Here in Florida, we’re blessed with long bloom periods and multiple nectar flows. Honey bees are a natural choice to maximize the usefulness of one’s garden, homestead, or farm. Honey bees, like any animal, require time and upkeep. Unlike many animals, however, honey bees perform much of their own maintenance.
Communally, the hive provides itself with the entirety of its nutritional needs. Foragers may travel more than two miles, multiple times a day, to gather nectar, pollen, and water. Nectar is the primary carbohydrate food source for adult bees. Excess is cured by the beating of wings until the moisture content is so low that it will not spoil, and it is sealed in wax for times of scarcity. Pollen is transformed via fermentation into a protein-rich bee bread for growing larvae. Water is used not only for hydration but also to control the temperature and humidity of the nest.
To ensure the proper function of the hive, honey bees are strict in their upkeep of it. Wax combs are scrubbed, repaired, rebuilt. Contaminants are disposed outside of the nest. Invaders that cannot be removed from the hive are mummified and sealed within antiseptic plant resin. The same resin is used to mend gaps and disinfect entrances.
A strong, established honey bee colony is prepared for anything short of a bear attack. A beekeeper’s responsibility is to ensure nothing threatens the work of their hives through routine checks for pests and predators. The less effort the bees spend protecting themselves, the more they’ll spend on the flowers.
For the beekeeper, the reward for this labor is compounding. Honey is a beloved, shelf-stable cottage food product. It is easily made into wine. Wax has a litany of uses, from candles to waterproofing. Meanwhile, the honey bees increase plant productivity through rigorous pollination.
The Beginner Beekeeping Class offered by the Highlands County Master Gardeners is the perfect opportunity to learn everything you need to know to start your own apiary. The class is taught by local, experienced beekeepers who will cover the basics of bee biology and behavior, as well as a hands-on, in-hive demonstration of equipment and techniques needed to set up and maintain a successful bee colony.
For more information, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/are-you-a-keeper-beekeeping-101-tickets-1230797902659?aff=oddtdtcreator
