May 11: The Buzz on Beekeeping

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Entomologist Gene Kritsky will discuss beekeeping on May 11. Credit: © MSJ/D. Denney





What significant innovation vastly improved beekeeping?


What are the essentials needed for urban beekeeping?

Besides the bees and hives, the urban beekeeper needs to be near a flower and water source. The bees make honey by collecting nectar, which is essentially a dilute sugar water. The bees also obtain their other nutritional needs from the flowers’ pollen, which they also collect.

What are the challenges to urban beekeeping?

A major challenge to urban beekeeping is the legal system. Many communities have zoning laws that prohibit livestock from being raised, and some zoning boards consider bees livestock. In many parts of the country, beekeepers and would be beekeepers are asking zoning boards to change zoning laws to permit bees.

Urban beekeepers also need to educate their neighbors about bees. Many people do not understand the difference between a bee and wasp. Sometimes, when people get stung they assume it was their neighbors’ bee that was the offending insect. This has even led to lawsuits between neighbors. Urban beekeepers need to show their neighbors the gentle nature of bees and lessen the fear that some people might have towards the insects.

Tags: Food