One fine morning, I got this opportunity to know more about Little honey bee in a two-day workshop at Art of Living Center Bangalore. I could not wait to share it. S.M.Shanthaveeraiah(Beekeeping expert) was having almost 20 years of experience in Beekeeping and at the age of 75. He was still passionate to share his knowledge.
Why Bee Keeping?
Albert Einstein, once predicted that within a few years after the exit of the last bee on the globe the living world also vanishes. All plants agriculture, horticulture, silviculture, medicinal plant, say almost all plants depend mainly on honey bees for pollination and reproduction
Pollination is the primary benefit derived by honey bees. The benefit of pollination is around 20times worth of the benefits derived from all other bi-products. Whereas Bee wax is used in more than 300 industries including Pharmaceuticals.
What is Bee Keeping?
Keeping a Honey Bee colony in a Beehive box providing a congenial environment of their natural adobe, Bee work freely and pollinate plant species produce other valuable products namely Honey, Bee wax, Pollen, Propolis, Royal jelly, and Bee Venom. Another important question?
Where you can take up Beekeeping ?
Anywhere with sufficient Bee flora to sustain the food requirement of the honey bee colony near a one-kilometre radius. Bee work in a distance of 500 to the 800-meter radius.
Similarly, the question arise? Who can do Bee Keeping?
A young boy of 10-year-old to aged up to 80 years, irrespective of status and education. Seems like everyone can do this.
What are the Tools and Equipment required for Beekeeping?
Bee Hive Box: This green color wooden box with replaceable frames of uniform size prepared out of well-seasoned wood with more than five-year durability.
Bee Veil: Transparent veil to protect the face against Bee stings.
Smoker: Cotton clothes emitting smoke to scare away the bees in need.
Honey Extractor: This stainless steel drum with a rotating gear union and handle to extract honey.
Comb foundation sheets: I used to fix this to the brood and superframes for saving energy and time of Bees. The bee needs to consume 15gram of wax in order to produce 1 gram wax. Above all
Most important How to start BeeKeeping?
Contact your nearest beekeeper stay with him for the whole day. Get preliminary training. Take two honey bee colonies in the night. Establish them in a predetermined place.
Now keep 5 to 10 feet distance between the colonies.
Also, arrange the protection of colonies from ants(the best way is putting wood ash around the stand).
Provide artificial feed (1:1sugar solution )twice in a week in the evening. Affix comb foundation sheets to the empty frames.
Finally, who are the enemies of a bee?
1.Wax moth: a perfect box and close vigilance are required.
2.Ants: take measure to prevent them.
Remember Morgan Freeman, the actor, film director and philanthropist has added a new title to his name: Beekeeper. He dedicated 124 acres to bee ranch.
ALLAH the All-Knowing says: “And your Lord inspired to the bee, “Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct. Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you].” There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing for people. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.” [ Surah An-Nahl (The Bee), Ayath 68-69 ]
I gave a commitment to keep beehives and raise voice for Bee conservation. Feel free to ask any questions about beekeeping and share your experiences as well.
Stay curious on your walks!