Learning about bees is an important part of becoming a successful beekeeper
. Even knowing a few small facts about bees and how they produce honey is essential whether you are looking to set up a profitable business using bees or just take care of them as a hobby.
How bees work - Bee colonies survive by working tremendously hard over the summer months to collect nectar and make honey. In fact, most bees work so hard that they burn their own wings out within around 35 days! After this, they die as they can no longer serve the colony. The honey is made as a back up food for winter when there are fewer flowers around. Being prepared for this by helping your bees out during winter will make sure they do not end up eating their own honey. One great way to do this is by setting up a feeder for your bees that provides them with an alternative food source. This way, the honey will be left alone for you to enjoy!
Types of honey - Traditionally beekeepers sell what is known as liquid honey. This is extracted from the hive using machines and is the more common kind of honey that you will find in your local stores. However, individual chunks of the honey comb can also be sold to select consumers as well. While most people are not willing to seek out and buy this type of honey, it is worth bearing in mind that there is a potential market for it out there.
Is all honey the same? - The flowers that your bees feed from can have an enormous effect on the state of the end product. Knowing this, you can control what your bees eat and make whichever kind of honey you like. Flowers that grow in drier soils end up producing honey that is clear of white, while moister soils will produce a darker honey. You can even make honey in a variety of colors, including red and even green!