A WAGGLE DANCE
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  • Buzz (the blog)
  • Lots of Photos
    • March 2013
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    • May 2013
    • June 2013
  • Learn More
    • Videos
    • Books about Bees
    • Poems and Songs about Bees
    • Fun Facts
    • Glossary
  • Ask a Beekeeper

Buzz (the blog)

Do Bees Sting other Bees?

4/30/2013

25 Comments

 
Elijah, who is 5 1/2 sent me a message by using the ask a beekeeper part of this website. I think I have an interesting answer.
 "Do bees sting each other on the back or something? I was wondering. I know what bees make -- they make honey!"
First a few facts:
  • When a honeybee stings a mammal they lose their stinger because it gets stuck in the mammal's thick skin
  • If a honey bee loses its stinger they will die so they only sting if they really need to
  • Honeybees can sting other insects multiple times
  • When workers are 21 days old they have the strongest stingers so they become guard bees

There are a few bees, called guard bees that stay near the entrance to protect their hive from intruders. They inspect every bee that enters. They can smell the bee and tell if they are from this hive or another. If a bee from another hive comes to the door with pollen or nectar the guards won't stop them. It's like they are bringing gifts. If a honey bee from another hive comes with nothing the guards won't let them enter.  Here a a photo of a  the entrance on a busy sunny day. As the hive population grows, I may make the entrance larger, but that will mean they will need more guard bees. 
Picture
 If a wasp, bumble bee, or yellow jacket tries to enter the guard bees will not let them in either. They will release a pheromone or a smell to warn the others. It works a lot like a fire alarm warning people there may be a fire. Other bees will come out and attack. These insects may have been trying to rob the hive, by stealing their honey, the bees will attack. One day I found a dead Bumble bee in front of my hive. I wonder if he was trying to steal some honey.
Picture
25 Comments

The Queen! The Queen!

4/13/2013

0 Comments

 
The queen bee likes the darkness of the hive, so sometimes it is hard to find her. I have looked every time that I checked on my bees and hadn't seen her yet. Today was my lucky day. I pulled out frame after frame searching for pollen, nectar, brood, and of course, Miss Royalty. I knew she would be deep in the hive. She was probably laying eggs. I found a few frames full of brood (baby bees). I knew I was getting closer. Then I spotted her. I yelled for T.J. to come and look and a few other beekeepers came to see her too. T.J. snapped a photo and her she is. Can you find which one is the Queen? She has a long abdomen.
Picture
0 Comments

What do Honey Bees Eat or Drink? 

3/27/2013

13 Comments

 
Here are some things Honey Bees like to eat or drink:
  • Nectar- a high sugar liquid that plants produce. If you touch the center of a flower and get wet or sticky you probably found the nectar.
  • Pollen- This is what makes me sneeze in the summertime. Pollen is usually a yellow color, but sometimes it can be almost green or grey. Pollen is the powdery substance in the center surrounded by petals.
  • Water- On hot days beekeepers may set out water for their bees especially if they are not near a water source like a stream or pond.
  • Honey- Honey is dehydrated nectar. After bees have collected enough nectar to fill a cell, they dry it out. They can flap their wings to fan the nectar and get rid of any moisture. This helps them preserve their food for the winter or whenever they need it.
  • Sugar water-  If the bees have consumed all their honey and flowers have not started blooming  beekeepers give their bees sugar water. It is not the best food and doesn't have everything a bee needs to be healthy, but it will keep them alive until they can get nectar.
Picture
This beekeeper just added his bees to the hive. Since they have no honey they will start with sugar water in the jars. The beekeeper will have to come back and check on his jars to make sure his bees have enough to eat. 
13 Comments

    Amanda

    Staring at the dancing bees in an observation hive, it hits me. I love how these tiny creatures communicate. It looks like they're having fun dancing around while telling their sisters where to find some nectar.

    I created this site to share what I know about these amazing creatures such a tiny creature has such a complex way to carrying out its purpose. And it all looks so simple. It reminds me that God takes care of the smallest details as his creation dances.

    So here goes. Join me on an adventure with bees. I hope we can make learning as fun as the dancing bees informing their sisters of sweet nectar.

    Amanda's Sting Count
    2013- 6 stings
    2019- 0
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