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Bees and Beekeeping
Beekeeping is the science of managing honey bees and promoting healthy hive conditions. Honey production involves extracting honey from honey comb and packaging the honey for human use.
2,104 Questions
Why are bees called killer bees?
They aren't. There is a hybrid strain of honey bee which is properly called Africanised bees, and they tend to be more aggressive than normal honey bees. They are only found in South America, Central America and southern states of the United States. These Africanised bees have been known to attack people and livestock for no apparent reason and some people have then died from multiple stings. The media picked up on this and nicknamed them 'killer bees'.
How are bumble bees getting into my house?
They are in your house by accident, can't find their way out and don't want to be there. Close the inside door of the room that they are in so that they don't wander into other parts of the house, then open as many windows as possible to encourage them to fly outside again.
How is viscosity important to bee keepers?
Viscosity is important to beekeepers when selecting honey to harvest, as it determines how easily the honey can be extracted from the comb. Honey with higher viscosity tends to be thicker and more difficult to extract, while lower viscosity honey flows more easily. Beekeepers may need to adjust harvesting methods based on the viscosity of the honey to ensure a successful extraction process.
Why killer bees were introduced into America?
Africanised bees (to give them their proper name) started out in South America about 60 years ago when bees being used in a laboratory experiment were accidentally released. Their offspring have slowly migrated northwards since then and have now reached the southern states of the United States.
What has the mass deaths of honeybees been linked to?
Their mass deaths have been linked to the use of pesticides in crops combined with viral infections.
Worker honeybees keep the colony clean, look after younger bees, and collect pollen and nectar.
Why honey bees are called social insects?
Because they live in colonies of around 50,000 bees. You have to be sociable when you have so many neighbours!
The size of a honey bee is determined by the species. They are pretty much going to be the same size, with the drones and queens being slightly larger.
How many queen bees are in each hive?
Usually only one but in exceptional circumstances there can be more than one for a very short period.
How were killer bees introduced into the new areas?
They spread naturally in a northward direction after having escaped in the 1950's from a research facility in South America.
No. Bees are wild creatures even if they are kept in a hive by a beekeeper. They are also social insects and live in a colony with lots of other bees.
