wax and brood can remain inside a wall, roof or nesting space, attracting pests or another swarm later.
Honeybees are essential pollinators and should not be destroyed unnecessarily. A trained bee remover can assess the situation and, where possible, remove and relocate the colony safely.
Practical knowledge for every bird keeper
During his PASA Expo presentation, Rory will help breeders understand:
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- Why bees enter aviaries
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- How to discourage bees without harming them
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- How to keep bird food and water less attractive to bees
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- What to do when a swarm arrives
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- How to protect birds while waiting for assistance
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- When professional removal is necessary
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- Why bees should be relocated instead of poisoned
This promises to be an informative and highly practical session. Bird breeders will leave with a better understanding of how to protect their birds while respecting the important place bees hold in our environment.
Join us at the PASA Expo at Umfula Lodge near Parys on Friday, 4 September 2026, and learn from Rory’s years of hands-on experience.
download the pdf programme by clicking On this link.
Proudly sponsored by Trey’s Birds, Umfula Lodge, Aviplus, Elite Pet Products, Johan Stals Voere, Goldwing, CT Pet Couriers, African Pride , Avizandum, Kalahari Bird club, Stellaland Voëlklub and Bali Bird Congress.