Busy-bee Dylan shares his passion

BEES play an integral part in the ecosystem and to acknowledge their role, 20 May is celebrated as World Bee Day internationally.

The Highway Mail spoke to local bee keeper, Dylan Stephen who said he was introduced to the profession by his uncle’s friend.

“At that time I was learning about garden work and was informed that bees play a part in every aspect of the ecosystem. They support the growth of trees, flowers, and other plants.

ALSO READ: Planting a bee-friendly garden

According to Stephen, a third of the world’s food production depends on bees, and that is only human food.

“They also contribute to the pollination of foods that sustain wildlife from other bugs to birds and elephants. They are a key player in our ecosystem, allowing generations of plant life and animal life,” said the Botha’s Hill resident.

With all removals/relocations that Stephen does, bees get moved into a beehive, and then they go to apiary sites that are close to nature reserves, farms or plant nurseries where they are looked after.

“A queen bee can live up to six years, before the colony will make another,” he said.

Growing up, gardening and woodwork always fascinated Stephen so his profession to becoming a bee keeper was a natural one.

Explaining the process of how bees make honey, Stephen said once a bee finds a flower that has nectar, it will drink that nectar and store it in its nectar stomach (located just before their actual stomach).

ALSO READ: Hillcrest resident creates a buzz for children’s bee book

Once they are full, they will return to the hive and give the nectar to another bee that is working within the hive. It will be passed around a few times, between the bees- adding healthy bacteria that gives honey its health properties.

Thereafter, it will be put into one of the cells in the hives. At this point it is still in a liquid state. So they will fan their wings over the nectar cells, to help remove moisture, slowly thickening it. Then once the cell is full and at a moisture content of 16-17 per cent, the bees will cap the wax cell to preserve the honey until they need it.

“A healthy colony of bees in an area with a lot of flowers will produce way more honey than they will need during winter allowing us to harvest the excess,” he said.

He advised people to not chase away bees when they see them hanging around their houses. “They will eventually move, but if they are not comfortable with having them around they should call bee keepers. There are people who are allergic to bees, so it could be dangerous for them,” he added.

Dylan Stephen can be contacted on 064 528 7124.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting