A bit about bees & their hive

1. Bees & their Hive

Apis Mellifera20,000 species of bees

Most populous is Apis Mellifera Apis = bee Melli = honey Ferre = to bear

What bees do for us POLLINATE Apis Mellifera

pollinate lots of our crops: Fruit Nut Vegetable Flower

$2billion+ Australia $US30-90 billion pa

worldwide

Bee lifecycle

egg larva pupa bee

Bee lifecycle

3 types of bees in a hive

The Birds & the beesAfter 1-2 years colony swarms

Hive left behind with nurse bees, brood, newly hatching bees & honey stores

Virgin queen mates

What goes on in the hive

Eggs-larvae-bees Temperature

control

Social bees 20,000-1,000,000

bees Hexagonal cells

How bees make honey

Collect nectar

RegurgitateDehydrate

80% 18%water

Enhanced nutrition for their consumption

How bees talkPheromonesWaggle dance

VibrationPick up sounds from hairs on head

Mute

The buzz on honey Easy to digest Soothing Moistening agent All colours &

flavours Hydroscopic Honey is an ‘’anti’’

Antiviral Antibacterial Antifungal Antimicrobial An antioxidant

Getting stung – an occupational hazard

Light coloured clothes

Protective clothes

Stings immunise? Honey soothes

Self defence Move slowly Keep calm Stay away from hive

entrance No perfume/strong

deodorant