Bees

Queen:

• Lays eggs, the only bee that has a developed reproductive system

• Lives in larger cells and given royal jelly

• Queen mates with 6 drones and stores sperm to fertilize her eggs.

• Has chemical to make workers follow her

• Biggest bird

Worker

• No reproductive system

• Collects nectar

• Strong sting to protect the colony.

• Smallest bees

Drones

• Born from unfertilized test

• Purpose to mate with queen

• When they mate, they die

• In winter, worker bees throw them out

• No sting

• Strong wings

• Big eyes

Life Cycle BEES LIVE FOR 10 WEEKS

1- Cleans own cell

2- Nurse bee (feeds larvae)

3- Guard bee (guards hive against ants, spiders etc.)

4- Field bee (collects nectar and pollen)

When the colony becomes too crowded, the queen takes half of the worker bees by using her body scent and flies away. This is a bee swarm

Equipment

Why should honeycomb not be thrown away?

• It is illegal and the person can be fined

• Attracts outside bees which spreads disease

• It encourages robbing bees

Bees should be inspected regularly to:

• Identify disease and notify authorities

• Ensure extra frames for spring

• Ensure enough honey for winter

• Reduce the number of frames in winter to keep hive warm

Products

• Honey

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• Wax

  • Candles

  • Cosmetics

  • Lubricants

  • Protectant

  • Waterproof sealer

  • Wound treatment

• Royal Jelly

• Mead

• Propolis

• Bee Sting therapy

• Beeswarm Simulator

• Pollen

• Bee bread, also known as Ambrosia, is a combination of honey, bee saliva, and bee pollen that is fermented and used to feed the hive. It’s considered a superfood due to its high nutritional value, containing proteins, omega fatty acids, and essential amino acids.

• Forager bees collect pollen, which sticks to their statically charged hairs as they move from flower to flower. This pollen gets mixed with nectar and is pushed into their pollen basket (indents on their back legs) as they clean themselves. Once back in the hive, this pollen is made into bee bread to sustain the young, growing bees that are the future of the colony.

• The process of making bee bread involves returning foragers unloading pollen directly into open cells located between the brood and stored honey. Then, middle-aged, pollen processor bees pack it firmly into place, pushing out the air and adding more nectar, honey, and glandular secretions. Other foragers then place additional loads on top. Once the cell is about three quarters filled and well packed, the pollen processors seal it with a layer of honey, under which it ferments into bee bread.

• The fermentation process is similar to that of sourdough bread and lacto-fermented foods (like pickles and sauerkraut), which are food preservation techniques used by humans for millennia. These foods have probiotic benefits, and it’s been assumed that the fermentation process makes the bee pollen easier to digest and more nutritious.

• Bee bread can be harvested from the hive if the colony produces extra. Too much bee bread can interfere with movement between the supers and the brood box. If this occurs, the section of comb can be cut out, wrapped, and frozen for when the bees may need it. Bee bread can also be harvested for human consumption. It’s a highly nutritious staple of bee colonies and is considered a superfood due to its high nutritional value. It’s rich in minerals, vitamins, proteins, fatty acids, and more. It provides robust support to the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help reduce symptoms of allergies, especially if consumed from bees in your local area.

• Bee bread can be added to oats, cereal, or eaten plain. It’s shaped like a small pellet due to being formed in the cells of honeycomb. Despite its unusual ingredients, many people find it to be a tasty addition to their meals and snacks.

• Mead is honey wine, It is the earliest alcoholic drink made by men.