Bees

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Bees are amazing creatures. Recently I was lucky enough to meet with local beekeeper Clarissa Leatham. We discussed the basic workings of a hive and how to get your own hive started.

There are three types of bees in a hive: drones, workers and queen. The queen is responsible for the laying and fertilisation of eggs. She can control if she produces male or female larvae.

The infertile females become worker bees. The workers are smaller bees that live for approximately 6 weeks, keepers of the hive. For the first four weeks of their life, they assist in the upkeep of the hive, working their way up the ranks. In the final one to two weeks of their life they are sent out to collect the pollen and nectar. The males are larger bees that are also known as drones. The drones' sole purpose is to mate with the queen to help her produce offspring.

THE ISSUE

There are many issues worldwide that are causing the decrease in bee numbers: the increase in vehicle fumes, the use of neonicotinoid insecticides (widely available in Australia), the spread and introduction of disease, pests and predators, climatic changes, increased intensive agricultural systems, fragmentation of native vegetation and the list goes on.

Changing weather conditions are causing changes in plant flowering patterns, disrupting the relationship between bees and the plants they feed on.

The increase of intensive agricultural systems creates an environment that only supplies food for short periods, disrupting bee nutrition. Bees are essential for the pollination of these systems yet can only travel 3-5 kilometres for food. Returning to the hive without feeding often means death.

THE SOLUTION

Noticing the decrease in bee numbers and sick of not being able to get good quality honey, Clarissa decided to start her own hives five years ago. Since then she has been a great advocate for keeping your own bees.

To get started, Clarissa spent time with a local beekeeper then attended a course to learn about the workings of a hive and how she could support this system. Once obtaining her own hive, Clarissa said observation was then her greatest learning tool. She would regularly check and watch the hives, learning along the way.

She has co-founded the Mansfield and District (MAD) Bee Group, which is a group for anyone to come along and join in, learn about bees and beekeeping. This group provides individuals with the knowledge and support for getting started keeping their own bees through information sessions, networking and mentoring. Contact Up2Us if you are interested in joining.

THE IMPACT

Pollination from bees is required for nearly two-thirds of Australia's food production, including pumpkins, apples, avocados to name a few. Globally, the economic value of bee pollination is around $380 billion per year, so without them we are in trouble.

The benefit of bees is often underestimated. Hives near crops increase pollination by up to 300%, bees assist pollination of native vegetation and the average home vegetable patch/orchard makes huge gains if they are nearby.

'It is not hard to achieve, just get in there and give it a go' - Clarissa Leatham