Our Apiary saw the loss of about 50% of our hives this winter. The extreme cold and the fluctuation of temperatures and resulting moisture took its toll on some of our bees. But three of our hives have shown great survival skills! As spring arrives, we at Cranaleith are doing our best to prepare for six new colonies of bees. Three new hive stands have been assembled and painted, hive boxes have been prepared, and the apiary is ready to welcome our new colonies on April 12th. As we move forward, we will do our best to allow our bees to do what they do best with as little interference as possible.
You may notice a wilder look at the apiary. The bees like a place to play and forage with varied flowers and plantings. To the bees it looks like the Garden of Eden!
Some Interesting Facts about Honey and Bees
- Did you know all worker bees in a hive are female?
- Did you know hives have housekeepers, guards, undertakers, nurses, and foragers?
- Did you know that a tablespoon of honey is enough to keep a person alive for 24 hours?
- Did you know that one of the world’s first coins featured the symbol of a bee?
- Did you know that honey contains living enzymes?
- Did you know that when it comes into contact with a metal spoon, these enzymes die?
- The best way to eat honey is with a wooden spoon; if you can’t find one, use a plastic spoon.
- Did you know that honey contains a substance that helps the brain function better?
- Did you know that honey is one of the few foods on Earth that can sustain human life on its own?
- Did you know that bees saved people from starvation in Africa?
- Did you know that propolis, produced by bees, is one of the most powerful natural antibiotics?
- Did you know that honey has no expiration date?
- Did you know that the bodies of the world’s greatest emperors were buried in golden coffins and then covered with honey to prevent decomposition?
- Did you know that the term “honeymoon” comes from the tradition of newlyweds consuming honey to boost fertility after marriage?
- Did you know that a bee lives less than 40 days, visits at least 1,000 flowers, and produces less than a teaspoon of honey, but for the bee, it is the work of an entire lifetime?
Thank you, precious bees!
Credits: Curiosity #didyouknow #didyouknowfacts #DidYouKnow
