Beekeeping 101 for us to better understand honey bees!
Bob Becka takes time to teach us Beekeeping 101 because he is passionate about honey bees and saving them from decline! At 65 years old, when some people think it’s okay to do less, Bob started backyard beekeeping.
He loves to share information about bees so others can better appreciate how bees are connected with our backyard gardens and food supply. Bob says, “Bees are vitally important. We need them to pollinate for us or we won’t have enough food!”
Bees are generally misunderstood. They are docile in nature and are NOT the same as hornets or yellow jackets, which are in the wasp family. Wasps can sting multiple times whereas a bee can only sting once, and it loses its life when it does.
Bob says splitting hives is necessary so the bees aren’t overpopulated. If that happens they will leave the hive, swarming to look for a new location. Beekeepers will intentionally split a hive before the bees decide to leave.
In this video you will see how a new queen bee arrives and is introduced to the split hive. It’s fascinating!
Here’s a bee sting you might enjoy!
THE BEE STING COCKTAIL
- 2 oz. jalapeno-infused vodka
- 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. honey syrup
- club soda and ice
How about some applause for Beekeeper Bob!
Share your thoughts in the comment box below…
Do you have a garden that you need pollinated?
Did you realize bees see colors and can identify shapes painted on their hives?
Do you understand the difference between wasps and bees?
For more information on the importance of caring for our environment, CLICK HERE to watch an interview about organic lawn care.
Bob was so comfortable in front of the camera while sharing his knowledge about bee keeping. Fascinating how bees take time before accepting the queen. Not my cup of tea, but important to all of us.
Hi Diane, Thank you for the kind remarks. I’m not generally a public speaker but when you have a passion the words just seem to flow naturally! Bob
This beekeeping story is so wonderful. I never knew what is involved, but I welcome the honeybees visiting my garden every spring. I want to know if other insects, wasps, bumblebees and the like, are a threat to bees. We have no room to raise bees in our yard, but what more can I do as an organic gardener (never using pesticides) to benefit the honeybees that visit my flowers?
Thanks so much for this story.