FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHAT DO I DO IF I GET STUNG?

Honeybees will not generally sting if unprovoked; A honey bee will typically stings under two conditions – either to protect the colony, or when frightened. When close to a beehive avoid flapping your arms and moving rapidly, if the bees are antagonized walk away. When a honeybee stings, the barbs in the lance of the stinger cause the stinger to be torn from the bee. You should scrape the bee sting out with your fingernail as the stinger still pumps venom for some time after the bee has left. After the honeybee has stung she will die.

A small number of people are strongly allergic to bee stings and can become very ill. If there is any shortness of breath, dial 911

2. WHAT DO I DO IF I SEE A SWARM OF HONEY BEES?

Don't Panic! Honeybees in a swarm are docile. They cannot easily sting as they have gorged themselves with honey and cannot get their bodies into the best position to sting. If the swarm is not causing a nuisance then leave it, gradually the bees will cluster in a bush or tree and remain there for up to 3 days. During that time scouts bees will be sent out to look for a new home. If you need the swarm removed please contact a beekeeper.

3. HOW MANY TYPES OF BEES ARE IN A HONEY BEE COLONY?

There are three types of bees in a honeybee colony: a single queen; thousands of workers all of which are females; and hundreds of drones (males). In the early autumn the male drone bees are evicted from the colony and die.

4. HOW LONG DOES A HONEY BEE LIVE?

In the summer a worker bee only lives for about 40 days. As no young are raised over the winter months, the workers born in the autumn will live until the following spring. Bees do not hibernate, they over winter as a strong colony clustered together and using their bodies to generate heat. A queen can live up to 5 years.

5. HOW FAR CAN HONEY BEES FLY?

It is possible for bees to fly as far as 5 miles for food, however an average distance would be less than a mile or two from the hive.

6. HOW DO I PROPERLY RE-LIQUIFY RAW HONEY IF IT CRYSTALIZES?

All honey over time will crystalize. This does not mean that it is bad. To properly re-liquify raw honey, boil a pot of water on your stove. Once the water reaches a boil remove it from the heat. Gently place the jar of honey inside the hot water for 10 minutes or until honey is re-liquified. This will insure that all of the pollen, trace minerals and enzymes remain within the honey. Do not put raw honey into the microwave to re-liquify. This will dissipate all of the natural pollens, trace minerals and enzymes within the product and will change the taste.