WE BELIEVE IN CHANGE
One of our main goals here at the Escarosa Beekeepers Association is education. We are not only committed to helping further educate our own members on how to improve and grow their hives, but we are also thoroughly passionate about educating people who are unaware of just how essential honeybees are to the wellbeing of the planet.
At this point, it’s no secret that, though bees sting, they do much more good than they do harm. In fact, honeybees do more good than most people realize. Without the pollination that bees provide, things we take for granted like nuts, berries, seeds, flowers, and fruit would disappear.
PLANT POLLINATION
As they collect nectar for their hives, bees travel from plant to plant spreading pollen that collects on their furry legs and bodies. Aside from the many benefits of having bees in your garden, bees pollinate a shocking 85 percent of food crops intended for human consumption. Research suggests that bees are critical to our environment, climate change and even the production of coffee!
FOOD PREPARATION
Aside from pollinating pretty much everything we eat, bees are the only insect that produce a food consumed by humans. Just one of the many benefits of bees, honey provides numerous vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to our diets. Most notably, honey contains adequate levels of vitamins B1, B3 and B6, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, potassium and zinc.
ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES
In addition to its use as a healthy alternative to sugar in baked goods and cooking, honey has powerful antibacterial properties. It kills bacteria and prevents infection in skin wounds and has been shown to relieve allergies thanks to trace amounts of pollen. Although unproven, it has also been touted as a facial revitalizer with skin clearing and wrinkle reducing powers.
WAX PRODUCTION
Bees house their honey in a fortress of wax honeycombs. As far back as the 6th century A.D., our ancestors used beeswax to make candles, develop cosmetics and even to fill cavities! Today, it is most commonly added to beauty products, wood furniture waxes and concrete polish. It’s also been used to preserve bronze and copper, waterproof leather and in the waxy coating on cheese rounds!
With the help of bees, we are able to enjoy a world that is full of delicious fruits, beautiful bright flowers, and tasty vegetables. In order to continue enjoying these fruits of their labors, we must in turn do our part to help these essential pollinators. On this page, you will find all the resources you need to be able to start your own hive, handle any problems you may encounter with your hive, as well as simply take a minute to learn more about how much bees do for us.
