We have new residents on our farm, and not just a few either. More like several tens of thousands of them, according to Earl’s guesstimate. And, no, we haven’t started raising chickens or turkeys, although our new residents do have wings. They are tiny insects that stay really busy.
With those hints, you might have guessed by now that we have delved into the hobby of bee keeping.
We started with one hive and have already added another. So far, I would call it a buzzing success, although that will be determined to a greater degree later when we have successfully kept them alive through both drought and freezing weather, and ultimately, after we have collected the long-awaited honey harvest. That could be next summer, according to Earl who has become quite knowledgeable since attending bee keeping classes in Fayetteville, reading books, watching YouTube videos, and consulting with other beekeepers with more expertise.
So far, my involvement has been minimal, consisting more of observation from a safe distance than participating hands on. So, the bees are actually Earl’s, but I want to claim part ownership and to pay enough attention that he feels obligated to share the loot when the time comes to rob the hive.
Prior to our new bee endeavor, I knew very little about these buzzing insects beyond the fact that they make honey and they, of course, sting. I remember both from my childhood. I recall a dishpan of honey sitting on the kitchen table and how delicious it tasted. We ate spoonfuls of the syrupy goodness and chewed the wax because my older brother said it was just like gum.
My dad had a hive or two, and I suppose tha tis where the honey came from, although he might have brought some from a tree in the woods. I cannot recall the details about that, and it is at times like this when I wish my dad was still around to clarify my vague memories.
Another related memory, that of my little sister Lois screaming when she stepped on a bee with her bare foot is more vivid. If there was a bee anyplace nearby, it seems she was the one that had the encounter. Or, maybe she was just the one that advertised the loudest when it happened. In any case, we all came running when she let out her bee-sting scream.
As it turns out, there is much more to know about bees. They are fascinating little creatures. They are very neat and organized and are really hard workers. There are a few, the drones, that apparently don’t do much, but the others work tirelessly. The queen directs the whole operation, and the colony goes down the tubes if something happens to her.
It is interesting to stand near the hive entrance and watch the flurry of activity as they come and go, and to see how much pollen they collect on their little bodies to bring back.
And, bees are amazingly useful, too. According to honeybeehaven.com, they are responsible for pollinating one in three bites of food we eat. Unfortunately, as it has been with many other inhabitants that share this earth with us, we humans have not been the best neighbors. The number of honey bees has decreased significantly since the 1990s and a few changes are needed to help them make a comeback.
The website gives a few bee-friendly suggestions, starting with avoiding use of toxic pesticides that often kill “good” insects as well as the pests. Planting food sources, especially native plants that bloom at different times throughout the season, is another helpful suggestion. Providing a source of clean drinking water throughout the year is another need. I have seen them drinking from my birdbath this summer.
The site also suggests preserving places where bees can take shelter. Untilled and undisturbed ground, along with bushes and dead trees can all be home sweet home to bees.
Or, as we have done, you can purchase or build hives and maintain your own colonies. You don’t have to live in the country or have a lot of room to do this. Plenty of folks in town keep hives.
Bee keeping is one of those “feel good” hobbies. While we do a small part in providing for them, the bees return the favor by pollinating the flowers that bloom and the food we eat, all the while staying busy as … well, busy as bees making their sweet golden honey. Yum!
Annette Rowe is a freelance writer from rural Gentry and a speech language pathologist at Siloam Springs High School. She may be reached by email at [email protected] .-
Opinion, Pages 6 on 07/24/2013