The Story of a Honeybee
History, Challenges, and the Art of Beekeeping
What did the world do without beekeepers? Back when it was all fresh and new, Nature managed just fine. The human factor, if there was one then, was just part of the equation of life. In spite of natural disasters (I’m sure there were some) the cycles of all-things-life, functioned fine. There were no man-made toxins, reduction of habitats, and alien invaders to knock the balance off kelter. That was long ago. The human factor has moved in quantum leaps to “dominate the earth”, to the detriment of all life. Today our pollinators, which are a very important part of the foundation of how all other life survives, are in great danger because of human dominance. Thus, the vital need for passionate, dedicated beekeepers.
The first known use of honey is 9,000 years ago in Spain. The first known beekeeping was as early has 2500 B.C. in Egypt, but it was likely being practiced even earlier in China. Bees were considered sacred in Egypt and honey was thought to be tears from the sun god Re. Ancient philosophers wrote of beekeeping and honey.
The first known beehives were dead hollowed out stumps where swarms of bees would set up housekeeping. Unfortunately, the only way the people knew how to harvest the golden sweetness was to kill the bees and destroy the stump. A couple thousand years ago beekeeping became more structured with pots or woven baskets, turned upside-down. There was an opening near the bottom of the “skeps” where the bees could come and go. It was too bad that the people still hadn’t come up with a way to harvest the honey without killing the bees. Through the 18th and 19th centuries enthusiasts continued to try and come up with a workable, efficient hive system. In the 1850’s a fellow named Langstroth, through careful observation and calculations, came up with a hive system that is still used today, even though there are other systems in use.
In talking with someone who has dealt with beekeeping, both personally and professionally, I got some words of wisdom for anyone curious about, or interested in getting into keeping bees. I’ll pass on some of it to you.
Before you purchase the first piece of equipment, attend some meetings of an established beekeeping club. Learn from the mistakes and successes of folks who have been doing it for a long time. You’ll learn about the different kinds of hives and equipment, and what people in your area are doing successfully. They’ll teach you about the different kinds of bees and what works best where you live. STAY AWAY FROM THE INTERNET FOR INSTRUCTION! There’s so much wrong and contradictory information on there. Learn from an “in person” mentor.
Beekeeping isn’t inexpensive. A base for start-up is no less than $1,000+. This includes the hive and supers, smoker, hive tools, a veil, an insulated jacket and pants (prevents stings better), bee gloves, and more.
Will you get stung? Yes! This isn’t a hobby for anyone with bee allergies or who have a fear of being stung.
The purpose of beekeeping is to keep bees alive, happy, healthy, and doing their job. This requires patience, quiet observation, and learning what the bees are telling you. It’s important to love your bees. Money should not be the motive for tending bees. It’s amazing how you’ll begin to appreciate and respect Nature through this process.
Since 1986/87 the bees have struggled to survive. My friend calls it “the death of beekeeping”. This was when the varroa mite was introduced to US colonies. Beekeeping has become especially challenging as other pests and diseases have followed. This doesn’t include the killing by pesticides and herbicides they’re exposed to in mass doses, and the loss of forage and habitat, which has become as big, or bigger reasons for the mass die-offs.
The bottom line for anyone interested in this endeavor, know it is a noble one, and will be very rewarding as well as challenging. We need the honeybees and all our pollinators, which are also sharply affected by toxins and habitat loss.
If you decide that beekeeping isn’t for you, there are other things you can do to encourage native wild pollinators in your space. Again, it’s best to find someone who is already doing it and learn from them. It’s all about understanding how everything is connected and depends on each part for the whole.
BY Sherrie Ottinger
