A Summerland beekeeper is asking for tips to help him recover a stolen hive.

The hive was stolen from an orchard at 6402 Giant鈥檚 Head Road between May 1 at 8 p.m. and May 2 at 7 a.m.

The hive belongs to Kevin and Janelle Dunn of Okanagan Wildbrush Honey.

鈥淭his theft seems kind of cute on the surface, but in reality, it is quite serious and costly to both my wife and I as beekeepers and to fruit growers who desperately need pollinators at this time,鈥� Kevin Dunn said.

The hive is worth around $500 but has an earning potential of twice that amount.

In addition, the theft could cost the grower a significant amount of the crop due to lack of pollination.

鈥淗ives take all spring to prepare to be strong enough for pollination.鈥� Dunn said. 鈥淚t takes an enormous amount of time, effort and resources to make a pollination unit that is strong enough to put into an orchard.鈥�

The Dunns service fruit growers from Osoyoos to Summerland during pollination time.

鈥淎nyone who comes forward with tips leading to the stolen hive and/or its perpetrator will be compensated with honey,鈥� says Dunn.

Cpl. Christopher Richardson of the Summerland RCMP detachment asks anyone finding the hive to contact the police and not to approach the hive on their own.