Small business faces $30K loss after honey bees stolen in Brunswick County

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The beekeeping community in the Cape Fear is buzzing after a theft in Brunswick County is costing one man thousands of dollars.

Ken Edgar has been a beekeeper for two decades. He currently holds the title of master beekeeper, running his own honey bee farm called the Sweet Life Honey Bee Farm.

Last month during a routine check of his bee yard just off Highway 17 in Brunswick County, Edgar noticed his fence had been tampered with and 15 to 30 colonies of bees had been stolen. The reason for the disparity is because he had been reorganizing the layout of the bee yard, rearranging where all the hives are located.

“That was about a third of the colonies that I have, maybe a little more. It’s really cut into my business. I mean, this is what I do for a living now,” said Edgar.

Between the bees, the equipment, and the money he would have made from honey sales, Edgar says it’s about a $30,000 loss.

“Whoever came over here and did this, they knew exactly what they were doing,” said Edgar. “They knew how hives were marked with bricks on top that designate whether it’s an old queen or a new queen in the colony. They took all the boxes that had new queens in them.”

Beekeeping is complex. Susan Warwick with the New Hanover County Beekeepers Association says it’s unfortunate that whoever committed the crime is likely one of their own.

“I think the beekeeping community is a pretty tight-knit community. We know the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into keeping your bees healthy and alive,” said Warwick. “It’s just sad to think that we’re up against parasites, we’re up against the weather, we’re up against pesticides, and now we’ve got to worry about people stealing hives and it’s probably another beekeeper? It’s just really sad. It’s depressing to think.”

In addition to not having to put in the work to keep the bees alive in the cold winter months, Warwick says a lot of money can be made by taking hives to California to help with the almond tree pollination.

“You’re looking at upwards of $200 to $230 per hive. So the more hives you have that just means the more money you’re going to make,” said Warwick.

Whether to make a pretty penny out west or to harvest honey for themselves, Edgar has one message for the thieves.

“If all else fails, at least take care of those bees,” said Edgar.

The community has rallied around Edgar, donating hives to help recoup his business and creating a GoFundMe to support him financially.