As the days get longer with the onset of spring, the mass
of bees clinging to the combs start to feel the slight
increase in temperature, and the cluster begins to move.
Those bees on the outside of the cluster move into the
warmer centre of the group, and those on the inside start
to move to the outside, making their way to venture out
into the world again.
The beekeeper, who should by now be watching for signs of
activity, will be pleased to see these first emissaries
coming out of the hive. First one or two, then a few, then
many will find their way out. They don't go far, or stay
out for very long initially. Just re-aquainting themselves
with their surroundings, and gathering strength before
getting back to the daily grind withing a few days.
Gathering food for the hive.
At this time the Queen is stirring, she produces a
pheromone which tells the hive that breeding time has
started again. General activity then spreads throughout the
hive. The Queen moves from cell to cell, starting in a
small circle. Examining each one, and when satisfied laying
an egg in it. These eggs are looked after by "nurse" bees,
who lavish care and attention on them. After three days the
eggs hatch, and the resulting grub is is fed by the nurses
for five days on honey and pollen collected from flowers
the previous season, and stored for the purpose.The cell is
then sealed with wax, and kept warm by the nurse bees
until, after a week, a perfect fully formed new bee
emerges. To share the various labours and to participate in
the busy life of the hive. In the meantime the Queen has
enlarged her brood, moving onto fresh combs. The population
is increasing apace, with new bees emerging constantly.
Within the hive, those bees whose job it is to produce wax
from the building of new combs, have fed themselves from
the stores of honey. They form into compact clusters,
generating the high temperatures necessary for them to
produce it. This wax is prepared in the mouth, then
transferred to the "builders" to make the comb. The comb is
an amazing piece of engineering, having the shape and form
which gives the greatest possible strength, with the least
expenditure of materials, time, and labour.
Other bees are the sanitation crew. Their job entails
general cleaning of the hive. They remove the winters dead
bees. Also any dead cells, which could be a cause of
infection in the hive. The floor, which over the winter
will have aquired a carpet of broken comb, pollen pellets,
and dust, is swept. Making everything ship-shape in
preparation for the new season.
Still more "sentry" bees are employed around the entrance
to the hive in order to ensure that only bees from their
own hive are allowed entry. They will vigorously defend
their hive against any attempt by robber bees, wasps, and
any other would be thief to gain access to their colony and
it's riches. Any beekeeper who has witnessed their sentries
in action against marauders will know they will give their
lives for the good of the hive, and they do.
After only about three or four weeks the hive is in full
swing, and the beekeeper is looking forward to another
prosperous summer.
----------------------------------------------------
Chris Haycock is a successful information publisher with
many hobbies and interests. One such interest is the
fascinating world of beekeeping. If you would like to find
out more you should go to http://secretsofbeekeeping.com
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