Vandals have targeted beehives for a third time.

Owner Johnny Kipps has contacted the police and his local authority after his three beehives behind the former Ocean Ford premises on Douglas Road, near the airport, were broken into, leaving his bees exposed to conditions that could harm them.

’This is the third time it’s happened,’ he said. ’I’m really angry - angry that they are not being properly taught that they need to look after bees in the island.

’It’s mindless, ignorant vandalism.’

Mr Kipps, who lives in Castletown, has been beekeeping since 2014 and is treasurer of the Isle of Man Beekeepers’ Federation and Southern District Beekeepers’ Association.

He said that the incident could have killed his bees.

’They had removed the top of one hive and the observation window of the other and left them open. The bees can die of cold at night.

’You have to keep the temperature constant which is jolly well hard to do.

’When you open a hive you need to close it as fast as you can.’

A previous incident, which happened last year, occurred between two storms. When Mr Kipps checked on his bees he discovered the beehive roofs were off and that they were full of water.

’They could have killed the colony,’ he said.

’Bees in the island are in a unique situation as we don’t have the Varroa virus, which affects populations around the world.

’This means we cannot import bees and need to produce and nurture them.

He added: ’Behaviour like this is appalling.

’These vandals not only put our bees at risk, they also risk serious - in some cases fatal - bee stings, while also damaging the good name of Castletown with their mindless desecration.’

The vandalism has taken place during the school holidays every time, Mr Kipps said. Despite having locks and chains on the beehives, the perpetrators still managed to break in.

’If they want to learn about beekeeping we run classes and would be absolutely delighted to teach them.’

Castletown Commissioners said: ’Bearing in mind how important bees are to the environment, it would appreciated if anybody has any information as to the perpetrator(s) to please contact the police.’