FAQ:
How Many Hives Does LU have?
At our pollination center, we have between 9-12 hives at a time, not including our specialty hives like the observation hive. That number may change due to swarms (bees leaving to find a new hive), colony collapse, or splitting hives that get too big. Although the numbers fluctuate between hives, a health hive in the summer contains about 50,000 bees. In the winter the number of bees in the hive drops to about 10,000, just enough to keep the hive warm. You can visit our observation hive to see the bees up close.
At our pollination center, we have between 9-12 hives at a time, not including our specialty hives like the observation hive. That number may change due to swarms (bees leaving to find a new hive), colony collapse, or splitting hives that get too big. Although the numbers fluctuate between hives, a health hive in the summer contains about 50,000 bees. In the winter the number of bees in the hive drops to about 10,000, just enough to keep the hive warm. You can visit our observation hive to see the bees up close.
Will I get stung?
Bees don't want to sting you just as much as you don't want to be stung! Honeybees sting in self defense and tend to only do so when they are trapped with no other option (i.e. when they are stuck in clothing, hair, stepped on, etc.) The honeybee's barbed stinger is connected to other internal organs and when they sting the organs connected to the stinger get pulled out, which kills the bee. If you have never been stung before it is important to always visit the hives with someone else in case of an allergic reaction to the venom.
Bees don't want to sting you just as much as you don't want to be stung! Honeybees sting in self defense and tend to only do so when they are trapped with no other option (i.e. when they are stuck in clothing, hair, stepped on, etc.) The honeybee's barbed stinger is connected to other internal organs and when they sting the organs connected to the stinger get pulled out, which kills the bee. If you have never been stung before it is important to always visit the hives with someone else in case of an allergic reaction to the venom.
Why are the bees dying?
This is exactly what we would like to know! So far, researchers have identified Varroa (V. destructor) mites and other parasites, pesticide usage (specifically the use of neonicotinoids and pyrethroids), pathogens, and loss of habitat, as sources contributing to the increases in hive deaths we've seen in recent years.
What's the difference between Queen Bees and Worker Bees?
Here is a helpful diagram:
Here is a helpful diagram:
How do honeybees make honey and wax?
Honeybees collect both pollen and nectar from flowers. When the bees get back to the hive, they transfer the nectar mouth to mouth until it becomes more concentrated. While the nectar is inside the bees, it mixes with an enzyme that gives it anti-bacterial properties, making honey a very stable substance. The honeybees store their collection of nectar inside of the wax comb where they further concentrate the nectar by fanning their wings, reducing the water content to about 17%.
Wax is made from sugars the bees digest from their honey and secret from special glands in their abdomens. It takes about 6-8 pounds of honey to make 1 pound of wax!
What are the different parts of the hive?
Pictured to the side is the classic Langstroth hive, the most common type of hive in the U.S. We have around 9 of these hives at our pollinator center.
The bottom board supports the hive. We place a removable board in the bottom board to catch and clean out any droppings, including mites.
The hive body (or deep or brood box) is where the queen lives and lays her brood eggs. Each box contains ten frames for the honeybees to build their comb on.
The extracting super (or simply super) is where the bees store their honey.
The inner cover provides ventilation and a secondary entrance to the hive.
The outer cover protects the hive from rain and other contaminants.
Pictured to the side is the classic Langstroth hive, the most common type of hive in the U.S. We have around 9 of these hives at our pollinator center.
The bottom board supports the hive. We place a removable board in the bottom board to catch and clean out any droppings, including mites.
The hive body (or deep or brood box) is where the queen lives and lays her brood eggs. Each box contains ten frames for the honeybees to build their comb on.
The extracting super (or simply super) is where the bees store their honey.
The inner cover provides ventilation and a secondary entrance to the hive.
The outer cover protects the hive from rain and other contaminants.
What can I do to help the bees?
To help our honeybees (and native bees too!) you can: participate in No Mow May, avoid using pesticides on your lawn, wait to rake your lawn until temperatures have been above 50F for a week, advocate for local legislation to ban the use of pesticides and allow for No Mow May, support local beekeepers, and encourage your friends and family to do the same!
beekeeping Resources:
The University of Minnesota Bee Lab
The Minnesota Bee Lab provides helpful manuals on beekeeping specifically for keeping bees in northern climates (like Appleton, WI!)
Let It Bee Inc
A great store for all your beekeeping related needs here in the Fox Valley!
Maine State Beekeepers Association
A helpful month by month guide to beekeeping in the state of Maine (a similar climate to Wisconsin means the seasonal practices reflect what we do here)
Wisconsin Sustainable Beekeeping
One of many Facebook discussion groups where both pro and newbie beekeepers share tips, comments, question, and concerns about their hives
The Minnesota Bee Lab provides helpful manuals on beekeeping specifically for keeping bees in northern climates (like Appleton, WI!)
Let It Bee Inc
A great store for all your beekeeping related needs here in the Fox Valley!
Maine State Beekeepers Association
A helpful month by month guide to beekeeping in the state of Maine (a similar climate to Wisconsin means the seasonal practices reflect what we do here)
Wisconsin Sustainable Beekeeping
One of many Facebook discussion groups where both pro and newbie beekeepers share tips, comments, question, and concerns about their hives