Welcome to the "Common Problems" page of our BeeKeeping 101 section. Our goal here is to explain some common questions and problems for the first time BeeKeeper as well as share some of our knowledge about keeping bees and breeding queens. Please call or contact us if you would like us to answer any questions regarding beekeeping for you.
Bee Parasites and Diseases
Bees are susceptible to infectious diseases of both brood and adult bees. There are also two types of parasitic mites that infect colonies. They are responsible for large annual losses in bees, honey, equipment and increased production costs.
For more thorough information on these and other disease, parasites and pests, we highly recommend visiting the USDA Bee Research Laboratory or the University of Georgia.
Will I get Stung? What should I do if I get stung?
One of the common fears associated with breeding or keeping bees is the potential to get stung. Bees will not generally sting if unprovoked usually the bee has been trapped in hair or crushed. When close to a beehive avoid flapping your arms and moving rapidly, if the bees are disturbed, walk away through undergrowth or trees if possible. If stung scrape the sting out with your fingernail as the sting still pumps venom for some time after the bee has left.
The record number of sustained stings one person has had, and survived to count them is 2,243.
What do I do if I see a swarm of bees?
Don't Panic, bees in a swarm are universally in a good mood. They can not easily sting even if antagonised as they
have gorged themselves with honey and can not get their bodies into the best position to sting. If the swarm is
not causing a nuisance then leave it, gradually the bees will cluster in a bush or tree and remain there for up to 3
days. During that time scouts will be sent out to look for a new home, the only problem may be they will choose your
chimney so put your fire/ heating on low and enjoy their visit. If the swarm is a nuisance then the police keep a
list of local beekeepers who can help.
Why do bees make honey?
Honey bees are special in that they over winter as a colony unlike wasps and bumble bees (see Biology). The colony does not hibernate but stays active and clusters together to stay warm. This requires a lot of food stored from the summer before ...honey. Although a hive only needs 20-30
lb. of honey to survive an average winter, the bees are capable, if given the space of collecting much more. This is what the beekeeper wants them to do.
How do bees make wax?
The youngest bees cluster in large numbers to raise their body temperature. Wax producing glands under their abdomen slowly excrete slivers of wax about the size of a pin head. Other worker bees 'harvest' these wax scales and take them to the part of the hive requiring the new wax. Bees use
about 6 lb. of honey to produce 1 lb. of wax.
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