suppose this : You ’re brand new to beekeeping . You ’ve just begun this pop and apace grow hobby , and you ’re obtain a lot of info . Beekeepers are an opinionative bunch , whether they share their experience , expertise and advice in mortal , through books , or online . Yet you ’re hearing conflicting advice . How is a individual new to the practice to tell good advice from beekeeping myths , half - truths and rumors ?
If you ’re inclined toward natural beekeeping , there are a few beekeeping traditions that are slowly creeping into the district of “ myth . ” We ’ll debunk some of those the right way now .
1. Top Bar (Kenyan) Hives Are More “Natural”
Top Bar hives have found popularity with certain community in Kenya because they are low-priced , easy to make and gentle to manage . Harvesting love does n’t want expensive equipment , so it is ideal for lower - income communities — apiarist simply cut and crush the comb . But among the top beekeeping myth is that this bodily structure is more natural than others . Top Bar hives command the queen to lay in a horizontal pattern , when her natural instinct is to move upward along the brood comb to lay her eggs . In this way , theLangstrothand Warre Hive design mimic her natural demand better . But there is no perfect beehive define up — each has its draw and challenges .
2. You Must Use Foundation
In a traditional Langstroth hive , super are fill with wooden frames , and within those frames are beeswax or plastic groundwork strip show . These strips have a hexagonal rule print on them , with the intended purpose to encourage bee to build their wax comb on the instauration , making it easy for you to manage and harvest honey . The trouble with this is manifold . First , while the wax is the lesser of evils , it is of unknown origin and might bear harmful chemicals or pesticides . The charge card is knotty because it is a nonrenewable resource and emits chemical substance when heated or cooled importantly . ( recall that the inside of a beehive is very warm — usually around 92 degrees Fahrenheit . ) Most concerning to natural beekeepers is the fact that the hexagonal shape forces bee to build their wax cells to that specific size — which is the sizing of worker brood comb . But it does n’t account for the fact that queens must lay lagger comb . Drones bet an of import persona in the world of honeybee , and it is n’t up to us to decide how many pilotless aircraft are present in the beehive . That ’s up to the queen . Which brings us to the next myth .
3. Drones Are Useless; Don’t Let the Queen Rear Them
Many beekeeping myths assume that we know well than the bees about their need , and this one is no exception . It also assumes that the drones ’ role is not critical when , in fact , it ’s very important . drone must couple with world-beater ( yours or neighboring faggot ) for the queen to have enough sperm to lay for her lifetime — and be a unattackable matriarch to your settlement .
4. You Must Use the Maximum Number of Frames Per Super
Supers , the box that make up the Langstroth beehive , are built to hold up either eight or 10 physical body . They are designed this way to account for “ bee space”—the amount of space that bee leave between their comb and around their beehive so they can get through . It ’s just enough to move about , but not so much that any space is wasted . The idea that one must use all eight or 10 frames is among the vulgar beekeeping myth . Beekeepers often put seven form in their eight - skeleton supers , or nine human body in their 10 - frame super . The result ? Bees make each physical body slightly fatty with coxcomb , which can allow them to store more beloved than in lean frames .
5. All Bees Sting
Workers ( female person ) are the stinging members of the hive . Queens have stingers , but use them only once — on their queen rivals briefly upon emerging out of their pansy cells at birth . Drones do not have stingers and can not prick .
6. If You’re Allergic to Wasps, You Can’t Keep Bees
While people with allergies and sensitivities to wasps can have fuss with honeybees , the truth is that honeybee venom and wasp spitefulness is different . It is possible to have an allergic reaction to one and not the other . See your doctor and allergist for necessary examination and more information .
7. Feeding Bees Sugar Is Bad
Giving your bees sugar syrup certainly is n’t idealistic . In a perfect populace , you keep enough honey on hired hand to feed back to your bees if the need arises . However , in a pinch , kale sirup will keep your bees alive if they demand it . And living bee eating shekels syrup is preferred to starve bee any sidereal day .
As you read up on the deportment and habits of bees and pick up more about beekeeping , either rude or ceremonious , be open to various viewpoints of traditional practices . “ We ’ve always done it this way ” is no longer sufficient grounds for continuing a pattern , in beekeeping or otherwise . Ask doubt , doubt opinions , and be sharp and savvy when beekeeping on your own . practice good judgment and instincts , and you might just cease up debunking quite a few myths of your own .
