Page 9 - Discover Summer 2022
P. 9
Ain't
Mis-Bee-Hiving
By Charles Alexander
It’s definitely not a hobby for everyone, nor have as their mission attaching themselves to,
is it one that can be approached casually, or and biting, their hosts. Since ticks may carry
put aside for a while. Indeed, local apiarist Bill a number of serious diseases, this makes them
Pecoraro insists that best results are achieved even more dangerous.
through micromanagement of one’s hive.
This retired environmental science teacher
He cautions against beekeeping as a pursuit,
eagerly clarifies the distinction between bees,
unless one is willing to risk hundreds of
and their distant cousins: hornets and wasps.
dollars in the hope of harvesting a few pounds
While bees are pollinating insects that collect
of honey for a year’s effort.
nectar and produce honey, hornets and wasps
While it may not be “rocket science”, are predatory, sometimes parasitic, and they
there definitely is a right way to successfully are also scavengers. But even these more
cultivate honey bees. Delving into this realm aggressive insects will usually not sting you
requires an understanding of the nature and unless you give them a reason, such as flailing
functions of a bee colony. your arms in a panic because you are afraid of
being stung. More to the point, honey bees
The word “beekeeper” often conjures up
are far less aggressive, and they are bred for
mental images of a person wearing an outfit
their gentle nature; the Italian honey bee is a
that resembles something akin to a space suit,
popular favorite.
replete with wide brimmed hat adorned with
fine netting. Our innate fear of being stung So why, then, the Imperial Stormtrooper
helps to reinforce that image, but the truth is costume? They are used primarily by
that the hobbyist has little use for such attire. commercial beekeepers, which maintain many
In fact, honey bees are quite gentle, and after large hives. They don’t have the luxury of being
a brief orientation, this writer was able to get able to take a relaxed, unhurried approach
a close-up view of the inner workings of the when interfacing with their livestock.
hive without feeling threatened.
To bee or not to bee…
Pecoraro jokes about being a lot more afraid
Bill is schooling his friend, Jim Chandler,
of ticks than he is of bees. He explains that
on the finer points of the hobby, a word which
bees will not sting you as long as they do not
he is careful to use. “I wouldn’t recommend
perceive you as a threat to their safety, or to
to anyone to try and do this to make money”,
the safety of the hive. On the other hand, ticks
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