As spring approaches, a really important thing to address is bees. There are many of us who enjoy products of the bees, yet we are frightened at the sight of them. If you enjoy eating anything with honey, the sight of flowers, or various things made from beeswax this is an article to learn more about them to better understand the product you are using and why we should protect bees.
Bees are actually very intelligent instinctually. That gives them an advantage. A part of this instinct is to protect. If bees had feelings they wouldn't want to sting, however it is just for protection. When the bee stings, the entire stinger falls out and then kills the bee. Since they are aware of this, its a last resort defense. From prior exposure to bees they won't sting unless provoked. I know that it's startling to be confronted with a bee, but don't swat! Just continue on your business, paying attention to not get in the way of the bee for it may feel threatened. Most of the time it will continue on its search for pollen.
I for one, really enjoy flowers. It's my favorite thing about spring. Seeing wildflowers on the side of the road or bundles of bouquets at the store they always bring a smile to my face. A crucial part of the pollination phase is up to the bees. When the scavenger bees go out to find pollen to make honey, they store it on the back of the hind legs and, while flying, particles fall out of the sacs below. This process helps fertilize the flowers and procreate. Without the bees there to help spread the pollen, the pollination process would take place a lot less.
When defending the hive, there are a few different tactics that the bees take. One of the ways is propolis. This is a sweet to the smell and sticky to the touch that traps other bugs and insects. This very substance is used in various ways of homemade and store-made insect traps. When I lived in a dorm room, ants were a common unwelcome guest. I had ant traps placed strategically around the room which seemed to help stop the problem. Propolis ant traps were the best ant traps I experimented with that helped my problem.
If you are like me and enjoy a good stick of Chapstick, some of my favorites have been made from beeswax. It seems to me that more brands are jumping on the band wagon and creating these chapsticks to help soften the lips from beeswax. Beeswax has a lot of great uses and is very versatile. It can be used to make candles, help preserve foods, it's found in makeup and skin products, and can be used to protect against skin irritants.
Personally, I have taken for granted the products of the bees not really knowing how much work is put into simple staples like honey. Bees add so many little highlights into my day and you will be able to see them on your own if you start looking. This spring, let's appreciate the fresh honey, flowers, and, of course, the bees. Save the bees.
