Michigan is pollen rich! and the Genesee county area is very pollen rich! Bees need flowers and a water source; have you ever seen bees flocking to a kiddy pool? a dog's water dish? your garden's water fountain? They use water to cool off an over heated hive. Place an alternate water source close by, to divert bees, just wanting a drink and doing their job.
Yes, bees have jobs. If you didn't see the Bee movie, it's a good start. There is 1 Queen per hive, and everything revolves around her! She can mate with several suitors, and she maintains a hive of 50,000 to 60,000 bees during the Spring/Summer pollen season. Her main role is babies. Other bees feed the babies, other bees clean the hive, other bees scout out flowers, and dance the directions out in a ritualistic transfer of information.
Bees will fly up to a 5 mile radius to seek out pollen sources, and Buckwheat and Orange Blossoms, are favorites! Most favorable is a food source within 1-2 miles. Water carriers can make up to 100 trips a day, with 50 being the norm. The many details and information on Beekeeping, while very detailed, are tried and tested... Honey has been found in the pyramids!
Man has been robbing Bees of their Honey for centuries, and learning to maximize the relationship all along the way!
If you are a gardener, bees are your best friends.
If you grow flowers, you will have bees visit your yard, because you are serving a free lunch! If it blooms, it has pollen; and even grasses offer some pollen.
The Mid-Michigan Beekeepers' Club (MMBC) meets the first Thursday of the month. Dues are 5.00 per year MMBC next meeting March 3rd, 2012; with this month's meeting, February 2nd, serving newly interested beginners. The January meeting had approximately 46 attendees, with about 20 new faces, from a variety of locations! For more information Contact: Wilda Dodder MMBC Treasurer 7444 N. State Rd. Davison, MI 48423
A Honey Festival is in the organization stage, Imlay City area.
A Honey and Beekeeper Convention will be held in Lansing area.
Quebec City Beekeeper Convention November 15th - 19th, in Quebec, Canada
MBA Michigan Beekeeping Association established in 1865, is the oldest continuously operating agricultural organization in Michigan.
******** Bee information and education *********
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mid-Michigan-Beekeepers-Club/140268416019480?sk=wall
American Bee Journal Bee Culture
The Speedy Bee Magazine
More on beekeeping to come, with updates on festivals, conventions, and meetings.
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