Backyard Bees

Keeping bees is becoming more popular in cities and suburbs as people recognize the need for honey bees and the fun that comes with making your own honey. The more I learned about the honey bee and how critical it is to our food supply, the more I knew I had to start my own hives in my yard. Here are the top reasons you should consider raising honey bees in your backyard:

1. Honeybees are in danger

Almost 30% of the population of honey bees in North America has disappeared in the past few years. Beekeepers have speculated about everything from insecticides to radiation from wires to bee diseases. Although it now has a name- Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD- there is still no consensus on what is causing it. The danger of massive honey bee die-offs is not just that there will be a reduction in honey but that, because honey bees are the primary pollinators of over 30% of the world's crops and almost 70% of North America's vegetable crops, there will be massive food shortages.

Raising backyard bees helps to maintain populations and to allow bees to live more naturally and be healthier.

2. Raw honey is good for you

Although most commercial honey is pasteurized to remove possible contamination, many studies have proven that raw honey contains health benefits that are destroyed when processed. Raw honey contains minerals, enzymes, propolis and anti-oxidants that are used to treat many ailments, including digestive problems and allergies.

Eating local raw honey daily can also prevent allergies from developing as it contains small amounts of the pollens, dusts, and molds that cause most allergies.

3. You can sell honey and beeswax for a profit

Fresh raw honey (especially organic) sells for a premium over the regular store-bought honey. You can sell honey in chunks of comb or as liquid honey once you extract it.

Beeswax is a highly prized substance for many crafts, including candle- and soap-making. If you have a Top Bar hive, your beeswax will be virgin, which commands a premium price.

Raising bees is an interesting and fun hobby that is legal in most municipalities. Check your city ordinances ahead of time. Place the bees where their flight path in and out of the hive is away from sidewalks, driveways or other heavily populated areas. You will, however, want them in a place you can watch them from the window or a chair out on the deck. They are fascinating creatures and will provide you with a lifetime of wonder.

Sources:

Why We Need Bees