Information about honey
Why Bees Cannot Be Sociopaths Bees are often compared to humans because of their complex societies, teamwork, and communication. But when we use human terms like “sociopath” to describe animal or insect behaviour, it can create confusion. Sociopathy is a human psychological condition, and bees cannot be sociopaths. Here’s why. What Is Sociopathy? The terms … Read more
Insecticides in South Africa and How They Kill Bees Farmers in South Africa use insecticides to protect crops from destructive pests. While these chemicals improve yields, they also pose a major risk to bees, which are essential pollinators for both crops and natural ecosystems. Understanding how insecticides harm bees is critical for sustainable agriculture and … Read more
Human vs Honeybee Senses – The Difference Humans and honeybees both rely on senses to survive, but the way these senses work reflects very different needs. Humans are generalist mammals who use senses for social life, safety, and tools. Bees are small insects living in colonies that depend on foraging and hive communication. Human Senses … Read more
Cape vs African Honey Bees South Africa has two important honey bee subspecies: the Cape honey bee (Apis mellifera capensis) and the African honey bee (Apis mellifera scutellata). Both play vital roles in pollination and honey production, but they differ in behaviour, reproduction, and beekeeping value. Geographic Range Colony Reproduction Behaviour Productivity Climate Adaptation Beekeeping … Read more
Why Bees See Flowers Differently Bees and humans both rely on vision to navigate the world, but what each species sees when looking at flowers is very different. For bees, this difference is not just interesting – it is essential for survival. Bees use vision tuned to ultraviolet light to find nectar, while humans see … Read more
How Do Bees Make Pollen Bread? Q: How do bees make pollen bread?A: Bees make pollen bread by mixing collected pollen with nectar or honey and enzymes inside the hive. This mixture is packed into honeycomb cells, where it undergoes a mild fermentation process. The result is a protein-rich, preserved substance that feeds young larvae … Read more
How Do Bees Make Queen Cells? Q: How do bees make queen cells?A: Bees make queen cells by enlarging standard wax comb cells into large, vertical, peanut-shaped structures. These are built using beeswax and are located along the edges or bottom of the comb. Once built, nurse bees feed selected larvae with royal jelly, triggering … Read more
How Do Bees Make Honeycomb? Q: How do bees make honeycomb?A: Bees make honeycomb by secreting wax from glands on their abdomen. Worker bees chew and soften the wax scales, then shape the material into hexagonal cells. These cells are arranged in a double-sided sheet and serve as storage for honey, pollen, and a nursery … Read more
How Do Bees Make Bee Venom? Q: How do bees make bee venom?A: Bee venom is produced in the venom gland of worker bees and queen bees. It is secreted from a gland connected to the stinger and stored in a venom sac. When a bee stings, the venom is injected into the target through … Read more
How Do Bees Make Propolis? Q: How do bees make propolis?A: Propolis is made by honeybees from plant resins collected from buds, tree bark, and leaves. Bees mix these resins with wax and saliva to create a sticky, antimicrobial substance used to seal gaps, protect against disease, and maintain hive hygiene. What Is Propolis? Propolis, … Read more