Note: This text is excerpted from Keeping Bees and Making Honey
by Alison Benjamin and Brian McCallum (David & Charles, 2008;
128 pages; $19.99). Click here for more info or to purchase.
Bees are fascinating, industrious creatures. They live together
in a complex community and are incalculably important to the
cycle of like, pollinating a large percentage of the crops we
eat. One of the main reasons we decided to keep bees is that we
wanted to help the environment by providing a home for nature’s
master provider. Beekeeping isn’t a labor-intensive activity.
For the most part bees look after themselves and our role is to
make sure the colony is kept healthy and has the space it
requires. After all, bees have been getting by without us for
millions of years, so you will find that with little
interference they will happily produce all they need—and a bit
of extra honey for you. The work involved varies with the
seasons. In winter there is little need to check on the hive.
The occasional visit just to make sure t