The Secret Life of Bees
16 October 2023
Have you ever stopped to think about the incredible work done by bees each day? These tiny, buzzing creatures have a far-reaching impact on our ecosystem. Put simply; our planet would not be the same without them.
The buzzing life of a honey bee
Each day the honey bee sets off to forage for nectar and pollen from various flowers. Utilising its keen sense of smell the bee locates abundant food sources and extracts nectar. Bees also use a unique form of communication known as the "waggle dance" in which they perform a series of movements to convey the location of a food source to their fellow hive members.
Throughout the day, a bee may visit hundreds of flowers, inadvertently pollinating them and contributing to the growth of vital fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Upon returning to the hive, the bee transfers the nectar where it is processed into honey and stored in honeycomb cells for the colony's sustenance. Inside the hive the queen busily lays eggs, ensuring the colony's survival and growth. With each new day, the honey bee resumes its essential role in pollination and production, maintaining the ecosystem's delicate balance.
Honey bees generally forage within 1.5 - 3.5 kilometres from their hives, but they can take longer flights to find nectar. Their little wings beat an incredible 230 per second, and they can travel around 25 kilometres per hour!
On average, a honey bee produces about one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey during its lifespan, which is usually 30-60 days in summer or up to 20 weeks in winter.
Why we need (and love!) bees
Pollination: from apples and squash to buckwheat and coffee, bees (especially honey bees) are responsible for pollinating many fruits, vegetables, and nuts we consume.
According to The Bee Conservatory, bees "pollinate 1 in 3 bites of food we eat and are vital to healthy ecology."
Without their tireless work, we would face a drastic decrease in the availability and variety of the healthy foods we eat.
Bees and your skin
Bees aren't only crucial to sustaining a diverse and healthy diet, but they also offer remarkable benefits for natural skincare.
Honey: Revered for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and moisturising properties, honey can be used to soothe irritated skin, promote wound healing, and improve overall skin health.
Beeswax: A natural byproduct of honey production, beeswax acts as an emollient, helping to lock in moisture and protect the skin. Beeswax also creates a barrier on the skin, preventing irritants from penetrating the surface.
Propolis: Propolis is a resinous substance collected by bees from tree buds and used to seal their hives. Rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, propolis can help calm and heal the skin.
Royal Jelly: Royal jelly is a secretion produced by worker bees to feed the queen bee. The substance contains essential nutrients and vitamins and is known for its moisturising and anti-ageing properties.
The diversity of bees
With over 20,000 different types of bees worldwide, each species contributes uniquely to our ecosystem. Only the honey bee, bumble bees, and stingless bees produce honey, while others, such as the mason bees and leafcutter bees, are exceptional pollinators.
Not all bees live in colonies either; many are solitary species that construct individual nests. For example, carpenter bees burrow into wood, while ground-nesting mining bees dig tunnels in the soil.
This vast array of bee species showcases the remarkable adaptability and variety found within the world of bees.
By nurturing a diverse range of bees through organic farming practices and planting bee-friendly flowers, we can ensure the survival and prosperity of these essential little creatures.
Does beekeeping harm bees?
If a beekeeper follows conscientious practices, harvesting honey won't harm the bees. It's essential for the keeper to minimise stress on the bees during the collection process and only take the extra honey that the bees won't need, ensuring a more natural and sustainable approach.
Their secret life may be small in scale, but the effects of bees' labour are enormous, and for that, we say thank you to these tiny but mighty creatures.
Research
Bees | National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org)
Bumblebee | Description, Species, Life Cycle, & Facts | Britannica
Carpenter Bees | Where Do They Live & How To Identify Them? (beeswiki.com)
Australian Native Bees – The Wheen Bee Foundation
Discover the Sweat Bee, From Physical Characteristics to Unique Behaviors (webmd.com)
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