The Bears and the Bees

There is a secret around the University of Pikeville’s campus that junior biology majors Hailey Cornett and Nicklaus Spangler wish more people knew about. So, what’s all the buzz?

Four years ago, UPIKE Biology Professor Timothy Whittier’s sons gifted him with a beehive, which has since grown to five hives. This home for thousands of honey bees is kept on the roof of The Coal Building and cared for by Cornett and Spangler, under Whittier’s guidance.

Bees are an essential piece of our ecosystem. Even with global efforts to save the bees helping to increase their population numbers worldwide, bees are still endangered. Whittier wishes more people understood how fragile bees can be, but is helping UPIKE do its part to help ensure their long-term survival in the Pikeville community.

“The hives benefit the community, allowing people to actually see the bees that are pollinating local plants and crops,” said Whittier. “People see them working and think they are little robots. Although they work hard, so many things can harm them.”

A short while after starting the bee project on campus, Whittier had a health issue that left him needing more help keeping the hives going.

“Hailey and Nick have been a godsend. When I became ill, they stepped in to help. Since then, they have taken excellent care of the bees,” said Whittier. “They have grown to love the bees, and they are great people, too.”

Cornett and Spangler visit the bees monthly to check on their health and make sure they are thriving. Their responsibilities include giving them food bars if needed and inserting a repellent to keep away mites that could harm them. From Whittier’s computer, the pair can also observe the bees in real-time with the aid of a camera placed strategically at the hive’s entrance.

“My favorite part is being able to look inside the hive and get up close and personal with the bees, learning about their social structure,” Cornett said. “I wish people realized that bees are helpful and necessary for human survival. They arenʼt out to hurt you.”

The duo cracks open the hives twice a year to harvest the honey, which typically takes an entire day and is hard work for these two busy bees. Spangler agrees that sometimes bees can be misunderstood and thinks there is a lot more to bees than just honey.

“I don’t think people understand how important bees actually are. Not just because they produce honey for us to consume, they pollinate crops and flowers of all kinds,” said Spangler. “I feel like we are making a positive contribution to the bee community of Pike County. Their work helps the ecosystem thrive.”

Both Cornett and Spangler are grateful for the opportunity Whittier has given them in this work-study experience and they are sure the lessons learned here will carry through to their careers in the biology field.

After graduation, Spangler hopes to start a career as a wildlife biologist in the swamplands of Florida. Working with bees has helped him learn to be more observant and aware of animal behavior.

“All the knowledge I have gained from taking care of the bees I can use in my future career,” Spangler explained. “I have learned how important each animal is to the ecosystem, and I’ve become more observant of my surroundings. No matter what animal or insect you are studying, learning to pick up on signs and knowing when they are calm, frustrated or agitated is key.”

Cornett has plans to attend a specialized wildlife biology graduate program after graduation and then pursue a career at an animal rehabilitation center.

“I want to help injured animals recover and release them back into the wild when they are better,” said Cornett. “Working with bees has helped me be sensitive to the needs of animals and learn about their own uniqueness and understand their social, behavior and environment changes.”

Bees are making a comeback in population numbers thanks to global efforts like those happening on campus. More people can help bees thrive by planting bee-friendly flowers and lessening the use of pesticides.

By Amy Charles