Discover more about honey bees
As the Cheerios commercial reminds us, the time has come to talk about bees and to share some myths and facts about these creatures. The library will be hosting local bee enthusiast and beekeeper Chelsea Sherbut for a presentation called “Swarms!!! Learn More about Honey Bees” on Monday, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the Theatre Gallery at the Main Branch.
• Did you know bee swarms benefit the bee colony by moving space within a hive?
• Did you know when an old queen leaves the colony she is followed by about 60% of worker bees?
• Did you know swarming bees are docile?
Chelsea and her husband, Jeff, have kept honey bees commercially and recreationally for the past seven years. She has a Bee Master certificate through the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, 2012 and believes native bees are especially worthy of our attention. By attending this session with Chelsea and reading a bit more, you may become enchanted with bees. In his book called “Bee Time, Lessons from the Hive,” Mark L. Winston explains, “Like us, honey bees represent a pinnacle of animal sociality. How they submerge individual needs into the colony collective provides a lens through which to ponder human societies.” Here are a few other titles to explore: “50 Ways to Save the Honey Bees (and change the world)” by J. Scott Donahue — the author says for those wondering where to start, it’s possible to begin with simple contributions like sharing a link on social media or buying local, organic foods, while more intense steps can include gardening, building habitats and beekeeping!
“Beginning Beekeeping, everything you need to make your hive thrive” by Tanya Phillips — This guide explores how to create self-sustaining hives, with minimal intervention from the keeper and how to maximize the benefits of a backyard hive for a more vibrant garden.
“100 Plants to Feed the Bees,” provide a healthy habitat to help pollinators thrive by Jennifer Hopwood, Jillian Vento, Jarrod Fowler and Eric Lee-Mader — Readers will learn about the requirements of each plant, growing zones, bloom time and the kinds of pollinators attracted. Geographical coverage is well balanced across the United States and Canada.
“Beekeeping, a handbook on honey, hives & helping the bees” by Joachim Petterson — the author says around the world it is becoming more common to find a hive or two in urban spaces and suburban backyards.
“The Backyard Beekeeper, an absolute beginner’s guide to keeping bees in your yard and garden” by Kim Flottum — this book outlines the best location to place your new bee colonies for their safety and yours, and details organic and nontoxic ways to care for bees.