why we need the bees

Honeybees help humans in many ways.  They give us honey, other bee products, and they pollinate our food, flowers and forests.  With all the good things bees have given to us, it is our job to help the bees by reducing pesticide and herbicide use, planting bee friendly gardens, and supporting our bee keepers.

Beekeeping is practiced all around the world, and can offer many benefits to the community.  Beekeeping can offer a source of food, income, and more.

The best known bee products include honey and beeswax, but other products like bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly, venom and live bees are becoming more popular.

• Honey ~ Honey bees drink nectar from flowers and store it in a honey crop, a stomach-like organ.  When they return to the hive, it is removed and spread over the wax comb to help the water evaporate from the nectar.  Enzymes added by the bees, help turn the the evaporating nectar to honey.  Once it starts to become thick, it is sealed in a comb cell with wax.
• Wax ~ Bees wax is in many different products we use every day.  Bees wax can be made into candles, and found in furniture polish, can protect metal tools from rusting, lip balm, soap, crayons, waxed thread, food wrapping, cheese making, modeling clay, and more.
• Bee pollen - small granules made up of flower and tree pollen that feeds young bees.  Bee pollen is also used by humans for a variety of health benefits.  It is a rich source of protein, vitamins and antioxidants, supports the immune system, is antibacterial, can help people who suffer from allergies, and can help with skin blemishes.
• Propolis ~ This sticky substance is sometimes known as "bee glue."  It is made from bee saliva, tree saps, and wax, and helps protect the hive from mites and bacteria.  Humans use propolis for the antibacterial properties and other health benefits.  Propolis has also been used to polish and protect musical instruments.
• Royal Jelly - Digested pollen and honey that is used to feed bee larva and adult queens.  It has been shown to have many health benefits for humans and bees.
• Bee Venom - Is being used in to desensitize people who suffer severe reactions to bee stings (immunotherapy), and by people with rheumatoid arthritis, nerve pain, multiple sclerosis, swollen tendons, and other muscle issues.

 Check out this great post about how bees effect our lives:  How bees impact our food

Interested in making some good things with honey?  Check out the National Honey Board for good recipes to try. https://www.honey.com/recipes