What we can learn from bees, or 5 enviable bee characteristics

(Photo: Pixabay)

On the occasion of Bee Day, BeoBee Apiary has collected 5 enviable characteristics of bees that we humans could also learn from them.

Teamwork
In the world of bees, there is no singular number. They all have their own role – they include worker, nectar collector, builder, honey collector, collector, guard, nurse… – so together they create the whole. In this perfectly organized social structure, they perform their work in sync with each other, and the goal of each individual is the common good.

Peaceful coexistence
Nearly 50,000 bees live in a bee colony in the summer, and there are still no divorces or cancellations. Each work process and role is related to the other, and for this they “see”, it is important that they carry out their tasks in peace. Therefore there are no conflicts either; they work in perfect harmony with each other.

Endurance
A bee pollinates approximately 450,000 flowers during its lifetime, which is also surprising because they live only 6 weeks per season. For 1 kg of honey, they have to fly about 18,000 kilometers, which is the same as traveling from Budapest to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. It’s tiring for us to even think about it, but even jet lag doesn’t bother them.

Care
When the bee collects nectar, it does not do it for itself, but because it is essential for the survival of the hive. The nurse bees also do their work selflessly, caring for the eggs with unceasing care. In this organized society, the protection of the queen bee is also of paramount importance: the worker bees feed her with royal jelly for the rest of her life. They are kept clean and cared for, and even the temperature of the colony is adjusted to the needs of the queen.

Precision
Bees are the greatest architects of the animal world, and the hexagonal honeycomb they build has already inspired countless architects! It’s no coincidence, since the hexagonal cells can be compacted evenly next to each other, allowing the most efficient use of the available space and thus the storage of the largest amount of honey. “Bees are surprisingly intelligent animals; they adapt to their environment and tasks extremely efficiently and successfully thanks to their social behavior, their ability to find information, and their problem-solving skills. We have something to learn from them! Let’s think about this when we eat their gift, a delicious spoonful of honey.” – said Attila Gál, the lead beekeeper of the BeoBee Apiary in Debrecen.

If in our society we cannot always make use of the good qualities of bees, we can help their work with some

1. Bees are in great need of a safe place where they can live their daily life in peace in winter and summer. It might be a good idea to make a bee hotel where they can rest.

2. Bees love clean, rich gardens. Plant plants that produce a lot of nectar and pollen. The majority of pollinator-friendly plants also feel comfortable in a balcony box, so we can protect them even if we only have a balcony or windowsill.

3. Don’t drive them out of the garden! We avoid the use of toxic pesticides, as pollinators are very sensitive to pesticides.

4. If bees live in our area, do not disturb them unnecessarily and avoid vandalizing the hives. Do not let pets or children near them, it is stressful for both.

5. Let’s buy honey and beekeeping products from Hungarian producers! With this, we can support the work of beekeepers and contribute to the survival of domestic apiaries.