By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Bees won't sting you unless you provoke them. Even if you don't mean to, that's when they temporarily stray from being one of man's best friends. . Lillian Allred found out the hard way when she accidentally pinned a bee against her leg while tending to the hives she has in her family's back yard in Spanaway. Another tip Allred is happy to pass along as an amateur beekeeper and a member of the Pierce County Beekeepers Association: If a swarm of bees roosts at your home, don't try to kill them with sprays or some other method. "Call the fire department, and they'll call the beekeepers association to have someone come get the swarm," Allred said. "Beekeepers love swarms. More bees." Honeybees, the object of beekeepers' affection, bring balance to people's lives and their environment. Gardens flourish thanks to the pollinating efforts of these social insects. More bountiful fruits and vegetables attract other polinators and birds, including hummingbirds. As much as bees do for everyone in general, the buzz is more personal for beekeepers, whether they're professionals with hundreds of hives or backyard hobbyists. Franclyn Heinecke, a certified master beekeeper and spokeswoman for the Pierce County association, said working with bee colonies is zen-like. "There is nothing quite like the hum of a contented hive and the fragrance of the wax and honey they produce," Heinecke said. "And then you get to eat some of what the bees produce under your care - honey. Not to mention that honey from your own hives makes a spectacular holiday gift for family, friends and neighbors. Or you can use some of the wax to make your own lotions, lip balms and candles." Bees give back so much, Heinecke said, that many beekeepers consider their hobby "the most interesting ever." . To introduce others to the joys of managing bugs in a box in a yard, and to restore declining bee populations, the beekeepers association sponsors courses for beekeeping certifications. Participants learn about basic bee biology, seasonal management, the stages of healthy colony growth, and how to deal with pests and pathogens that affect the honeybees and colonies. Rookies receive hands-on experience and can get mentoring from more experienced beekeepers. Monthly speakers to the association cover such topics as feeding bees; raising queens; and getting the most out of colonies' honey production. Renzy Davenport teaches the beginning beekeeper class. He is a certified journeyman beekeeper with more than 10 years of experience, including commercially. When he isn't talking about and tending to bees, he works in the Air Force training office for Western Air Defense. More information about Davenport's classes is available at http://www.pcbeekeepers.info/classes-and-events/apprentice-classes. Allred, 14, is one of the association's youngest members but well-versed after just two years of beekeeping. She has made presentations at association meetings and was the 2013 recipient of the association's student study grant, which is awarded annually to a teenager to encourage future beekeepers through mentoring, education and equipment. Heinecke said Allred is "extremely articulate and enthusiastic" about beekeeping. "I love talking about it," Allred said. "I won't be a professional beekeeper, but I'll always have bees." She got started when her father, Michael, came home from a fair with information about beekeeping. She now has three "very low-maintenance" hives and checks them every couple weeks to be sure they're doing well. The experience fits her career goal of becoming an environmental scientist.The high school freshman, who is homeschooled and attends Bethel High part-time, noted bees have a prominent role in the environment. "The way the world is today," with pollution in some countries making pollination of certain natural foods difficult, "bees are man's best friend," said Allred, who admits she "used to be so afraid" of them. Not any more.
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment