The Educator’s Comprehensive Guide to Hosting a Beehive Introducing the newest idea in education: school beehives
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Table of Contents Why bees? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 Success Story: Columbia Public Schools - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 Introducing the bees in your backyard - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 Success Story: YMCA of WNC Youth Services Center - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 Bees vs Wasps
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Many ways to welcome bees to school - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 Basics
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Bee Diseases and Pests
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4 Things to consider before getting your bees - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 Starting a Beekeeping Program
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5 Tips from FIT HIVES at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17 About the Authors- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18 Special List of Recommended Materials- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19 2
Why bees? B
ees are a critical part of our ecosystem. According to experts, 1 in 3 bites of food we eat
depends on bees and other pollinators. Without bees, we would be extremely limited in the types of foods we could eat. From almonds to apricots, blueberries to beef, our diet would suffer without bee pollination. You have probably read the reports: bee populations
have
been
mysteriously
and
dramatically declining around the world. Prompted in part by this news, there has been a spike in the number of school systems working to help the bees. Many schools have created nectar-rich flower gardens to provide more forage for our precious pollinators. Recently, a growing number of pioneering schools have created on-site sanctuaries for solitary bees, Honey bees and other pollinators. These schools are not only helping the bees, but also evolving their curriculum to include pollinator education and provide their students enduring experiences with pollinators. Bee hives are a science class in a box. They will afford your school a perfect vehicle for lessons in Biology, Chemistry, environment, and nutrition right through zoology. They are ideal for connected learning: a unique opportunity to develop practical skills of observation, measurement etc. and to inspire the next generation of sustainabilityminded citizens. If you are an educator with a love of flowers, food, and honey, here is your opportunity to help save the bees and enrich the education of our next generation of citizens.
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Why is it good to welcome bees to your school? • Perfect vehicle for connected learning • Teach biology, nutrition, math and more • Be a sustainability pioneer • You’ll be helping the bees!
Success Story: Columbia Public Schools Columbia, Missouri
Mike Szydlowski K-12 Science Coordinator Prior to the Beehive: “We were worried that there may be an overreaction to the beehive so we worked very closely with the school during this process and they did a wonderful job prepping everybody. They have signs warning people of the beehive and that the nearby door should not be propped open (although they can still use the courtyard if there is not a student allergic to bee stings. This area happen to be a fully enclosed courtyard so we were a little worried on whether or not the bees would go up and over the building to find
bulletin boards, doors, school shirts, etc. It is really great. The beehive is about 6 feet away from a main hallway set of windows. This allows classrooms to constantly view the bees. It is really great to see that even on warm winter days they start to become a little more active. It has been fascinating to watch.” Future
food but they did.”
“The enthusiasm has sparked other schools interest
Bee-Themed
for five additional schools to start this spring. So
“Each year, this school comes up with a theme for the year and this year they picked “Bees!”
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Everything in the school is themed around bees—
in having beehives. So I have purchased beehives the Sponsor-a-Hive grant certainly sparked a huge interest in this learning. We so much appreciate it.”
Introducing the bees in your backyard When most people think of bees, the first bee that comes to mind is the Honey bee. However, Honey bees are only one of about 25,000 species known worldwide. Less well-known are the friendly and efficient mason and leafcutter bees. These solitary bees are gentle, easy to raise, and are among the best pollinators to welcome to your school. Although they are cousins of the Honey bee, there are actually significant differences between these incredible insects.
Honey bees
tireless and beloved
Leafcutter bees Recommended for elementary and grade schools
• Considered a ‘superorganism’, these social bees live in hives of thousands. • Hives that are left alone are gentle. They will defend their hive when the hive is threatened. • Pollinating bees are focused on flowers and will not sting unless threatened. • Can produce a surplus of honey as well as wax. • Beekeeper needed to check on hive.
Recommended for high schools and colleges with support from a beekeeper
• Extremely gentle bee that allows you to get inches from her nesting hole without worry. • Excellent pollinator thanks to her hairy abdomen, which carries lots of pollen. • Stays close to home foraging for pollen and nectar • Does not live in colonies or hives; no need for a beekeeper. • Uses leaves to create her cells, not beeswax. • Does not produce honey or have a queen bee.
• Active spring, summer, and fall.
• Active in the summertime
Mason
nature’s spring pollinator
gentle summer pollinators
Bumble
Recommended for elementary and grade schools
Fuzzy, buzzy, fast
Recommended for high schools and colleges with support from a beekeeper
• Social bees that live in small hives of under 200 bees. • Gentle enough to touch. • Even gentler than the Honey bee and extremely unlikely to sting.
• Hives that are left alone are gentle. They will defend their hive when the hive is threatened.
• Does not live in colonies or hives; no need for a beekeeper.
• Bees gathering pollen and nectar won’t sting unless life is threatened. They are a great garden companion.
• Uses mud to create her cells, not beeswax.
• Beekeeping not needed.
• Does not produce honey or have a queen bee.
• They vibrate flowers to release pollen (“buzz pollination”), which makes them especially effective at pollinating plants in the nightshade family such as: peppers, tomatoes and eggplant.
• A single mason bee is said to pollinate as well as 120 Honey bees. • Active in the springtime.
• Active spring, summer, and fall.
Success Story: YMCA of WNC Youth Services Center Asheville, NC
“At the YMCA, we had an incredible response to the unveiling of our bee chalet. So many questions! The pamphlets that came with our chalet are a wonderful resource. We have set-up a pollinator information center so the kids can continue to investigate while we await warmer temperatures and our mason bees.”
Lily Elder, YMCA of WNC, Youth Services Center, Asheville, NC
Bees
• Hairy body and legs
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VS
Wasps
• Not narrow-waisted
• Smooth–sometimes shiny– body and legs
• Entirely black bodies while others are black or brown with orange or yellow striations
• Narrow-waisted • May be brightly colored with black and yellow patterns
• Can sting only once (then dies afterwards)
• Can sting multiple times
Many ways to welcome bees to school There are many different ways to share the amazing world of bees at your school. The school can install their own bee hives that come in many different forms. A way station garden that includes water and beneficial plants could be planted which will attract bees to your location. Another option is to either have a beekeeper visit your school or take students to visit an apiary.
Honey bee Hives When considering being a Honey bee keeper there are a few hive options to consider. The three most common choices: the Langstroth, Top Bar, and the Warre hives. These hives take into account what is known as bee space. This is the space within a hive that bees will generally avoid joining with comb or “gluing� with propolis. By designing a beehive around bee space, it allows management of the beehive to be much easier for the beekeeper.
The Langstroth Hive The Langstroth hive has maintained much of the same design since 1852 and is the most commonly used hive. The design allows the hive to be expandable and provides easy access for the beekeeper. The Langstroth was the first hive to introduce the use of convenient vertically hanging frames where the bees build their comb. You expand the hive by placing boxes on top of existing ones. These boxes are called supers and come in various depths: deep, medium (honey), and shallow. One of the major benefits of using the Langstroth is the dimensions are standard, making it easier to acquire. Honey harvest usually involves frames that are put in an extractor.
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Top Bar Hive The Top Bar hive is usually a frameless hive that is a long, single horizontal box. Bars are placed in the top portion of the hive and the bees build the foundation vertically downwards. To increase the living space for the bees, there is a follower board that is moved horizontally and more bars are added. Some advantages for Top Bar hives include the hives being at waist level, very little heavy lifting, and no need for storing extra boxes. The Top Bar hives are not standardized so it can at times be difficult to easily get supplies. Honey harvest is accomplished with crushing and straining.
Warre Hive The Warre Hive was designed to mirror the natural setting of Honey bees, similar to a hollow tree. When you increase space for the hive, unlike the Langstroth Hive, the additional boxes are added beneath the existing boxes. The hive does not use frames but rather slats that the bees vertically build the foundation downward. The Warre Hive usually contains a quilt box for collecting moisture. The boxes are smaller, making them easier to lift. Honey harvest is accomplished with crushing and straining.
Observation Hive Observation hives allow you to watch the Honey bees in action. Usually, they are built inside and allow the bees to exit outside from a tube. They can be difficult to service, and most observation hives cannot be expanded as the hive population grows.
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Solitary Bee Homes There are thousands of solitary bee species that help with pollination. Some species include Mason Bees, Leafcutter Bees, and Carder Bees. Solitary bees do not live in social colonies and usually nest in natural materials and settings. Most prefer to nest in empty cavities, and this can be created by making a “Bee Hotel�. This hotel allows the female solitary bee a place to lay and raise their young. Solitary Bees collect pollen and nectar, and place it in the cavity along with an egg. The larva hatches and has food to become a pupae and eventually a new adult.
Pollinator Garden You can study bees even if you do not commit to getting beehives. All you need to do is give the bees a reason to come visit your location. This can be accomplished by planting a pollinator garden. You can provide a way station of food and water for pollinators, which will allow you and your students to observe and study the pollinators that come to get food, water, or take a rest. This garden can include herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and trees. It is important to research the native species from your region as they are instrumental in the survival of native pollinators. Pollinators also require a steady water supply, so if you can provide a place for them to get a drink, you will attract even more pollinators.
Visits A final option to experience and learn about the amazing world of bees, is to have a beekeeper visit your educational facility or visit an active apiary. Most beekeepers love to share their passion for bees and beekeeping. We recommend you contact any local bee clubs, bee organizations, or beekeeping businesses that are in your area.
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Basics Safety One of the first things to consider with beekeeping is safety. Many species of insects have the ability to sting, including Honey bees. It is important to understand, monitor, and in some cases, treat stings. With proper behavior and equipment, stings can usually be avoided.
Stings Most bees, hornets, and wasps have the ability to sting by injecting venom into the skin of their victims. Hornets and wasps are able to sting multiple times unlike Honey bees, which can only sting once due to a barb located on their stinger. These insects usually sting their victims due to a threat to their hive or themselves.
Basic Sting Treatment If an individual has been stung, the first thing you want to determine is if the stinger is still present. If it is, remove it immediately. Once the stinger has been removed or if there was no stinger present, the sting can be treated with ice to reduce swelling. The area of the sting can also be cleaned with soap and water, and soothed with a hydrocortisone cream. Home remedy options include making a paste with meat tenderizer or baking soda and water. To help with reaction or pain, the victim can take an antihistamine and/or a pain reliever.
Severe Sting Treatment Around 3% of people stung by bees have the possibility of an allergic reaction and 0.8% can experience a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. If the reaction is severe, call emergency medical services immediately. Symptoms to watch for include hives and severe swelling, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and in most severe cases, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and a drop in blood pressure. If an emergency epinephrine auto injector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others) is on site, use it right away following the directions.
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How to Stay Safe There are many precautions to help minimize the risk of stings. Some simple solutions are to avoid bright print clothing, sweet/floral smelling perfumes, and wear closed toe shoes with socks. When working around bees it is recommended to wear protective clothing like a bee suit, gloves and veil. It is also encouraged to use a smoker, which helps calm the bees in two ways: it masks bees alarm pheromones, and triggers their survival response. When standing at hives, stay calm and avoid standing in the path of the bee’s entrance. In addition, avoid fast, exaggerated movements. It is always recommended that you have all individuals sign a waiver and share if they know they have an allergy to bee stings.
Swarming Swarming is an intriguing behavior of Honey bees. They usually swarm due to lack of space, also resulting in the colony’s reproduction. The act of swarming involves the existing hive to basically split into two separate hives. Swarming begins with worker bees preparing new queens for the hive. Before the new queen emerges, the existing queen will take up to half of the hive and leave to find a new hive. The first new queen to emerge in the original hive will make sure she is the lone queen, fulfill her mating flight, and take over the colony. The original queen and her followers will find a place to temporally wait while scouts find a new home. Once a home has been located, the bees will leave the resting place and start a new colony.
Swarming for Space Honey bees need space to raise brood, store honey, and to store pollen. When the space begins to become limited, they instinctively prepare future queens for the hive to begin the swarming process. Essentially the bees outgrow their home. The issue of swarming can make individuals nervous. Bees in a swarm, in most cases, are rather docile due to having a gut full of honey. The swarm could remain for only a few hours or upwards to a few days. If schools, businesses, or individuals are worried about a swarm moving into vents or soffits a #8 mesh galvanized hardware cloth can be used.
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Bee Diseases and Pests All living organisms are subject to diseases and have natural enemies. The Honey bee population is no exception. Despite having effective defenses in place Honey bees still fall victim to many diseases and pests.
Diseases Some of the more common diseases are Foulbrood Disease (both American and European), Chalkbrood Disease, and Nosema Disease. Foulbrood Disease is a microbial disease that affects bee brood. It is caused by a bacteria that can spread throughout a hive and into neighboring hives. Symptoms to look for include uneven and irregular brood
patterns,
dark
scales,
larval
remains, and even a foul odor. There are treatments available, but destruction of the colony may be necessary.
Chalkbrood Disease is a disease caused by a fungus and effects the Honey bee larva. It kills the larva, causing them to swell and eventually hardening to a chalk-like appearance. The worker bees will remove the infected larva and can spread the fungus. Beekeepers can help by making sure the hive is well ventilated, remove infected frames, and remove the infected larva from the bottom board and entrance to the hive. Nosema Disease is caused by spores that invade the bees by infecting the gut wall. This causes bees to have difficulty digesting food and shortens their life. When a queen is infected, her egg production is reduced and the strength of the hive is weakened. Symptoms can include dysentery, which is brown diarrhea waste in and around the hive. You may also see bees wandering at the entrance of the hive with their wings at unusual angles.
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Pests Some of the more common pest are Varroa Mites, Small Hive Beetles, Wax Moths, other insects and mammals. Varroa Mites are external parasites of Worker and Drone bees. The reproduction of the mites takes place inside of the brood cells. The mites can be spread from hive to hive due to drifting and Robbing bees. Symptoms include undersized, deformed, or even dead bees. The mites can be seen with the naked eye. There are numerous treatments available for mites.
Small Hive Beetles are small black beetles that can be found in beehives, both in larva and adult stages. The beetles feed on both the nectar and pollen that are stored in hives. If a hive is strong, they can usually keep the beetles in check. Along with traps, treatments and proper storage of equipment beetles can be controlled.
Wax Moths feed on wax and can completely infest and destroy weak hives or stored materials. Adult moths lay eggs in the hive, and the larva eat the wax, form a cocoon, and eventually emerge as an adult. A strong hive can usually keep Wax Moths in check. Prevention is key by properly storing equipment, and traps can deter the adult moths from entering the hive. Other pests can include ants, hornets/wasps, and mammals. Ant severity can vary due to your geographic location. Frequent inspections, stands, and home remedies can help with the management of ants. Hornets and wasps love to attack and rob honey, which can be an issue to weaker hives as it causes bees to abscond (leave). Mice can also become a nuisance in bee hives as they are usually looking for a warm home. In various locations bears can be very destructive.
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4 things to consider before getting your bees 1. Neighbors You may find it valuable to speak with your school’s neighbors to determine if they are planting flowers or using pesticides, which could harm the bees. Although not needed for solitary bees, if you are placing a Honey bee hive, we recommend that you speak with your beekeeper about placing fences or tall hedges in front of the hive to direct the paths of the bee’s flight. This forces the bees to fly up and over, far above the heads of people passing by. This is especially important if your school is in a densely populated area.
2. Location • Sunlight A good location for a bee hive is where they can sit in full sun the entire day. The early morning sun warms up the hive and encourages the bees to spend more time out pollinating. • Elevated Bee homes should be elevated off the ground at least 4-6 inches so as to keep the hives dry and reduce the chance of pests getting into the hives (ants, for example). This also makes it less likely that tall-growing grass or other plants block the entrance of the bee’s home. In fact, rooftops that are one or two stories above ground are excellent locations for bees, especially Honey bee hives. Just note, whether the air is windy, which makes it more difficult for bees to thrive. • Isolated Your bees should not be placed in a location where there is a lot of foot traffic (example: next to a sports field, a parking lot, or a school entrance). They should be near sources of nectar and pollen, such as a garden or an area full of flowering trees. • Visible A good idea is to place the bees outside of a classroom window that is kept closed or has a window screen in place.
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“Our bees are located in a courtyard and right by a window where students can walk by and watch them every day. This has allowed constant discussions and observations of them. It has been a really great experience.” Mike Szydlowski, K-12 Science Coordinator, Columbia Public Schools, Missouri
• Vibrations Unlike Bumble, Mason or Leafcutter bees, Honey bees have a complex communication system that includes pheromones, dance, and vibrations. For that reason, Honey bee hives should be kept in areas away from vibrating machinery like ventilation motors. The occasional vibration will not bother them but, like people, constant vibration is best to avoid. • Water All bees need water and typically gather it from the nearest source. They also prefer standing water that is warm, has some organic material, and that is a shallow pool or has debris that they can safely land on as they take a sip. In order to prevent your bees from visiting a neighbor’s pool, you will want to place a water source near the hive. We recommend a bird bath or pet feeder (aka ‘waterer’) filled with stones or twigs and branches on which the bees can land.
3. Funding It does not need to cost much to host Mason, Leafcutter and Bumble bees. Honey bee hives do require more of an investment. Be prepared to invest in purchasing bee hives, bees, bee suits, hive tools, sugar, medication, and other resources. You will also need a hygienic way to extract and bottle the honey produced by your hive. You may also need to buy jars and labels for your honey. In addition, a refrigerator is needed to store honey frames, and a storage closet is needed to store equipment. Your local beekeeping association may be able to help out with a number of these requirements, which will help you reduce costs.
4. Support Mason, Leafcutter and Bumble bees need very little attention beyond setting up of the home. However, Honey bees do need a high degree of skilled attention throughout the year. They need regular inspections, feeding, and monitoring of their health. Note, that the busiest season in the Honey bee’s calendar happens to be when most schools are on their summer vacation. The support of a local beekeeper or beekeeping club is therefore required. Ideally, your beekeeper will be a staff member invested in the health and success of the Honey bee hive.
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TIP: You can also look into The Honeybee Conservancy’s program, which provides bees, hives and equipment free of charge.
Starting a Beekeeping Program Honey bees provide an amazing hands-on learning opportunity for students. From learning about lifecycles, animal behaviors, pollination, the food system to responsibility, economics and human effects on nature. There will however be hurdles along the way especially in a society that is always focused on liability. Below are things to consider before pursuing a beekeeping program at your facility. The first thing to consider is permission which will need to be explored on a few levels. Before considering Honey bees it is important to make sure the city or town where you plan to put the hives does not have an ordinance against Honey bees. If the city allows bees now you need to move on to permission from the school district which may consider conversations with one or all of the following, board members, superintendent, and other administrators at the both the building and central location levels. It is also important to make sure you include both the staff and community in the planning conversation. A few helpful tips to help administrators to see your vision is to have a clear plan and understanding of how the apiary will benefit students. You could also invite them to see a successful apiary or have a beekeeper come present. It helps to team up with local groups or existing sustainability clubs. If you receive approval you now need to consider location, funding and safety. The location needs to be secure, easy to access and provide a suitable flight for the bees. Place the hives in an area that is not directly around common use areas like playgrounds, ballfields, etc. Honey bees are not aggressive like some wasps and hornets and normally only sting if provoked. Funding for the apiary can be accomplished with fundraisers, grants or from donors. Safety is a key factor when you have an apiary. It would be helpful to conduct a meeting about safety so questions and concerns can be addressed. Stings are always a possibility but they can be greatly reduced with proper education, protective equipment and facilitating an environment around the hive that is calm and quiet. If students have a known severe allergy to bee stings they should not be allowed to work directly with or near the hive. It is recommended to have all participants sign a waiver that explains risks and discloses known allergies.
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5 Tips from FIT HIVES at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) New York, NY
Credit: Smiljana Person, Fashion Institute of Technology Bees fly high at the center of global
sustainability,
including
fashion! Bees impact the clothes we wear, the designs we embrace, the cosmetics we crave. FIT HIVES and The Honeybee Conservancy together are providing students with
educational
workshops
and hands-on training centered around two honey bee hives. With bees as an inspiration, the next generation of responsible and ethical fashion designers can imagine new products.
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Tips 1. Meet with facilities and faculty to get them on board 2. Get faculty sponsor – this can be head of sustainability club 3. Talk to nearby beekeepers to learn how much of a commitment you’ll make 4. Pay attention to what is nearby: other schools, neighbors, flowers, trees 5. Apply for a grant connected with the school 6. Keep the buzz going through social media and events for students & faculty 7. Make the most of existing school events like Earth Day festivals
About the Authors Brian Peterson-Roest, Bees in the D Brian is a fifth grade teacher and was personally honored by President Barack Obama as a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. He was also a recipient of the Michigan Science Teacher of the Year Award. Brian went to the biological center on Beaver Island to learn the art of beekeeping. He took this newfound passion back to Detroit and founded the nonprofit Bees in the D whose mission is to educate on the importance and conservation of Honey bees. The hives are located throughout Southeast Michigan in urban gardens, vacant lots, and commercial rooftops right in the heart of downtown Detroit. https://www.facebook.com/BeesInTheD/ https://www.instagram.com/beesinthed/ https://twitter.com/beesinthed
Guillermo Fernandez, The Honeybee Conservancy A Master Beekeeper candidate, Guillermo is a Marketing executive that has held key marketing roles at People, Vanity Fair and Vogue magazines. He has been an urban beekeeper for nearly a decade, with both honey as well as solitary bees. His story begins in a neighborhood where one in three people lived in poverty: a “food desert�. This experience shaped his belief that every person deserves access to healthy food, including the 29 million Americans living in a food desert. Over time, his childhood experiences merged with his passion for beekeeping. Now, he has a lifelong commitment to advance public education about bees and place bees in communities where they can thrive and pollinate locally grown food. https://www.facebook.com/TheHoneybeeConservancy/ https://www.instagram.com/thehoneybeeconservancy/ https://twitter.com/honeybeetweets
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