Everything you need to know about Bees; FAQs about bees
Bees
Bees are small insects that play a very important role in plant growth, just like wasps. That is, they pass pollen from one plant to another plant while searching for food through a process called pollination.
It belongs to the family Apidae, and they are different types of bees like; bumblebees, honeybees, carpenter bees etc.
They live in group called colonies, and inside that colony, they have the queen bees, worker bees and drones just like they have in wasps.
The queen bee lays an egg and is the leader, the drones are the male, and its work is to mate the queen while the worker bees hunt for food and take care of the hive and the baby bees.
Also, they are very smart, and they can always find their way back to their hive even if they fly far away. They also communicate with each other using sound or with smell called pheromones.
They also do face problems which do cause their numbers to drop and as well affect plants and humans. The problems they face are; their homes being destroyed, and also being exposed to harmful chemicals from pesticides.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What Do Bees Eat?
Bees feeds on two main things which are nectar and pollen. Nectar is a sweet liquid found in flowers, so they collect the nectar from the flower using their long tongue called proboscises, and they also use it in making honey. And the nectar also provides them with carbohydrates, which gives them energy.
Pollen also on the other hand is a good source of protein and other nutrients. They collect the pollen from flowers while they are searching for nectar. They use their hairy body to gather the pollen grains, which stick to them as they move from one flower to another, and later they now carry it back to the hive on their leg.
And inside the hive, the pollen is used to feed the baby bees called larvae and to also make a special food called “bee bread”.
How To Get Rid Of Ground Bees
Ground bees can only be around for a few weeks, so if it’s not causing you any much trouble, you can just let it be. Also, make sure not to disturb their nest, and keep children away from there to avoid been stung.
You can get rid of them by watering the area where they are nesting, though this method is not that sure and might not work sometimes.
Also, you can make use of insecticidal dust or foam that are designed for ground bees like. But it is always best to seek the help of a professional, especially if the bees pose as a threat to you.
Why Do Bee Die After Stinging
When a bee sting, it’s a matter of life and death for the bee. This is because bees have stingers with tiny hooks or barbs on them. So when they sting, these barns get caught on the body of their victim, thereby passing more venom and causing more pain for the victim.
So the problem now is when they try to run away, it’s stinger and parts of the body will pull out. This is because the stinger is attached to the bee’s digestive tract. So it will end up loosing its digestive organ, it’s stinger and part of its abdomen.
And without the digestive tract, the bee cannot eat or digest food, which means it can’t survive for a long time.
But despite this, they still sting, because it’s part of protecting their colony. They sting when they feel threatened or when they feel that their queen or hive is in danger. So they sacrifice themselves to defend their home and family.
Though not all bees die after stinging. Some types of bees such as bumblebees have smooth stingers that don’t get caught. So they can sting many times without dying.
How Long Do Bees Live
The lifespan of a bee depend on its role in the colony just like the wasps.
Read also; What Do Wasps Eat?: Other FAQs About Wasps
In the bees’ colony they have the queen, drones and worker. So the worker bees, lives for just a few weeks since they are responsible for catering for food and taking care of the hive.
The drones which is the male bees also live for a few weeks because its main purpose is just to mate with the queen bee and once they do that, they die.
So the queen bees which are the female bees live much longer than others, they lay eggs and also ensure the continuity of the colony.
Though the lifespan of bees can also be influenced by some factors such as; disease, predators and the availability of food.
Why Are Bees Important
Bees are important for many reasons, which are;
- They are important pollinators. When they visit flowers to collect nectar, they transfer pollen between flowers. And this helps plant to produce and grow fruits, vegetables and nuts. So without them, many plants won’t be able to produce fruit, and it will affect humans and some animals that depend on the plant.
- Also, they contribute to the global economy, and some people rely on it as a means of livelihood, cause many fruits such as apples, almonds and blueberries relies on bees for growth. So these fruits can be sold and in turn generate a lot of money.
- And the most popular one is honey. They make honey from the nectar they collect from the plant. And honey is not just delicious, but it is also used in cooking and in medicine
So this is why it is important to protect them and their hives by reducing the use of pesticides and also planting flowers that a good for them.
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