Call to arms for Huddersfield’s beekeepers
Aug 13 2010 by Kevin Core, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Call to arms for Huddersfield’s beekeepers
“This is why beekeepers use normal smoke on the bees before they open the hive. Being woodland animals they smell smoke and think they have to head in away from danger so they fill themselves up with honey.
“Then it’s pretty much like we feel after a big Christmas lunch – you get a bit sleepy.”
Unlike wasps, bees only sting as a last resort to protect themselves or the hive.
As their stings are barbed, using it often tears off the back half of the insect so for the bee it’s curtains.
Paul explained that the construction of the hive, with the queen at the bottom, allows beekeepers to harvest the honey, the by-product that has made the animal popular for centuries.
He said: “Workers naturally store their carbohydrate food nectar above the brood. They turn the nectar into honey by concentrating it, reducing the water content and changing the sugar composition with enzymes.
“We can collect it because we manipulate them so that they store as much of the nectar as possible above the queen.”
Beekeepers harvest the honey by spinning their honeycomb frames from the hive in centrifuges.
This can be on a massive industrial scale but Paul’s six “stocks” of around 40,000 bees each provides ample honey for family and friends. Industry wise it can mean 60,000 bee journeys for a pound of honey.
The crisis hitting the world’s bee population however means more people than ever are needed to help the creatures which have played such a role alongside mankind.
Paul said: “One way people can help is to plant bee-friendly plants such as thyme, berberis, cotoneaster and crocuses.
“Obviously having your own hive could help too.”
The meeting for prospective beekeepers takes place at The Methodist Church, Carr Lane, Slaithwaite, on Wednesday, September 8 beginning at 7.30pm. cost of entry is £2.50 and booking is advisable.
There will also be details of an introductory course running in the winter.
To get involved call Paul or Yvonne on 845219 or 643314.
