In the Hazel Wood: The Bee’s Knees
Friday June 11th, 2010
The Bee’s Knees
by Jon Wurtmann
“Look, Dad, I know a lot more about animals than you do,” swaggers nine-year old Peter, “Let me take the lead here.” While I appreciate the confidence garnered from his many hours of reading, there is also a thrum of paternal trepidation because the animals in question can turn quickly, and painfully, on precocious youngsters.
We are about to install a hive of honeybees.
The installation site is also problematic for a hasty retreat, as we are rather snugly gathered on a second floor balcony, with one narrow exit, and some 14 kids and adults. On the plus side, our host is a doctor.
There is a new wooden hive set up on a few pavers to keep it dry, and a screen crate about the size of a shoebox that’s quite literally buzzing. Inside, 15,000 (!) bees have been sprayed with sugar water to keep them docile. The queen is in a separate, matchbox-sized crate. We will watch as the queen and workers are placed into the hive, to begin a new colony in their new lodgings.
Dr. Steve Dempsey and his wife Jenn of Saratoga Springs have been amateur beekeepers for just over two years, and have learned to be quite comfortable around Apis mellifera or European honey bees. Their three young children, Hugh, 9, Norah, 7, and Cara, 3, seemed unfazed by the proximity of a few thousand bees, and wander about as if this is a litter of cute puppies.
“Do I look cool?” Steve asks, donning his iconic mesh helmet/veil. A unanimous and resounding “NO!” echoes forth from all the children, who are opting for less coverage, only one or two children put on veils or a pair of long-sleeve protective gauntlets to keep young hands and arms safe. Peter opts for the gauntlets, but not the veil. Again, my parental warning system is on high alert.
“They’re not territorial during the transfer,” Steve assures us, “So it’s an inherently safer time to observe the hive up-close.” I remain highly curious and highly apprehensive for the kids, and yes, myself.
With a half dozen “helpers”, Steve opens the top of the empty hive and shows us the inner sanctum, comprised of some ten frames hung vertically down into the box. These frames will provide a place for the bees to construct their multi-purpose wax combs, in which they will store pollen, create honey, and lay eggs. In time, he will harvest both the beeswax and the honey.
Steve then opens the screen crate quietly, carefully. “They don’t like loud noises,” he says. He then scoops out a handful of the clinging bees as easily as if he’s scooping leaves from a gutter, and places them into the hive. A few fly around and inspect the crowd, and land here and there on the onlookers, who have been instructed not to swat, but rather softly blow away the bees who land on your skin. There’s a palpable excitement that runs like a small electric current through the parents and kids alike.
Peter extends his gauntlets out, inviting bees to land on him, and the DeWeese kids; Jack, Brett, and Brooke also tentatively host landings on their veils, gloves and shirts. No one is stung, much to the relief of the parents. Steve then removes the queen from her royal crate and places her inside the hive, and closes the lid. The other bees will locate her in the dark hive by her scent, and assist her non-stop duties of laying eggs for the next four years, even though the workers will live a scant six weeks. This hive will now become their home, and indeed, they will defend it if necessary. Steve advises that we exit the porch to allow the bees to adjust to their new surroundings.
Jenn Hunt Dempsey reflects on the compassion and empathy that her children display toward their bees. “The most important thing I see my kids getting out of keeping bees is a sense of stewardship of life,” she says, “When I see them scoop up a dying bee, in an attempt to rescue her, it’s clear to me what a strong instinct kids have to cultivate other living things. I also love how they have learned that nature is something to be respected, not feared.”
In the backyard apiary, Steve shows off his established hive, from which he and Jenn harvested 40 pounds of honey last year. We watch as the bees come into the opening and take flight – off to find nectar. We see bees returning too, loaded down with “saddlebags” of bright yellow pollen attached to their legs. We are advised to watch this hive from the side, rather than directly in the flight path.
Jeff and Jennifer DeWeese are particularly attentive because they too, have been bitten by the bee-bug, and currently have their own crate of 15,000 bees buzzing inside their car. With Steve’s help, they are about to install their first hive back at their place immediately after watching this exhibit.
Later, Jeff reports that it all went very smoothly as the kids sprayed sugar water to help keep the bees calm during installation, and only one sting occurred. The kids boast that with their new puppy, Jagger, they have the most pets in their neighborhood, at 15,001.
On the way home, I ask Peter if he’s glad he came along to help install the bees. “Oh yeah,” he says, “Did you see how cool it was when I had all those bees on my arms?” “Yeah, that was cool. You certainly know lots about animals.”
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Jon Wurtmann is a freelance writer and creative director. He runs Wurtmann Advertising in Saratoga Springs. See more of his work at http://www.landing.net, or email him at
Bee-sources
• A fun fact sheet for kids and adults can be found at: http://www.betterbee.com/resources/funfacts.html
• Links to other sites about honeybees and making honey can be found at http://www.betterbee.com/resources/beelinks.html
• Local beekeepers associations throughout North America can be found at: http://www.beeculture.com/content/whoswho/
• And local to Saratoga, we’re lucky to have Betterbee in nearby Greenwich, NY, a combination apiary/farm/store, where you are encouraged to visit and learn about bees, beekeeping, making honey, making beeswax candles, and making honey soap. Contact them at Betterbee, 8 Meader Road, Greenwich, NY 12834, 1-800-632-3379, FAX & INFO: 518-692-9802. Store Hours: Weekdays 9:00AM to 5PM (EST), Saturdays 9:00AM to 1:00PM (EST) website: http://www.betterbee.com/
