Tom Slavin will be presenting a program at the Poestenkill Historical Society on beekeeping which involves the maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives by humans. A beekeeper (or apiarist) keeps bees in order to collect their honey and other products that the hive produces, to pollinate crops or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers. A location where bees are kept is called an apiary or “bee yard.” There are more than 20,000 species of wild bees.
Depictions of humans collecting honey from wild bees date to 15,000 years ago. Simple hives and smoke were used and honey was stored in jars, some of which were found in the tombs of pharaohs such as Tutankhamun.
In the United States, movable frame hives are commonly used. While knowledge of the bees is the first line of defense, most beekeepers also wear protective clothing. The face and neck are the most important areas to protect. Defensive bees are attracted to the breath, and a sting on the face can lead to much more pain and swelling than a sting elsewhere. Protective clothing is generally light colored and of a smooth material. This provides the maximum differentiation from the colony’s natural predators. Stings retained in clothing fabric continue to pump out an alarm pheromone that attracts aggressive action and further stinging attacks. Washing suits regularly, and rinsing gloved hands in vinegar minimizes attraction.
Please attend our meeting and learn more about what Tom has to say regarding today’s beekeeping. The event is free and will be held at the Town Hall, Route 351, in Poestenkill on Tuesday, November 25, at 7 pm. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 283-4890.