I've counted four, FOUR!, different species of bee at one time sucking the nectar from the catmint in the planter outside the house, this summer. Two kinds were new to me: the carpenter bee (HUGE--1"plus, and shiny black) and some teensy, stripy-sort of bee I haven't identified, yet. They were joined by the usual honey bees and big, fuzzy bumble bees. As a kid, I was SO, afraid of bees, as were most of my peers. The evil bees used to love the Texas privet hedge next to our house in the summer, and we'd cross the street to go next door rather than chance certain death-by-bees. I was sure all they wanted in the whole wide world was a bite of me. A couple of stings didn't help my attitude. Gradually, I overcame the fear (maybe it was those Moody Bible Institute science films we used to see at church some Sunday evenings), and was, somewhere along the way, taught that "if you don't bother them, they won't bother you." As an adult, I find them quite fascinating!
So, I spent time in the bee booth at the Nevada County Fair, this year. First, there was this big, plexiglass hive, so it was possible to watch them working. You could see the queen and the unhatched ones, as well as the workers. Crazy! Agriculture is huge, around here, of course, and without bees, there would be precious little of it. Plus, there's been some kind of huge die-off in the bee population in the last few years in the US--making big news-- that the experts haven't, yet, entirely understood. It's called Colony Collapse Disorder and it may be caused by a virus. Scary stuff! So, bees are a serious deal! I met people who rent their bees out to farmers in the Central Valley. Renting bees? Turns out, lots of professional beekeepers across the US and world make a living hauling their bees all over creation to pollinate crops. But you knew that.
So, for fun, I thought I'd list a few FUN FACTS (apologies to David Letterman) about bees. I guarantee that, unless you are a Professional Bee Keeper Person, you will be surprised by some of them (and yes, some are about how NOT to get stung):
1. The average honey bee will visit 50-100 flowers on each trip, but in HER lifetime, she'll gather enough nectar to make only 1/12 teaspoon of honey. (WHAT?!)
2. Honey bees with fly over 55,000 miles to make one pound of honey (I'll eat it more respectfully, from now on).
3. Bees have developed stinging as a defense of their hive (and, therefore, lives) from large predators, like bears (who, everyone knows LOVE honey--just like Pooh!). To be most effective, they learned to aim for the EYES of the predator (like you and me), but ONLY near the hive.
4. So, if you discover that, yipes!, you're near a hive, lower, or cover your eyes, for one thing.
5. For another, don't make any sudden movements--"tai chi", smooth and graceful, is recommended (easier for some than for others...)
6. Near hives, avoid having dark spots on your person (like watchbands, SUNGLASSES, eye-print blouses, etc.), especially of the colors black and red. Bees see black and red as the same (and it's like wearing a target--near a hive).
7. And try to seem as un-bearlike as possible--no wool or fur coats (duh), and cover dark hair or beards/mustaches (again, easier for some...)
8. Guard bees (they have badges and carry little walkie-talkies) will usually give you a "warning bump" before they sting. Walk away slowly (easier said, especially when you hear them calling their buddies...).
9. You can "lose" a "stalking" bee by walking through shrubbery.
and,
10. If stung (how, after all these helpful hints I've given you?), scrape (don't pull or squeeze) the stinger out with a fingernail, or some such, apply papain/meat tenderizer, and take an antihistamine. Only one person in 100,000 is truly allergic to bees (if you are, carry epinephrine with you!).
Oh, and, one more:
11. A beekeeper wants to get at least 50 (!!) stings each year (200 is better!) in order to become "unreactive" to bee stings. The more stings, the less chance there is of developing allergic reactions. I'm definitely going to appreciate the honey in my tea more than I used to!
OK. I think you've had enough, for one day. Class dismissed!
--Sandy
