The Buzz on Bees

The plants in my backyard are meant to attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees and birds, with many species that do well during the winter and summer months. I consider myself very lucky to enjoy the sounds of buzzing bees and watching the colorful flights of several species of butterflies every day.  

But the buzzing sounds of bees intrigue me most, and I try to identify the bees based on their sounds. The bumble bee has a very distinct loud and low buzzing sound. According to bee science, the buzzing is created by the bees flapping their wings and for the honey bee, that means 230 times per second, creating the buzzing noise we hear. The bumble bee has a lower and deeper buzz as it beats its wings 130 times per second while hovering over a petal.

BEE-Aware! Knowing the types of bees in your yard keeps you from being stung. A female worker bee is unlikely to sting you since you do not “smell or look” like a source of nectar food. The bee is likely checking you out – so remain calm, and they will leave you alone.  

Busy Bee. Just how far does a honey bee fly to gather nectar, pollen and water from your backyard? The typical foraging radius is one to two miles. Yes, water is essential to dilute the honey and cool the hive during summer. I leave out a very shallow “bird bath” container for butterflies and bees. And when not collecting these resources, bees are building and protecting the hive.  

BEE-Safe when dealing with swarms or hives. Knowing that a hive could be within my morning walks, I keep a lookout for signs nearby. I’ve seen small swarms coming out of water meters, cable boxes, near construction areas and palm fronds. Just last week, a three and a half feet active hive was discovered at a rental property next door. We contacted the owner and suggested that the hive be relocated rather than “destroyed.” 

The initial reaction to hives from landscapers is NOT preservation of the hive but spraying pesticides or other chemicals to destroy it. It is considered an easier method. Luckily, the realtor/property manager called Jorge Valencia of the Bee Boyz Company.

According to Jorge, it was a large hive with an estimated 250,000 bees and looked like it had been on the branch of a Norfolk Pine Tree for several months. Jorge removed and relocated the hive to a place managed by the Florida Forestry Service in the Everglades where the queen bee could relocate the hive to available boxes. 

Here are some important Bee Facts:

The queen runs the whole hive. According to Jorge, if the queen is an angry queen, the hive will be an angry hive.

Worker Bees are the females and most likely the ones you see foraging in your garden.

The male bees are drones, and their role is to mate with the queen.

For me, the best honey is from a locally known beekeeper. It can be a hunt but you might be able to find one at your local Farmer’s Market but ask questions - do they use chemicals to treat their hives? Do they filter or heat their honey? Ideally, you’d like pure natural honey that came from the bees one day and in a jar in your hands the next day, natural and unprocessed. Unfortunately, some shady farmer’s market retailers will sell you a jar of “runny honey” with added “corn syrup” and you are none the wiser.  

What about honeycomb? It is a matter of preference. It contains raw honey, unfiltered and unprocessed and for me it is honey in its purest form. Just scoop it out with a wooden spoon and add it to a piece of toast. It also goes perfectly with blueberry yogurt!