Bees & Beekeeping Explained

by Baker, Gerard

• ISBN13: 9781846742002
• ISBN10: 1846742005
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-04-22
• Publisher: Countryside Books

Summary

The honeybee not only produces the rich, golden sweetener that we love so much, but it is one of the key pollinators of flowering plants and fruit trees upon which man depends. Today, bees are under threat - largely through human interference and manipulation. By understanding the honeybee it is possible to help both the bee and our wider environment. This book is designed to be a first step in explaining the honeybee and the work of the beekeeper, both in rural and urban situations. Anyone with time and dedication can become a good beekeeper. The rest of us can help by planting bee friendly plants in their gardens, allotments and window boxes.

Author Biography

Gerard Baker is a highly-experienced beekeeper. He describes the complex world of the honeybee with a simplicity and authority that everyone with an interest in the natural world will appreciate. In his role as Food Historian, Gerard has also become a familiar figure on the popular BBC TV series Mums Know Best with the Hairy Bikers.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 4
The Honeybee and the Colony	p. 6
Honeybees, other bees and honey collectors
inside the honeybee colony
the queen
the worker
the drone
Cooperative Living and Honey Production	p. 13
The waggle dance
pheromones
how is honey made?
what should not be present in honey
other hive products
The Lifecycle of a Colony	p. 22
The bee colony in a managed hive
swarming and queen replacement
The Annual Work of the Beekeeper	p. 28
A twelve-month plan
swarm control measures
a note on stings
Setting up as a Beekeeper	p. 34
The modern hive
urban beekeeping
where to put your hive
equipment and clothing
preparing honey for sale
Bee Diseases and Related Problems	p. 46
Bee disease information resources
food related problems
poisoning
parasites of the honeybee
diseases
Colony Collapse Disorder
Gardening for Bees	p. 54
Growing for bees
plant list by month
Glossary	p. 60
Useful Addresses	p. 63
Index	p. 64
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.