Where do bees live? In nature and beyond

Bees are very cooperative and close-knit animals. They live organized in very large groups. Usually each family settles inside a beehive in its natural habitat. The places where bees live , however, are not only present in nature in the wild, but also within beekeepers' farms . In this case the bees settle inside artificial structures called hives . Let's find out more.

How is a beehive composed?

The hive can be defined as a real home for bees . It is a very complex structure built in nature by the bees themselves. A beehive can host from 20,000 to 60,000 individuals and is made up of 3 main classes: the queen bee, the drones and the worker bees. The queen bee and the worker bees are female while the drones are male.

The hive is made up of hexagonal cells that allow bees to store food supplies enough to survive. In addition to this, the cells also house the larvae until they are fully developed into an adult form. The particular hexagonal shape of the cells allows the bees to save wax and space but, at the same time, make the best use of the surface available for honey containment .

The queen bee is the key element of the swarm of bees since it is the only bee capable of reproducing. It is the only one that never leaves the hive. The queen spends her entire life inside the structure taking care of the constant laying of eggs and ensuring the turnover of individuals. When a queen comes out of her hive it is only for very specific reasons such as: mating or in the final phase of her productivity during the swarming.

During this process, the queen abandons her family to make room for a new, younger and more productive ruler. In fact, each hive can host only one queen at a time. When the queen has grown old, she leaves the colony, and settles elsewhere along with a small group of bees who will follow her and help her survive until her last days.

What is an apiary?

The apiary is the place where the hives of Apis mellifera bees are placed. The hives are artificial shelters (wooden boxes) created by beekeepers to house bees. It is an essential tool for beekeeping because it allows for more controllable management of colonies.

Where to place the hives

To identify the ideal place to place the hives it is necessary to follow some basic rules to guarantee the bees health and stability that facilitate as much as possible a good production of honey .

For an optimal location, a location should be chosen where sufficient nectar resources are available for colony development and growth. It is important to avoid places that are too exposed to sources of noise or vibrations, especially those located near busy roads, but it is also advisable to stay away from places where intensive agriculture is practiced or where there is a strong stagnation of humidity. Wind is also a strong enemy of bees. Another important prerogative is to choose places where there are water sources where bees can drink. Alternatively, it is possible to insert special basins or drinkers.

Surely it is necessary that the hives face south and that they are exposed to the sun at least in the morning hours. This favors the resumption of bee activity. It would be great if they received light even in the afternoon, especially in winter.

Natural habitat

In nature, bees build their homes in trees, usually under branches or in hollows that form on trunks. It is important to emphasize that in recent years, the climatic conditions and changes in our planet caused by pollution have made the settlement of bees much more difficult.

Some unfavorable conditions such as the use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture have contributed greatly to weakening these animals. In fact, to encourage its recovery, numerous initiatives have been promoted that involve the adoption of some essential behaviors such as organic farming and the planting of some plant species from which bees provide sustenance.

Plants that bees like

For honey production , bees need pollen and nectar from flowers and plants. Among the plant species from which they supply we find plants such as: Facelia, Melioto, cornflower, cosmea, white mustard, calendula, zinnia and even verbena.

Are you a beekeeper? Do you need to buy queen bees or swarms?

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