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Apiculture or BeeKeeping

Beekeeping , also known as apiculture, is vital in enhancing food resources and agricultural ecosystems worldwide. Food is the basic requirement for all living organisms to grow and function. As bees pollinate a wide variety of crops, they contribute to the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. By maintaining colonies of honeybees, beekeepers produce honey, beeswax, and other hive products.

Through the careful management of bee colonies and the promotion of sustainable beekeeping practices, beekeepers play a role in supporting biodiversity and enhancing ecosystem services. In this article, you can find the beekeeping class 9 notes, products obtained from apiculture, and more.

Table of Content

Apiculture or Beekeeping

Products obtained from apiculture or beekeeping, honeybee varieties used for bee keeping, colony and castes of honeybee, diseases and enemies of honeybee, importance of beekeeping, working at beehive, conclusion – bee keeping, faqs on bee keeping.

The word ‘apiculture’ comes from the Latin word ‘apis’ meaning bee. Beekeeping or apiculture is the rearing, care, and management of honeybee for acquiring honey, wax, and other substances. Beekeeping has been practiced for centuries and is integral to agriculture, horticulture, and ecological conservation. By managing bee colonies, beekeepers not only harvest valuable products like honey but also play a crucial role in pollinating crops, thereby improving agricultural yields and food security. Beekeeping is a low-investment enterprise.

Honey Bee

Apiculture or beekeeping give us many useful products such as honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom.

  • Honey : It is a sweet, viscous edible fluid consisting of sugars, water or moisture, minerals, vitamins , amino acids , enzymes , and pollen . Honey’s minerals are calcium, iron, phosphate, and manganese. Vitamins present in honey are Pantothenic acid, Biotin, Pyridoxin, Choline, Ascorbic acid, Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin. The color, flavor, and odor of honey usually depend on the flowers from which nectar is collected. 1 Kg of honey contains 3200 calories and is basically an energy-rich food.
  • Bee wax : Bee wax is utilized in the construction of the hive. This wax is used by human beings for numerous purposes such as manufacturing cosmetics, cold creams, shaving creams, polishes, candles, ointments, lipsticks, lubricants, modeling work, etc.
  • Propolis and balms are another gathering of bee from the plants. These substances are helpful in repairing and fastening of the comb.
  • Poison of bees is used in making certain Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines.

The scienitifc name of honey bee is Apis indica. In India, both indigenous and exotic varieties of honeybees are used for the commercial production of honey.

Indigenous Varieties of Honeybees

  • Apis cerana indica F. (Indian bee).
  • Apis dorsata F. (Rock bee).
  • Apis florae F. (Little bee).

Exotic Varieties of Honeybees

  • Apis mellifera (European or Italian bee).
  • Apis adamsoni (South African bee).

Why is Italian bee variety preferred for commercial production?

Italian bee is preferred as it:

  • Provides a higher yield of honey.
  • Have a good honey collection capacity.
  • It has self-defense ability.
  • Stings lesser than that of the local variety bees.
  • Has a longer breeding period.
  • It has a prolific queen with less swarming.

The bee is a social insect. The nest of the honeybee is termed the beehive. Honeybees provide a good example of teamwork and division of labor. A colony of Italian bee usually has a single queen, 40,000 to 100, 000 workers, and a few hundred drones. A caste is defined as the collection of individuals within the colony that are morphologically different from individuals in other castes and perform specific tasks. Based on the roles, there are following three kinds of castes in the colony of bees:

  • The Queen is bigger than other castes of bees in the colony.
  • Bee’s legs are strong.
  • The queen plays a significant role in laying eggs. She lays up to 2000 eggs per day of each season.
  • The queen lays both fertilized (diploid, 2n) and unfertilized (haploid n) eggs.
  • Queen and workers emerge from the fertilized eggs, while drones come out from unfertilized eggs. Thus, queens are larger, they mate, lay eggs, eat proteinaceous food, and often do not forage or defend the colony.

Drone Honey Bee

  • The drone is a haploid, fertile male. Drones are larger than workers and are quite noisy.
  • They are unable to gather food but eat voraciously.
  • They are stingless, and their main role is to mate with the queen and remain in the colony to sleep and eat honey.
  • Their role is only in the breeding season; hence, they are made to leave the hive to save honey from them.

Worker Honey Bee

  • The worker is a diploid, sterile female (i.e., it can’t reproduce).
  • The size of the worker is the smallest among the castes of bees.
  • Workers are the most active members of the colony; they have almost all responsibilities on their shoulders.
  • For various indoor and outdoor chores, the workers are provided with a variety of organs such as hypopharyngeal glands (for secretion of bee milk), wax glands (for building the cells of comb), pollen baskets on their hind legs (for the collection of pollen), sucking type mouth parts (for collecting the nectar), high level of secretion of invertase enzyme (in the honey sac for honey formation) and a sting at the tip of the abdomen (for the defense of the colony).
  • Scavenger Bees: For the first three days, each worker bee acts as a scavenger. Cleaning the walls and floor of empty cells of the colony for reuse.
  • Nurse Bees: From the fourth day onwards, each worker bee feeds the entire brood, like a foster mother, with a mixture of honey and pollen. By the seventh day, it starts producing royal jelly, which is fed to the queen and future queen bees. Nurse bees also perform guard duties. They defend the colony from intruders. They kill the intruder by stinging, but also get killed with the loss of sting.
  • Foraging or field Bees: They explore new sources of nectar (as scout bees). Forager bees collect nectar, pollen, and propolis. Nectar is changed into honey in their crops.

Bee

Also Read : Honey Bee Life Cycle

Honeybees are commonly infected by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa:

Pathogen Disease
Bacillus apisceptious Septicemia
Paenibacillius larvae Brood foul disease
Nosema apis Nosema disease
Entamoeba histolytica Amoeba disease
Acarapis woodi Vahlkampfia and acarine diseases
Wasps, wax moths, mites Common pests/enemies of bees

Paralysis flycatchers, chaffinch, green blue eaters, sparrows, etc., use bee as their meal. Wasps are controlled manually (i.e., by destroying the wasp nests from the locality of apiary). The wax moth is controlled by exposing bees in bee hives to the sun, by increasing temperature. Bee-eater birds are scared away by some device.

Some of the importance of beekeeping are:

  • Enhances pollination of crops , leading to increased agricultural yields and improved food security.
  • Produces valuable hive products such as honey, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly, which have various culinary, medicinal, and commercial applications.
  • Supports biodiversity by maintaining healthy bee populations and promoting the conservation of pollinator species.
  • Contributes to sustainable agricultural practices by reducing the reliance on synthetic pesticides through natural pollination services.
  • Provides economic opportunities for beekeepers through the sale of hive products, pollination services, and bee-related products and services.
  • Plays a vital role in ecological balance by facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants and maintaining ecosystem stability.

There are 10,000 to 60,000 bees in a colony. But all of them do not play a role in collecting nectar. The queen bee and female bees lay thousands of eggs. All larvae of bees are fed on special proteinaceous food, called royal jelly or bee milk, which is secreted by the hypopharyngeal glands of the young workers. And the duration that they fed will decide their role as a worker or queen. The drone bees are male, and they only take part in fertilizing the eggs laid by the queen, and the worker bees do the real work of collecting nectar.

Beekeeping is an important practice that benefits both the environment and humans as a whole. Individuals who keep bees can help to replenish the declining bee population, contribute to increased biodiversity, and enjoy the many products that bees produce, such as honey and beeswax. Beekeeping plays a crucial role in improving food resources by helping in the pollination of crops, increasing crop yields, and enhancing biodiversity. By supporting bee populations through sustainable beekeeping practices, ensure a more secure and sustainable food supply for future generations.

Also Read: NCERT Notes for Class 9 Science Chapter 12: Improvement in Food Resources What is Animal Husbandry? Definition, Types, Role in Agriculture Crop Production and Management Irrigation: Meaning, Types, Methods and Importance

What do you mean by Beekeeping?

Beekeeping or apiculture is the rearing, care, and management of honeybee for acquiring honey, wax, and other substances.

What is Bee Keeping and its Advantages?

Beekeeping involves maintaining honeybee colonies to produce honey, beeswax, and pollinate crops, contributing to food production and biodiversity.

How is Apiculture Done?

Apiculture is conducted by providing suitable hive structures and managing bee colonies for honey production, pollination, and other hive products.

What is the Importance of Apiculture?

Apiculture is important for enhancing crop pollination, producing valuable hive products, supporting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Name the Varieties of Bees Reared by the Beekeepers.

Some common varieties include Apis mellifera (European or Italian bee), Apis cerana indica (Indian bee), Apis dorsata (Rock bee), and Apis florae (Little bee)

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Apiculture Beekeeping

Meaning of apiculture.

Apiculture or beekeeping is a kind of occupation that involves nurturing and looking after bees for the purpose of acquiring bee products like beeswax, honey, royal jelly, flower pollen, and bee pollen. Apiculture in general implies the maintenance of bees belonging to the genus APIs than are honeybees. However, in apiculture, even bees that are not likely to sting are kept for preservation. For example, stingless bees like Melipona are nurtured for honey in the bee colonies maintained by humans. The person who has been given the responsibility to collect honey from bees is called an apiarist or a beekeeper. Their primary duties are to collect flower pollen, bee pollen, honey, and beeswax for the purpose of fertilizing crops and to breed bees in order to sell them to other apiarists. An added interesting fact about apiculture is that the location where bees are kept for livelihood is called a bee yard or an apiary.  

Apiculture Beekeeping                                                       

Products obtained in apiculture the role of bee products is immense in our daily lives as most of the products that we depend on, like honey and wax, are derived from bees. Bee products are instrumental in supplying human beings with the necessary nutrition and sustaining their daily diet. Moreover, their role in generating an income and a source of livelihood for human beings is a fact that cannot be ignored. In this manner, it can be said that bees provide a lot of ecological services to human beings. So it can be safely assumed that if there were no bees, the environment along with its humans would simply fall apart. The paramount products that come from bees are honey and wax. But bees are also known to produce other useful materials like flower pollen, bee pollen, and royal jelly. In many ways, bee products are greatly useful because they can be used in combination with other materials, which in turn increases their credibility as products. The quality of bee products gets enhanced when they come into conjunction with other products and thus that increases their marketing value.

The Chief Bee Products that Form a Vital Part of Human Being’s Livelihood and Daily Diet are

Honey: As we all know, bees create honey from the nectar that they derive from flowers. However, not many are aware of the fact that they store the honey in a honey crop, which is an organ that resembles a stomach. The creation of honey takes a collaborative effort by bees. When one bee returns to the colony, the other bee takes the nectar from flowers and distributes it evenly all over the wax honeycomb. Doing so ensures that the water dissipates fast from the honeycomb. The other bee performs another fundamental duty of spreading invertase which is a kind of enzyme. This enzyme helps to bring the sugar molecules to an adjustable level. Once the sugar molecules become thick they are trapped with wax crap inside a cell.

Pollen: The small male reproduction units that are produced in the anthers of higher flowering plants are called pollen grains.

Propolis: Propolis is an alternative term for bee glue which is a product of the mixture of resins and beeswax accumulated from various twigs and plants. Propolis is used for sealing cracks, shrinking the size of honeycombs, and lining nest cavities. This product is also known to have germ-destroying properties and a useful disinfectant.

Royal Jelly: This is a bee product that is infused with a lot of protein and is provided as food to larvae. Royal jelly works as a source of growing food for the queen bee as it helps her grow significantly bigger than most other bees in her colony. Royal jelly is produced from a combination of honey and dissolved pollen and contains amino acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, sugars, and fats.

Venom: Venom is made up of an intricate combination of proteins and is used in the bee sting. Contemporary research has proved that venom extracted from bees can be useful to human beings.

There are several challenges that are associated with the prospect of apiculture that can affect the health and durability of the colony. The main problems associated with apiculture are the loss of habitat, agrochemicals, pathogens, and most importantly, climate change. Also, there are several other problems related to cheap marketing that lead to alternatives to bee products. There is also a lack of awareness of policies and knowledge related to the practice of beekeeping which is one of the chief impediments of apiculture. 

Importance of Beekeeping

An interesting fact about apiculture and beekeeping is that the products derived from bees’ pollination form an integral part of the food that we eat every day. 

For the purpose of beverage brewing and sporadically serving on special occasions, honey is one of the most preferred products. In some cultural ceremonies, honey is often served as a special product to guests for showing them high regard and making them feel important. In ancient Egypt, honey was used as a beauty product as well as a medicinal supplement. In particular African cultures, honey is often provided as a source of dowry. 

Honey is highly regarded as a wholesome and delectable food product. It can be either consumed as a whole or used as a supplement with other products. Bee brood is an important bee product that works as an important source of food for impoverished children. On the other hand, other bee products like royal jelly and pollen are highly preferred for their rich protein value. 

Apiculture is an important occupation that involves taking care of bees and nurturing them for livelihood.

Beekeeping has an important significance because some of the most useful products like honey, wax, and royal jelly come from bees.

Several bee products like propolis and venom are used for medicinal purposes.

Apiculture is an important source of income for various contributors and shareholders in business as bee products can be marketed quite easily without any extra cost.

Products Obtained

Honeybees are mostly kept for their honey. Aside from that, beekeeping provides us with beeswax. Honey is made from the sugary secretions of plants by bees. Although honey is a common ingredient in many dishes, beeswax has a significant commercial value. It is used in cosmetics and medicine, as well as as a cheese coating and as a food ingredient. It is also a key ingredient in creating candles and polishes for shoes, furniture, and other items.

Common Varieties of Bees

Only those bee species whose names begin with "Apis" are cared for by beekeepers, as they are the only ones that make honey. The following are some of the most commonly farmed honey bee species:

Apis Dorsata: The rock bee is another name for Apis dorsata. It is a massive bee that generates between 38 and 40 kg of honey each colony.

Apis Indica: Apis indica is also known as the Indian bee. It is easy to domesticate, and it is most usually used to make honey. Honey yields 2 to 5 kg per colony each year.

Apis Florea: Apis Florea is also known as the tiny bee. Because it rarely stings, harvesting honey from its hive is simple. Each colony generates roughly 1 kilogram of honey every year.

Apis Mellifera: Apis mellifera is also known as the Italian bee. This species has a highly characteristic dance routine to advertise the availability of food, and it stings less than the small bee. This species is not native to the area, as its popular name implies. However, beekeepers frequently raise it due to the large amount of honey produced.

FAQs on Apiculture Beekeeping

1. What is beekeeping?

Beekeeping, often known as apiculture, is the human activity of keeping honey bees. A beekeeper, sometimes known as an apiarist, is a person who keeps honey bees for the purpose of gathering honey and other hive products such as propolis, beeswax, and royal jelly, pollinating crops, or producing bees for sale to other beekeepers. Stinging or stingless bees can be used in beekeeping. Honey bees are social insects who live in colonies directed by the queen bee. The insects may be quite hazardous, especially when agitated since they can deliver painful stings. As a result, it is important to take appropriate care when interacting with them.

2. What is the importance of beekeeping?

The following are the primary benefits of beekeeping:

Honey is the most nutritionally valuable food on the planet.

Provides bee wax, which is utilized in a variety of sectors such as cosmetics, polishing, pharmaceuticals, and so on.

Pollination is a strong advantage for this plant. Honey bees are the most effective pollinators, increasing the yield of a variety of crops.

According to recent research, honey bee venom contains a mixture of proteins that could be used as a prophylactic to kill HIV, the virus that causes AIDS in humans.

3. What type of agriculture is Beekeeping?

A type of agricultural production is beekeeping. In general, it is referred to as apiculture. The agriculturally oriented nomenclature of beekeeping varies when stingless bees are employed in beekeeping, depending on the kind of bee utilized. Apiculture is a term used to describe the Apis genus of the bees. Apis Mellifera and Apis Cerana are the most regularly kept honey bee species. When speaking and writing about beekeeping, it is often correct to refer to any kind of beekeeping as 'apiculture' due to the intricacy of biological terminology and the difficulty of remembering some of the names. The art, science, and practice of beekeeping cover a wide range of topics related to honey bees and their survival in man-made buildings.

4. Explain breeding in Apiculture?

Beekeepers with extensive expertise and understanding of beekeeping carry out breeding for better honey bee colonies. Honey bee colonies with superior foraging capacity, high beehive product production capacities, calm temperament, illness resistance, and pest or parasite resistance benefit from the selection of genetic stock and its subsequent usage to develop specific genetic features. The last three characteristics are particularly significant since honey bee illnesses, pests, and parasites may cause a lot of harm to the colony and drive up beekeeping costs. Honey bees are prized for their thorough and regular grooming habit, which is thought to help them resist pests and parasites.

5. Where can I find notes and questions on Apiculture?

Vedantu provides students with notes and questions on Apiculture.  This contains topics such as beekeeping, beekeeping benefits, beekeeping products, bee varieties, and much more. Teachers who are experts in their subjects develop the content of Vedantu. Furthermore, the data is structured in such a way that students will have an easier time learning and remembering the concepts. Vedantu also provides students in grades 1 through 12 with study materials and a range of competitive exams. Notes, important topics and questions, revision notes, and other materials are included in the content. On Vedantu, you may utilize all of these materials for free. Students must first register on the Vedantu website in order to access any of these items. You may also use the Vedantu smartphone app to sign up.

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Essay on Apiculture

Students are often asked to write an essay on Apiculture in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Apiculture

What is apiculture.

Apiculture is the science of beekeeping. People keep bees for their honey and other products. Bees are also important for pollinating plants, which helps us grow food. Apiculture is a job for many people around the world.

Types of Bees in Apiculture

There are many types of bees, but the most common in apiculture is the honey bee. Other bees like bumblebees and stingless bees are also kept. Each type of bee has its own special role in the hive and in the environment.

Products from Apiculture

Honey is the main product from apiculture. Bees also make beeswax, pollen, and royal jelly. These products are used in food, medicine, and cosmetics. The bees’ work helps us in many ways.

Challenges in Apiculture

Apiculture faces challenges like diseases and pests that can harm bees. Changes in weather and loss of flowers for bees to feed on can also be problems. People who keep bees work hard to keep them healthy and safe.

Importance of Apiculture

250 words essay on apiculture.

Apiculture is the art of keeping bees. People do this mainly to collect honey and beeswax, but also to help plants grow. Bees are very important for plants because they help them to make seeds. This is called pollination.

Tools Used in Apiculture

Beekeepers use special tools to keep bees. They wear a suit that protects them from bee stings. They use a smoker to calm the bees when they need to open the hive. They also use a hive tool to open the hive and handle the frames where bees build their home.

Benefits of Apiculture

Apiculture is very useful for us. We get honey, which is a natural sweetener. It is healthier than sugar and has many uses in cooking and medicine. Beeswax is used to make candles, cosmetics, and other products. Also, bees help plants to make seeds. This helps our food grow.

Keeping bees is not always easy. Bees can get sick, and beekeepers need to help them get better. Sometimes, bees do not have enough food, so beekeepers need to feed them. Also, bees can sting, so beekeepers need to be careful.

Apiculture is a fascinating activity. It helps us get honey and beeswax, and it helps plants grow. It can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding. By understanding and appreciating bees, we can help them and help our environment.

500 Words Essay on Apiculture

Introduction to apiculture, history of apiculture.

Apiculture has a long history. It started thousands of years ago. Ancient Egyptians used to keep bees in straw hives. They collected honey and used it for food and medicine. In the Middle Ages, people in Europe also kept bees. They used wooden boxes as hives. Today, we use modern hives made of plastic or wood.

Process of Apiculture

In apiculture, beekeepers put bees in a hive. The hive has many small boxes called frames. The bees make honeycombs in these frames. They collect nectar from flowers and turn it into honey in these honeycombs. The queen bee lays eggs in the honeycombs. These eggs grow into new bees.

Apiculture has many benefits. The most important one is the production of honey. Honey is a sweet and healthy food. It is also used in many medicines.

Another benefit of apiculture is pollination. Bees play a big role in the pollination of plants. They carry pollen from one flower to another. This helps plants to produce fruits and seeds. So, apiculture is very important for our food supply.

Another challenge is the use of pesticides in farming. Pesticides can kill bees or make them sick. This is a big problem for apiculture and for the pollination of crops.

Apiculture is a very important activity. It gives us honey and helps in pollination. But it also faces some challenges. We need to protect bees from diseases, pests, and pesticides. By doing this, we can make sure that apiculture continues to benefit us and our environment.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Apiculture (Bee keeping )

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Table of Contents

Introduction to Apiculture

Apiculture involves the care of honeybee colonies for honey production, pollination, or personal interest. Over time, insights into bee behavior evolved from recognising honey production and stinging to revolutionary discoveries in the 17th-19th centuries. These include understanding the queen bee’s role, her unique mating, movable hives, and controlled swarming. Modern practices like wax-comb foundation, honey extraction, disease control, and artificial insemination transformed beekeeping into a commercial venture. Honeybees, part of Hymenoptera are crucial pollinators and honey makers. Some common species domesticated are Five important species of honeybees are:

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  • The rock bee, Apis dorsata (Apidae).
  • The Indian hive bee, Apis cerana indica (Apidae).
  • The little bee, Apis florea (Apidae).
  • The European or Italian bee, Apis mellifera (Apidae).

Colonies operate as unified entities, with specialised roles for the queen, worker bees, and drones.

Apiculture

Honeybee colonies

Inside a beehive, a structured caste system operates, comprising three key groups: queens, workers, and drones. The queen bee mates with multiple drones to maintain genetic diversity. She then focuses on egg laying, potentially living up to five years. Workers handle tasks like foraging, guarding, and tending to the hive, living around six weeks to few months. Drones are male bees with the sole duty of mating with a queen before being expelled. This hierarchical system showcases the specialized roles that enable the hive’s survival and prosperity.

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Honeybees exhibit a complex life cycle that revolves around the queen’s reproductive abilities. The queen’s mating flights ensure genetic diversity within the colony, as she mates with multiple drones during these airborne encounters. Once mated, the queen’s primary role becomes egg-laying, ensuring the colony’s growth and sustainability. Drones, on the other hand, serve a singular purpose: mating with the queen. After mating, drones perish.

When a colony becomes overcrowded, honeybees initiate swarming as a natural means of propagation. During this process, a portion of the worker bees, along with the old queen, leave the hive in search of a new home. This instinctual behavior safeguards the species’ genetic diversity and allows the colony to thrive in a new location.

Foraging and hive activities

Honeybees engage in a variety of tasks to sustain their colony. They collect nectar from blossoms, which they transform into honey through a meticulous process. Bees also gather pollen, a crucial protein source for raising young bees. In the process of gathering nectar and pollen, bees inadvertently pollinate the plants they visit, facilitating plant reproduction. Additionally, honeybees collect water for temperature control within the hive, as well as propolis, a resinous material from tree buds, which they use to seal cracks or cover foreign objects. The efficient collection and transportation of nectar, water, and pollen can result in an impressive accumulation of up to 500 Kg per year in a robust colony.

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Products of apiculture

  • Bee venom – It contains compounds like melittin and apamin with potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Used in apitherapy, it’s suggested to offer benefits such as arthritis relief, improved skin health, and immune support. However, research is limited, and its high doses can cause irritation and inflammation. Further study is needed to fully understand its effects and optimal applications.
  • Honey – It is the prized product of beekeeping, available in various forms. Liquid honey is extracted from the comb, while comb honey is harvested in its natural comb structure. The production of comb honey requires careful management to prevent swarming. Comb honey is produced by placing extra-thin foundation wax frames directly above the brood nest and ensuring timely removal. Creamed honey, a smooth and creamy variant, can be achieved through proper blending and granulation control.
  • Beeswax – It is a valuable by-product of beekeeping, serves multiple purposes. Salvaged from uncapped or unusable combs, beeswax is melted and refined for reuse in comb foundation. Beeswax is also utilized in candles, cosmetics, art, agriculture, and industry. Some beekeepers focus primarily on wax production, as it is a stable commodity with diverse applications.

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Pollination

Bees play a crucial role as pollinators. Their value in crop pollination far outweighs their honey production, with an average bee colony being worth 20 to 40 times more for pollination. Bees are also important for pollinating ornamental plants and various forest and range plants that contribute to the diets of birds and wildlife. Beekeepers strategically place colonies near or within fields for crop pollination, especially in Brassica fields, almond, cucumbers, sunflower, cherries, pear, and apple orchards.

Apiculture equipment and basic techniques

Beekeepers rely on various tools to manage their colonies effectively. The smoker is used to calm bees during hive inspections. A veil protects the beekeeper’s face, while gloves provide protection from stings, especially for newcomers. The hive tool is a versatile instrument for separating frames and hive parts, and the uncapping knife helps open honey cells for extraction. The extractor is a centrifuge used to remove honey from the combs, and it plays a central role in honey production.

The beekeeper’s annual cycle begins in early autumn, involving requeening colonies with inadequate queens and ensuring each colony has enough stores, typically 23 Kg of honey and frames filled with pollen. Some beekeepers use fumagillin to counter nosema disease. Colonies require sunny exposure and protection from cold winds; in colder areas, some beekeepers insulate hives. In spring, colonies are examined to prevent starvation before abundant flowers bloom. Syrup, sugar water, or honey-filled combs are used to save starving colonies. As spring advances, colonies expand, and more supers (comb-filled boxes) are added. Manipulating combs helps prevent swarming. Capturing swarms involves placing a hive beneath and encouraging bees inside. Regulations often mandate movable-frame hives. Requeening entails introducing a new queen gradually to the colony through a screen cage. Queen cages with attendant bees and sugar candy are used.

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Diseases and pests

Honeybees face various diseases, pests, and predators that can threaten their colonies. Nosema disease, caused by Nosema apis, severely weakens adult bees. The mite Acarapis woodi causes acarine disease, affecting bee mobility. The bee louse, Braula caeca, feeds on nectar, while ants, termites, and certain insects disrupt hives. Predators like mice, and bears threaten colonies. Bees can engage in intense robbing behavior. Colony collapse disorder (CCD) remains mysterious, characterised by sudden colony death and loss of adult bees, with potential economic impact on pollination-dependent crops. CCD was first reported in 2006, impacting honeybee colonies globally.

Summary of Apiculture

Beekeeping involves caring for honeybee colonies for honey and pollination. The evolution of beekeeping knowledge spans centuries, from basic honey production to advanced practices. The structured caste system of queens, workers, and drones drives hive functionality. Bee life cycles, swarming, foraging, and hive activities contribute to colony survival. Beekeeping produces various products like honey, beeswax, and bee venom. Bees serve as vital pollinators for crops and plants. Beekeepers use equipment and techniques for hive management, focusing on seasonal cycles.

Frequently Asked Question on Apiculture(Bee keeping)

What is beekeeping.

Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, is the practice of caring for and managing honeybee colonies. It involves activities such as hive maintenance, honey production, pollination services, and disease control.

Why are honeybees important?

Honeybees are essential pollinators for many crops and plants, contributing to the reproduction of numerous food sources. They play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting agriculture.

What are the key roles in a honeybee colony?

Honeybee colonies consist of queens, worker bees, and drones. The queen's role is to lay eggs, the workers perform tasks such as foraging and hive maintenance, and drones are responsible for mating with the queen.

How do honeybees make honey?

Honeybees collect nectar from flowers, which they bring back to the hive and process into honey through enzymatic activities. The honey is stored in comb cells and serves as a food source for the colony.

How do beekeepers manage diseases and pests in colonies?

Beekeepers use various methods to manage diseases and pests in colonies, including medications, hive inspections, and maintaining strong and healthy colonies. Some common pests include mites, wax moths, and hive beetles.

What are the main products of beekeeping?

The main products of beekeeping include honey, beeswax, and other bee-related products like bee venom and propolis. These products have various uses in food, cosmetics, health supplements, and other industries.

How does beekeeping contribute to agriculture?

Beekeeping provides crucial pollination services to crops, increasing their yield and quality. This, in turn, supports agricultural productivity and food production.

What equipment is used in beekeeping?

Beekeepers use equipment such as smokers to calm bees, veils for protection, hive tools for hive manipulation, and extractors to remove honey from combs. These tools help in managing colonies effectively.

How can I get started in beekeeping?

To start beekeeping, one needs to learn about bee behavior, colony management, and safety precautions.

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5. Apiculture or Bee-keeping

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 Indian bee
Rock bee
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Write advantages of bee keeping. - Science

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Some of the advantages of bee-keeping are as follows: (i) It increases the production of honey. (ii) Wax collected from the beehives helps in various medicinal preparations. (iii) They provide propolis and balms that are used in repairing and fastening of comb. (iv) Poison of bee is used in manufacturing of Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicines.

RELATED QUESTIONS

What are the desirable characters of bee varieties suitable for honey production?

What is pasturage and how is it related to honey production?

Explain the role of workers in a bee colony.

Enlist the species of honey bee mentioning their specific uses.

Leguminous plants fix nitrogen in the leaves of the plants.

Drones in the honey bee colony are formed from ______.

The largest member in a honey bee hive is is the ______.

______ is a preservative in honey.

List the medicinal importance of honey.

Assertion: Nuptial flight is a unique flight taken the queen bee followed by several drones.

Reason: The queen bee produces a chemical substance called pheromone. The drones in that area are attracted to the pheromone and then mating takes place.

Rearing of honey bee is called ______.

Name the three castes in a honey bee colony

Name the following:

The largest bee in the colony.

The kind of flight which the new virgin queen takes along with the drones out of the hive.

What are the main duties of a worker bee?

What happens to the drones after mating flight?

Define cross-breeding.

Select the INCORRECT statement.

What is Liquid Gold?

Which one of the following species of the honey bee is an Italian species?

Which one of the following nutrients is not available in fertilizers?

Rabi crops are cultivated from ______to______.

Paddy, maize, green gram and black gram are ______ crops.

A total of ______ nutrients are essential to plants.

______ nutrients are needed in small quantity for plants and are called ______.

Why beekeeping should be done in good pasturage?

Types of pheromones which alert insects from any danger known as:

Which of the following is a correct statement?

Assertion (A): The honey bee queen copulates only once in life.

Reason (R): It can lay both fertilised and unfertilized eggs.

The ______ cells contain honey and pollen.

One kilogram of honey contains ______ calories.

Define the following.

How is the division of labor observed in honey bees?

What are the types of honey bees found in a colony?

How is honey formed?

Which one of the following products of apiculture is used in cosmetics and polishes?

A farmer was facing the problem of low yield from his farm. He was advised to keep a beehive in the vicinity. Why? How would the beehive help in enhancing yield?

Does apiculture offer multiple advantages to farmers? List its advantages if it is located near a place of commercial flower cultivation.

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Beekeeping101

16 Compelling Reasons Why Beekeeping is Important

bee hovering above white flowers of a spirea

Table of Contents

Last Updated on August 6, 2024 by Anthony

For the most part, the majority of people understand the importance of bees instinctively. Honey bees are part of nature that we innately know which, if lost, would leave an ecological hole unable to be filled by any other species. But many people want to know concrete reasons above and beyond what instinct tells them. That’s good. The more that people want to know about beekeeping, the more beekeepers like myself are able to educate them about the importance of these valuable insects.

The best way to explain why beekeeping is so important is to offer a few facts about bees and beekeeping:

  • Bees Make Honey
  • Beekeeping is Comparably Inexpensive
  • Beekeeping is Relaxing
  • Beekeeping is Rewarding
  • Beekeeping Offers a Connection to Nature
  • Bees Are Great for Your Garden
  • Beekeeping is Highly Educational
  • Bees Are Pollinators
  • Farmers Want Your Bees
  • Agriculture Depends on It
  • Bee Populations Are Declining
  • Native Bees No Longer Thriving
  • Beekeeping Knowledge is Disappearing
  • Bees Are Part of The Food Chain
  • Bees Are Counting on Us
  • You Love Honey and Beeswax

Perhaps these facts will appeal to you. Perhaps they will encourage you to take up this wonderful hobby.

Nevertheless, this article discusses why I think beekeeping is important – not just to the individual, but to humanity in general. We must always remember that bees are an integral part of nature; a part that the world cannot live without.

Much of what I have written in this article is directly related to our current understanding of nature. Science has certainly come a long way over the last hundred years or so. As such, we know a lot more about honey bees today than we ever have before. And what we know tells us that we have a responsibility to make sure bees continue to thrive all over the world.

So, while you read my explanation of why beekeeping is good for all involved, I invite you to consider taking up the practice yourself. Beekeeping makes for a wonderful hobby that is, by its very nature, relaxing, enjoyable, and highly educational. It represents an opportunity for you to do something to connect with nature. It is a wonderful substitute for technology, sports, and entertainment.

Indeed, global statistics show that the vast majority of beekeepers are hobbyists who do what they do just because they love doing it. Commercial operations do not contribute as much to the beekeeping community as you might think, primarily because it is hard to make good money doing it. That’s not to say it’s impossible but making a long-term beekeeping business viable takes an awful lot of work as well as a considerable amount of investment.

beekeeper tending hive in field of yellow flowers

Beekeeping remains a popular hobby and profession worldwide. In the U.S., there are an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 active beekeepers as of 2023 , reflecting the growing interest in sustainable practices and pollinator conservation .

In the European Union, recent figures indicate there are about 700,000 beekeepers , showing a significant increase from previous years. This growth is attributed to increased awareness of bee conservation and EU-supported initiatives to promote beekeeping .

Reliable data on the number of beekeepers in South America, Africa, and Asia remains elusive due to inconsistent record-keeping. However, the popularity of beekeeping is growing in these regions due to its economic benefits and the crucial role bees play in agriculture. It is reasonable to estimate that the global number of beekeepers exceeds two million, taking into account the expansion of beekeeping activities and initiatives worldwide .

1: Bees Make Honey

Believe it or not, the number one reason that gets most hobbyists into beekeeping is the fact that bees make honey. This first fact sounds like something Captain Obvious would say. But this does not negate the fact that people pursue beekeeping because they want what comes out of that hive.

Urban Beekeeping - Managing Hives in City Environments

  • Carter, Anthony (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 194 Pages - 02/28/2024 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)

honeycomb dripping with honey

The fact that bees make honey is good. So is the honey for that matter. There is nothing quite like fresh honey taken from your own hive and poured over a batch of warm pancakes. Honey is great on toast, ice cream, and ham fresh out of the oven. It is great for adding extra flavor to your tea and coffee, too. I could go on and on here, but you get the point.

2: Beekeeping is Comparably Inexpensive

In all fairness, it does cost quite a bit to actually get started with beekeeping. You have to buy either established hives or bee kits and the materials to build your hives. You would also need to invest in a bee suit and a couple of tools for cleaning and harvesting. But that’s about it. Once you make that initial outlay, you will spend very little to keep your hives going.

People often gasp when told how much is spent to set up a new hive. But it’s really not that much compared to similar activities. You could spend between $300 and $1000 for every new hive you install. That’s not bad when you consider how much a cattle rancher spends on a new cow. Compared to the costs of husbandry and farming crops, beekeeping is pretty cheap.

BeeCastle 10 Frame Langstroth Bee Hive Coated with 100% Beeswax includes Beehive Frames and Waxed Foundations (2 Deep Boxes & 1 Medium Box)

Beekeeping is also pretty affordable when you compare it to non-agrarian hobbies. Maybe you are a sports fan who buys season tickets for your favorite teams. What you spend on a year’s worth of tickets would take a hobbyist beekeeper several years to spend on his or her pastime.

A hobby like golf, for example, includes ongoing expenses. Your initial outlay may be less if you don’t spend a ton on your clubs and balls, but every round you play will cost you a little bit more. You could easily spend more on golf in a single season than a new beekeeper would spend setting up hives. The following season will see you spending even more. It all adds up over time.

As far as hobbies go then, beekeeping is comparatively inexpensive over the long run. There are a lot more hobbies that cost a lot more than beekeeping, that’s for sure. So for someone looking for an inexpensive hobby that they can do for years on end, beekeeping is a very attractive option.

3: Beekeeping is Relaxing

People tend to take up hobbies they find both enjoyable and relaxing. That’s just part of human nature. Some people play golf because they enjoy the peace and serenity of being out on the course with bright sunshine, warm breezes, and nothing to do but hit a ball around.

Others enjoy hunting because they find being out in the wilderness quite relaxing. More than one hunter has explained that a bad day of hunting – which is to say nothing was bagged – is still better than a good day spent working.

sepia image of beekeeper tending hives

Beekeeping is much the same thing. Scour the internet for beekeeper testimonials and you’ll find a common thread: they find what they do very relaxing. It is really enjoyable to put on the bee suit and head off to clean the hives. Any beekeeper will tell you that there is something unique about going out to tend to hives the first thing in the morning or just as the sun is going down in the evening. The gentle buzz of the bees creates a soothing sound that helps a beekeeper completely unwind by calming the nerves and soothing the soul.

In short, keeping bees allows you a time of respite at least once per week. If you are anything like me then you go out and tend to the bees several times a week just because you enjoy it so much.

4: Beekeeping is Rewarding

Ask me why I keep bees, and I’ll tell you how rewarding the hobby is. The rewards are evident on multiple fronts, beginning with the opportunity to help restore decimated bee populations.

Over the past decade, worldwide populations of European honey bees have faced significant challenges, primarily due to colony collapse disorder (CCD). This disorder occurs when the majority of a colony’s worker bees disappear, leaving behind the queen, immature larvae, and insufficient food for the larvae to mature.

The exact cause of CCD remains uncertain, but research has pointed to a combination of factors, including pesticide exposure, habitat loss, climate change, and pathogens. The round of CCD that started at the beginning of the 21st century was particularly devastating, with estimates suggesting that the world lost upwards of 50% of its European honey bees between 2006 and 2009.

Despite these challenges, bee populations are showing signs of recovery, thanks to the dedicated efforts of beekeepers and conservationists worldwide. Improved hive management practices, increased awareness, and advancements in research have all contributed to this positive trend. Moreover, the banning of certain harmful pesticides in various countries has also played a crucial role in aiding bee population recovery.

Knowing that I am part of this ongoing success story is immensely rewarding. It motivates me to continue my work, not just for the honey and other bee products, but for the crucial role bees play in pollination and maintaining biodiversity. This sense of contribution to environmental health and sustainability is a powerful reason for me to keep beekeeping alive and thriving.

Today, I’m not only focused on European honey bees but am also increasingly attentive to native bee species, which are equally important for ecological balance. Initiatives promoting wildflower planting, creating bee-friendly habitats, and advocating for environmentally friendly farming practices are all part of a broader effort to support all pollinators.

5: Beekeeping Offers a Connection to Nature

Industrialization and the move to cities resulted in a profound change in many countries around the world. In Western nations, the change has been so profound that most people have completely lost touch with nature. Beekeeping changes that. Beekeeping reconnects the keeper with nature in a way that changes how that individual views the world around him or her.

Understand that being a successful beekeeper requires understanding how bees work. It requires understanding their environment, their life cycle , their ecosystem, and how all of that relates to the world around them. There is no beekeeper out there who has not learned a ton about the inner workings of nature as a result of keeping bees, and I include myself in that.

bee on pink blossom

It is important that humanity reconnect with nature if we expect to preserve the planet we have been given. So yes, beekeeping is about more than sustaining bee populations. It is also about teaching people a greater appreciation for nature along with a better understanding of how to preserve it.

It is about more than just keeping hives and collecting honey , though. Keeping bees requires the beekeeper to actually interact with a species of insect that countless other people find unappealing. Where many folk think having bees around is a nuisance, the beekeeper welcomes them with open arms. Beekeepers connect with their bees in the same way a dog owner connects with his or her dog(s).

This might sound strange to those who have never kept bees before. But it is completely natural. Human beings are as much a part of nature as any other creature. We all connect in some way. So being able to connect to nature through beekeeping is completely rational.

6: Bees Are Great for Your Garden

Looking out of your back window probably reveals a bunch of plants and trees. Keeping bees is good for those plants and trees. Remember that bees are pollinators. Having a couple of hives in the backyard will do wonders for all the natural foliage you love so much.

If you are into planting a garden or surrounding the perimeter of your home with flowers, beekeeping is good for that too. Your bees will do what they do naturally to the benefit of every plant or flower you put in place. It is all part of the natural circle of life built into nature.

By the way, most beekeepers are not surprised that their yards are the envy of the neighborhood. People walk by and exclaim how beautiful their flowers are and how lush and green their bushes look.

7: Beekeeping is Highly Educational

Beekeeping is a highly educational experience as well. The learning never ends. Beekeeping education begins with investigating the difference between starter hives and bee kits. It carries on with learning all about queens, workers, and drones. Then there is the bee’s lifecycle, and how that life cycle affects the health and productivity of a hive.

Everything you learn about beekeeping in order to get your operation up and running is just the start. Many novice beekeepers think they are fairly knowledgeable about beekeeping after their first year. Well, let me tell you now that this is a wrong assumption. During the second year, you might learn just how devastating disease can be to colonies. You would then have to learn how to spot the signs of disease and what to do if you ever notice them. You need to learn everything from bee biology to bee psychology in order to prevent colony collapse. To say there is a lot of education that goes into beekeeping is to understate the matter.

Beekeeping for Beginners: How To Raise Your First Bee Colonies

I could go on, but you get the point. The truth is that bees are simultaneously fascinating and fragile. Successful beekeeping involves an ongoing learning process that never ends. To most, that’s good. They love learning, so beekeeping is a perfect hobby for them.

More than one beekeeper hobbyist started out as a child learning about bees for a school project. Those young students were so fascinated that taking up beekeeping in adulthood seemed natural. Many of those same beekeepers now keep doing what they do because they are driven to continue learning.

8: Bees Are Pollinators

Every creature in nature has at least one primary function that contributes to a balanced ecosystem. In the case of honey bees, they contribute mainly as pollinators. What is a pollinator? It is a creature that carries pollen from one plant to the next.  Pollinators are critical  to the existence of plant life.

To understand how this works, consider almond trees . Before almond trees can produce nuts, their flowers must be pollinated within a two-week span at the start of the growing season. Every flower that is properly pollinated will go on to produce a nut.

Nature has devised numerous ways of accomplishing pollination. But honey bees are by far the best pollinators. They go out into an almond orchard in search of food they can bring back to the hive. They fly from flower to flower, grabbing pollen and packing it into highly compressed balls. Every time they land on a new flower, some of what they have accumulated falls into the flower’s reproductive tract.

bee on white blossom

That simple act is that which allows the almond flower to germinate and grow. If no pollen reaches the reproductive tract of a given flower, it does not germinate. If it doesn’t germinate, it doesn’t produce a nut.

So just how important are bees to pollination? Conservative estimates suggest that honey bees are responsible for pollinating more than 30% of the crops human beings grow for our own consumption. Just think about that for one second.

There are other pollinators including bats, butterflies, beetles, and so forth. Even the wind manages to carry pollen back and forth to some degree. But when you combine all of those other pollinators together, they only account for two-thirds of what nature requires. The mighty honeybee accounts for the other third all by itself. That makes bees the heavy hitters in the pollination world. It is no exaggeration to say that bees are critical to feeding humanity.

9: Farmers Want Your Bees

Your average beekeeping hobbyist isn’t in it for the money. Having said that, being able to earn a little extra money on the side is one way to offset the expenses of beekeeping. Some of the extra money you earn could come from farmers who want to rent your beehives for a few weeks every year.

Yes, farmers want beehives for pollination purposes. They are willing to pay good money to rent productive hives if it means increasing crop yields. Trust me on this. There are professional beekeepers who make a good living doing nothing but renting hives to farmers. These are the migratory beekeepers who travel all over the country following pollination cycles.

10: Agriculture Depends on It

Moving beyond small-scale hive rental, the fact of the matter is that  agriculture depends on bees . As mentioned a couple of paragraphs above, as much as one-third of all the agricultural products humans consume as food only grow because crops are pollinated by bees. Think about that for a minute. And when I say agriculture, I am including both raising crops and animal husbandry. The valuable service bees provide to local ecosystems make it possible for farms and cattle operations to succeed. Without the bees, farms would suffer.

According to the Ulster Beekeepers Association in Northern Ireland, no fewer than 39 commercial crops in that part of the world are reliant on bee pollination. In addition, bees pollinate clover and alfalfa. Those two crops are used to feed cattle and other farm animals. A lack of clover and alfalfa would make it more difficult to raise both beef and dairy cattle.

There are other pollinators out there. However, none are as prolific as the honeybee. The large-scale agricultural operations that now feed the majority of the world would not be possible without an army of bees doing what they do. If we want to continue feeding the world, we have to maintain healthy bee populations.

Off the farm, bees are still equally important. Those fields of wildflowers you’ve seen on postcards and in movies only exist because bees are there pollinating. Everything from the fertile valleys of the Swiss Alps to the lush, tropical forests of South America exist because of the hard work bees do. Bees are a critical part of nature that we cannot do without.

bee on yellow stamens of white flower

I previously mentioned the almond tree.  Central California almond orchards  produce the majority of almonds sold around the world. Their trees contain more than 1 trillion flowers responsible for producing billions of nuts annually. As mentioned, the pollination window for almond flowers is a mere two weeks. Without an adequate supply of bees in those orchards, flowers would never produce enough nuts to meet demand. You can bet those almond farmers are very fond of bees and beekeepers. Without them, the farmers’ livelihood would be adversely affected.

Beyond commercial agriculture, bees also pollinate the plants, flowers, and trees occurring in nature. Let’s say you were a beekeeper with property bordering the edge of a forest. What you do is helping to keep that forest alive. That’s kind of cool, isn’t it?

11: Bee Populations Are Declining

Most beekeepers take pride in beekeeping knowing that what they do is helping to at least stabilize bee populations, if not grow them. Unfortunately, a variety of influences have combined over the last two decades to seriously decimate bee populations around the world. We cannot afford to allow those populations to fall any further.

If you are involved in beekeeping as a hobby, you might make a point of keeping up with beekeeping news. One thing you may have noticed in the last few years is an alarming increase in the number of stories detailing how bee populations, in general, are declining all over the world.

A study among British beekeepers a few years ago highlighted a significant decline in the number of beehives over the last century. According to estimates, there were around 1 million beehives in the UK in 1900. By 2015, this number had dropped to just 270,000—a loss of nearly 75%.

While the study did not specify whether these figures included only natural beehives or also those maintained by beekeepers, the decline remains alarming. Beekeeping plays a crucial role in efforts to rebuild bee populations to their former levels. Recent initiatives and conservation efforts aim to reverse this trend by promoting sustainable beekeeping practices, raising public awareness, and implementing policies to protect bee habitats.

In recent years, efforts to monitor and support bee populations in the UK have shown both progress and challenges. According to the 2023 National Hive Count , the number of managed bee colonies in the UK was recorded at 252,577, which is a decrease from 288,311 colonies in 2022​. This data, collected by the National Bee Unit and reported on platforms like BeeBase and Barnsley Beekeepers, reflects an ongoing need for accurate record-keeping and active participation from beekeepers to support bee health and population monitoring​​.

Beekeeping remains crucial for reversing the decline in bee populations. The UK government and various organizations continue to promote sustainable practices and conservation efforts. Initiatives such as the Healthy Bees Plan 2030 and Bees’ Needs Week encourage public participation in simple actions like planting more flowers and reducing pesticide use to boost pollinator numbers and habitat quality​​.

So what has caused the decline? Scientists have been asking that for some time now. Unfortunately, no single cause has been found. I say ‘unfortunately’ because finding a single cause would make for easy correction. But the fact is there are multiple factors contributing to bee population decline.

bees flying near hive

The first cause is something I have previously mentioned: a lack of biodiversity in some areas. A second cause is disease. Just like humans are subject to more diseases today than we were in times past, so is the rest of nature. Disease is part of the evolution of our planet. Unfortunately for bees, they do not have scientists and doctors in their midst. It is up to beekeepers to protect colonies from those diseases that could kill them.

Hobbyist beekeeping is good because it is part of a worldwide effort to restore bee populations. Your operation may not be the biggest in the world, but it doesn’t have to be. Bees are like pennies. A bunch of small operations like yours add up to a lot of healthy bees taking their place in nature.

Bee Decline Due to Colony Collapse Disorder

Getting into this a little further, about 10-15 years ago, beekeepers in the United States noticed something alarming: growing numbers of existing hives were turning up empty. Not only were the bees missing, the hives were not littered with bee carcasses. No one knew what was going on at the time. Unfortunately, the problem was not limited to the U.S.

As soon as colony collapse became big news in the States, beekeepers in other nations started to speak out as well. It quickly became apparent there was something going on across the globe. Science eventually identified the problem as colony collapse disorder (I touched on this in one of the above paragraphs).

No one knows for sure how significantly the world’s bee populations have been affected since 2007. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that as much as 50% of domestic bees in the U.S. had disappeared when the problem was first noticed. Those estimates were pretty similar in other parts of the world. In the UK though, estimates were much higher. Upwards of 80% of honey bees in the UK were victimized by CCD.

So what is this disorder? It is a disorder typified by not having enough worker bees to keep the hive going. Worker bees are the ones that keep both queens and larvae fed, thus they are also the bees responsible for keeping hives alive. Not enough workers mean not enough food. Insufficient food causes colonies to die out.

Causes of Colony Collapse Disorder

There is no single factor that causes colony collapse disorder. In fact, the EPA lists seven contributing factors:

  • Invasive mites
  • Emerging diseases
  • Pesticide poisoning
  • Stress due to poor management
  • Stress that causes immunological problems
  • Habitat changes
  • Inadequate food supplies.

The point of all of this is to say that the entire world has suffered as a result of bee population collapse. Moreover, bee populations are continuing to struggle . An estimated 20% of colonies were lost in the U.S. over the 2015-2016 winter. Canadians lost more than 16% of their colonies while central Europe suffered losses of just under 12%.

While science works on ways to stop CCD, it is up to us as beekeepers to maintain healthy populations. If more people were willing to take up the beekeeping hobby, it is possible that we could increase bee populations considerably.

12: Native Bees No Longer Thriving

The honey bees that do most of the pollination work around the world are actually European bees. For some reason, European bees are much better at adapting to a variety of environments than many other bee species are. This is good because, as discussed above, native bee populations in many parts of the world are no longer thriving.

No one knows for sure why, but an article I read a few years ago suggested that one of the issues native bees are running into is the prevalence of human agriculture. Prior to the large-scale agriculture we now practice, large tracts of land in many parts of the world were incredibly biodiverse. Native bee populations thrived in those diverse environments.

Because modern farming techniques frown on biodiversity, farmland offers a much smaller variety of crops. This is a double-edged sword for native bee populations. Not only is there less biodiversity available on active farmlands but clearing wild areas to create new farmlands further reduces the biodiversity of the region.

It is thought that the reduced biodiversity in many parts of the world is harming native bee populations by reducing the kind of nourishment those bees need. If this is true, it is unfortunate. But there are projects ongoing in many parts of the world looking for ways to restore native bee populations. In the meantime, we can at least take comfort in knowing that European bees seem to do well in almost any environment.

13: Beekeeping Knowledge is Disappearing

Another contributing factor in the decline of bee populations is the decline of beekeeping as an occupation. Look, beekeeping has been practised for thousands of years. It is no different than growing crops or raising cattle. The problem we have in beekeeping is that it is not something that can be done on an industrial scale.

Humanity has been highly creative in turning single-farm agriculture into a large-scale, industrial enterprise. Some of the biggest farms in the world cover thousands of acres and produce millions of tons of food in a single season. We have managed to do the same thing with beef and dairy cattle. Industrial operations manage tens of thousands of animals with the help of automation and computerized equipment. You cannot do that with bees.

a beekeeper tending hive in a field of yellow flowers

At the end of the day, beekeeping is extremely labor-intensive. And because bee populations are so delicate, it is exceedingly difficult for beekeepers to maintain extremely large operations on the same scale as an industrial farm. It just doesn’t work. Most beekeeping operations are small enough to manage with just a handful of people. And forget about automation. There really is nothing about beekeeping that can be turned over to machines.

The Average Age of a Beekeeper

According to a University of Delaware survey taken at the start of the bee population collapse in the States, the average age of a beekeeper was 57. The median age was 56 while the mode age was 47. Stop and think about that for just a minute. If the average beekeeper today is 57 years old, then with all due respect, that means he or she is already on the downhill slope of life. Even if a 57-year-old beekeeper lives into his/her 80s, what is the likelihood he/she will continue keeping bees that long? Statistics suggest the chances are not good.

The reality is that experienced beekeepers are retiring and passing away. Every beekeeper death results in a measure of beekeeping knowledge disappearing from the worldwide consciousness. And without enough young beekeepers coming in to take their place, there is no one to pass that knowledge on to.

This is a scary proposition. There are a lot of things commonly done by past generations that we know nothing about today. Take something as simple as churning butter. That was a routine household chore before the Industrial Revolution took people off their farms and placed them in factories. How many people know how to do it today?

It is no big deal that butter churning knowledge has been lost because we have ways of making butter on an industrial scale. The same is not true for bees. Beekeeping is a highly specialized practice that requires equal parts skill, knowledge, and art. It is not something that can be industrialized so easily.

If we continue to allow decades of beekeeping experience to die along with those beekeepers who possess it, we could arrive at a day when not enough people know how to keep bees. Any serious incidents of colony collapse disorder under such circumstances would be devastating.

It is going to be very difficult for us to increase the number of beehives – both managed and in the wild – if we cannot manage to encourage more young people to start keeping bees. Even keeping bees as a hobby is better than not keeping them at all. But we also need more full-time beekeepers as well.

14: Bees Are Part of the Food Chain

Beekeeping is important to the global food chain as well. There are two things to consider here, beginning with the fact that honey bees do have natural predators. Because of their small size and their tendency to live in colonies, bees are prey to a number of other species. Small birds, mammals, reptiles, and even other insects feed on them.

Collapsing bee colonies are harmful to these other predators because of the associated reduction in their food supply. If there are not enough bees to supply the demand built into nature, those predators have to seek other sources of food. This causes a disruption in the natural food chain that goes right down the line.

The other thing to consider is how bees contribute to human food supplies. Bees are prolific pollinators. I mentioned above that bees are responsible for pollinating up to 30% of the agricultural products that we humans consume as food. A collapse in bee populations makes it harder for farmers to grow what we all need to survive.

In addition, think about all the grain we grow to feed cattle. That grain also depends on pollination. And let us not forget bees pollinating in the wild. Every herbivore that finds its dinner in the field or forest is relying on pollination to keep the menu full. Collapsing bee populations affect their food supplies too.

15: Bees Are Counting on Us

Next is the fact that the world’s bees are counting on us. As the most advanced species on the planet, only humans have the ability to apply science to the current crisis. Declining bee populations are not going to be scientifically addressed by monkeys, dolphins, or any other species. So if we don’t help, there will be no help forthcoming.

Human beings are unique in that we can exercise free thought outside of instinct. Animals cannot. Animals put survival above all else. That is why a grizzly bear has no trouble destroying a beehive in order to get to the honey. A bear does not care that its behavior is also killing bees.

bees on side of hive

Humans have the capacity to look beyond our own survival to find ways to help other species survive with us. This capacity is one of the many things that makes us so different from everything else in the natural world. So again, that leads us to the inevitable question of who else can help save the bees if not for humanity?

We have already seen abject devastation of bee populations over the last decade or so. Populations are starting to come back slowly, but with winter losses still exceeding double digits, there is no guarantee we will ever be able to restore them to previous numbers. But we have to try though.

16: You Love Honey and Beeswax

Last but by no means least is the reality that bees produce both honey and beeswax. Some people keep bees purely because they love honey. It is no different than people keeping chickens for the sole purpose of being able to provide their own eggs.

Keeping a couple of hives is enough to supply all the honey a family needs. There isn’t much money in it, but that doesn’t matter. If you are the kind of person who would put honey on just about anything, having a natural honey producing machine out back – by way of a couple of beehives – is not a bad thing.

You Can Be Part of the Solution

Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two about why beekeeping is so important from this article. If what you have read has piqued your interest in beekeeping, I encourage you to learn more about this age-old practice. You can be part of the solution by taking up beekeeping yourself – even if it is only on a small scale.

Humanity will never save the bees just with a few dozen professionals running big operations. No, it is going to be the collective efforts of small operations and hobbyists that make a real difference. You can be one of them.

Make no mistake, beekeeping is important. It is important to the health and safety of bees, nature’s ongoing cycle of life, and even our ability to grow the food we need to support humanity. Bees are so important that if we do not find a way to stop population collapse, the world is going to suffer big time at some point in the future.

Without them, agriculture would not be possible. Our majestic forests and beautiful valleys would not flourish. We would live in a far different world absent the many benefits bees bring to the ecological table.

So, what about you? Are you entertaining the possibility of taking up the beekeeping hobby? If so, rest assured there is plenty of help out there. Between online resources (such as this website), printed materials, videos, and beekeeping clubs, you can get the support and information you need to make a good go of it. Give it a try and you will quickly discover why beekeeping is so popular with so many hobbyists.

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Beekeeping Disclaimer :

Beekeeping, like any agricultural activity, involves inherent risks. It is important to understand these risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them.

Potential risks associated with beekeeping include:

  • Bee stings: Honey bees are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if they feel threatened or their hive is disturbed. Bee stings can cause allergic reactions or even anaphylaxis in some individuals, which can be life-threatening. It is important to wear protective clothing and follow best practices when handling bees to minimize the risk of stings.
  • Diseases and pests: Bees can be vulnerable to various diseases and pests, including mites, viruses, and bacterial infections. These can have significant impacts on bee colonies, leading to reduced honey production or even colony collapse. It is important to monitor hives regularly and take appropriate measures to prevent and treat diseases and pests.
  • Weather conditions: Extreme weather conditions, such as drought or cold temperatures, can affect the health and productivity of bee colonies. It is important to ensure that hives are appropriately sheltered and provided with adequate food and water.
  • Environmental hazards: Bees can be affected by environmental hazards such as pesticide exposure, pollution, and habitat loss. It is important to be aware of these hazards and take appropriate measures to protect bee colonies and promote healthy environments for bees.
  • Legal requirements: Beekeeping may be subject to local, state, or national regulations, such as registration or inspection requirements. It is important to be aware of these requirements and comply with them.

While beekeeping can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. By following best practices and staying informed about the latest developments in beekeeping, beekeepers can help ensure the health and productivity of their hives and contribute to the well-being of bee populations worldwide.

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Why Beekeeping is Important

​ Whatever your reasons for wanting to keep bees, you should know that beekeeping is fascinating and highly enjoyable, but it’s also vastly important. Some people do it for the delight of watching bees work. Then there’s the amazing crop of honey you can harvest which is probably better than anything you’ll ever find at the store. The challenge of beekeeping brings some obvious rewards. But it’s also an important contribution to your local ecosystem.

So why is beekeeping important? Bees are essential for pollinating plants and crops which in turn provides us with food. Around the world the number of honey bees is on the decline, so keeping bees is crucial to help increase the bee population. Beekeeping is also a skill that is becoming rare and there seems to be a drop in the number of beekeepers around the world.

So why are bee populations suffering ? And why are honey bees important in the first place ?

Let me tell you what I discovered:

The Importance of Honey Bees

For decades bee populations have been in decline. The reasons for this are baffling, but it’s thought that a number of different factors are to blame.

A large number of flowering plants rely on insect pollination where pollen grains are distributed by insects moving from flower to flower. ​

​ (This process is known as entomophily. Flowering plants need to create seeds which will grow to produce the next generation of plants, but this is only possible when pollen is transferred between flowers of the same species).

Bees are fantastic pollinators. In fact it’s estimated that about a third of America’s crops rely to some extent on bees . Some crops are highly dependent on bees and others only slightly. But the food on your plate would be very dull and lacking variety if bees were to disappear.

For example, some plants that get a boost from bee pollination include the following:

  • ​Nuts such as almonds, cashews, and brazil nuts
  • ​Seeds like sunflower, sesame, and flax
  • ​Fruits such as apples, pears, and apricots
  • ​Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries
  • ​Vegetables such as broccoli, broad beans, and brussels sprouts

​Can you imagine a world without blueberry pancakes ?!

I can’t. Mind you… You can keep the brussels sprouts!

These are just a handful of the food plants which rely on bees (if you’re interested you’ll find a more complete list here …)

Keep in mind that bees are also important for the pollination of crops used for feeding livestock , which in turn provide us with meat. So the consequences of pollination go beyond just the crops that we find on our plates.

Not all crops are pollinated by bees of course, but all plants and food crops also benefit from an environment which has a high level of biodiversity where the variety of plant and animal life in a particular area helps stimulate crop growth. So crops also benefit indirectly from the presence of honey bees.

The presence of bees provides an ecological balance by contributing to the well-being of other animal and plant species. This diversity is important for the protection of our environment.

Why are Honey Bees Dying?

For decades bee colonies have been suffering and their numbers decreasing, with commercial honey bee colonies dying at an alarming rate in the U.S. after 2007. The reasons for this decline are complex and it’s thought that a number of factors are responsible for the weakening of bees, including:

  • ​Pesticides
  • ​Poor nutrition
  • ​Loss & destruction of habitat

​This kind of population problem has existed throughout the history of apiculture, but recently the phenomenon was given the name of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). What happens is that the worker bees in a colony disappear, leaving behind the queen bee and a hive which still contains honey and some brood (honeycomb containing infant bees). If all three of these things are present, (honey, brood and a queen) then this normally indicates that the hive is functioning correctly, making the disappearance of the adult bees a bit of a mystery.

​ Pesticides have been suggested as one of the principles causes, and several insecticides (known as neonicotinoids) have been banned in a number of countries as a result.

Parasites such as the Varroa Destructor mite are another potential source of colony destruction. These mites originated in Asia and spread to the United States in 1987, Canada shortly afterwards, and the U.K. in 1992. These nasty little vampires suck the blood of the bees and in doing so transmit disease. A significant mite infection can lead to the death of the colony.

Intensive farming practices have led to the destruction of large amounts of natural forage for bees. This change to the bee’s habitat reduces the diversity and quantity of nectar available for bees, leading to poor nutrition for bee colonies . Nectar is the energy rich food which bees rely on for making honey and as fuel to power flight. When poor nutrition is combined with other environmental stresses such as exposure to pesticides, it’s been found that honey bee survival can be reduced by upto 50%.

Despite all this the situation is perhaps improving. For example in 2017 the U.S. experienced a rise in commercial colonies by 3% and a decline in CCD. Several countries have now banned certain pesticides. New nutrition and dietary supplements for bees have been developed and better pest management methods have been introduced to help cope with parasites.

And new generations of concerned beekeepers are coming forth to help save our furry flying friends!

The Economic Importance of Beekeeping

The plants that we cultivate are an important source of revenue for farmers and essential to the economy as a whole . As the world’s population increases, the number of crops dependent on pollinators also increases year after year. Bees play a very important role in relation to agricultural production. Indeed beekeeping is a vital part of our agricultural system. Apart from crop plants which are highly dependant on bees, the presence of honey bees also improves the quality and quantity of crops in general.

​ It’s estimated that commercial beekeeping adds between $15 and $20 billion dollars in economic value to U.S. agriculture on a yearly basis (Yes that’s a ‘B’ )…! I’ve even read that in Europe bees contribute up to $29 billion dollars to European agriculture.

Commercial hives are rented out on a seasonal basis to pollinate a wide range of crops. Without these services crop yields would fall, food prices would rise, and the surety of agricultural production would be at risk.

Take the example of California’s almond orchards which represent one of the largest pollinating needs in agriculture in the United States. The orchards stretch across 800 acres are are estimated to require 1.6 million domesticated bee colonies to pollinate almond crops.

That’s a lot of bees !

Bee Population Decline Effects   

The decreased presence of pollinating bees represents a danger to our natural environment and our agricultural system .

As you’ve already gathered from the previous paragraphs, part of our agriculture is directly and indirectly dependent on pollination by bees. Successful harvests depend on effective pollination and honey bees are an important contributor. The world’s food supply is therefore at jeopardy by the effects of a decline in the bee population.

A decline in the bee population would also put our ecosystem at risk. Without bees to pollinate the diverse range of flowering plants, those plants might be lost, and the animals who feed on those plants would disappear. In short the biodiversity of our natural habitats would suffer badly.

Why keep bees ?

There are a whole load of direct and indirect advantages to beekeeping. If you’re not yet convinced about the importance of beekeeping then maybe think about the following:

You can help save the bees . Becoming a beekeeper and adding a couple of beehives to your backyard, garden,  or the rooftop of your apartment is a small but non-negligible contribution to the bee population.

Harvest your own honey . One of the obvious benefits of beekeeping is the wonderful crop of honey you get to harvest each season. And you’ll probably find the flavor is superior to anything you’ve purchased in the past.

Beeswax and propolis . Honey isn’t the only byproduct you can harvest thanks to your honey bees. Beeswax can be used to produce all kinds of produce including beauty products. Propolis is said to be antibiotic and anti-inflammatory and to have health benefits such as helping to heal wounds. It’s also used for other complementary therapies.

You can sell some of your produce for a profit . Part of your beehive produce can be sold for profit giving you a welcome supplementary income. In a very good season each hive can produce up to 60 lb (27 kg) of honey! Given that most beekeepers have a minimum of two hives, that’s much more than you can spread on your morning toast each year.

Boost your garden. If you’re an avid gardener or horticultural fan then putting a beehive in your garden will help make your plants flourish. Bees collect from their immediate environment meaning your backyard and the flowering plants it contains. The presence of bees increases your garden’s productivity because it will be well pollinated, thereby increasing the quantity and size of your fruit and flowers.

Bee zen! The majority of hobby beekeepers find this activity fascinating and some people even find it relaxing. The act of beekeeping can bring peace of mind and focus. It’s a rewarding, peaceful, and relaxing pastime.

Beekeeping is easy and simple . Keeping bees requires almost no space if you start with just a couple of hives, and you can successfully start a hive almost anywhere. Apart from weekly visits to inspect you hive during the active season and a flourish of activity when harvesting, beekeeping requires very little time.

Iit seems that beekeepers are an endangered species ! The skills and knowledge of tending to beehives are being transferred to less and less people. Beekeeping enthusiasts help to pass along knowledge and experience that would otherwise be lost.

Oh and by the way… You know those white bee suits people wear when inspecting hives ? Yep… You also get to dress up like an astronaut from time to time!

The world’s most important pollinator

So, because bees are such highly efficient pollinators, we need them to maintain a healthy ecosystem and to help secure food crops for future generations. Beekeeping even at a small scale can help. This fascinating and rewarding hobby even pays you back with harvests of golden honey.

Ask yourself… Where would we be without bees ?

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Write the benefits of beekeeping.

Beekeeping: apiculture is the scientific method of rearing honeybees, also called beekeeping. the word 'apiculture' comes from the latin word 'apis' which means bee. it is the management of honey bees for the production of honey and wax from honey bees. the benefits of beekeeping are: in india beekeeping is mainly forest-based. several natural plant species provide nectar and pollen to honey bees. bee hives do not require additional land space, they also do not compete with agriculture or animal husbandry for any input. they provide honey, which is the most valuable and nutritional food. they also provide bee wax which is used in many industries, including cosmetics industries, polishing industries, pharmaceutical industries, etc. plays an excellent role in pollination. honey bees are the best pollinating agents which help in increasing the yield of several crops. the beekeepers need only to spare a few hours in a week to look after the bee colonies..

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Why beekeeping should be done in good pasturage?

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What is bee-keeping? Write any four point for successful bee-keeping?

Bee-keeping is the rearing and management of honey bees for obtaining honey and beeswax. five points which are important for successful bee-keeping are as followed a) knowledge of nature and habit of bees. b) selection of suitable location for keeping the beehives. c) catching and hiving of swarms (group of bees). d) management of beehives during different seasons. e) handling and collection of honey and beeswax..

  • Only 1 and 3
  • Only 2 and 3
  • Only 1 and 2
  • 1, 2, 3 and 4

Essay on Honey Bees for Students and Children in English

Essay on honey bees.

Honey bees are generally held in high regards in humans despite of their painful sting. This is due to their usefulness as honey producers and the best pollinators for flowering plants. The value of pollination in plants is incalculable. A majority of crops are dependent on pollination by honey bees and other insects. Domestic animals that provide us meat and milk eat the pollinated plants which are dependent on pollination. Thanks to honeybees and other insects to work hard for us.

Why Do Bees Sting?

Believe it or not but when a bee finds nectar-rich flowers, it returns to its hive and informs the rest of the bees in the hive by dancing. There is a special dance to let the others know about where the flowers are. For nearby flowers (within 90 m or 300 feet) the bee does a simple, circular dance. For flowers that are far away, the dance is a figure-eight pattern. It gives the other bees a good idea of where to go for finding the nectar. The angle between the centre line of the figure-eight pattern and the top of the hive, which stands for the position of the sun, indicates the path of the flowers.

Discover more from Smart English Notes

Why I Became a Beekeeper

Through interacting with the world of the bees, we learn more about our own world, and about ourselves.
I can’t help but wonder what the world would be like if we humans organized ourselves as the bees.
My father shared with me the words of one of the beekeepers he respects most: The bees know what they’re doing.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive

Free download of NCERT chapter-wise solutions for class 9 English Beehive solved by expert teachers from latest edition books and as per NCERT (CBSE) guidelines. NCERT solutions for class 9 English beehives is ideal for students preparing for their CBSE Class 9 English exams.

Here is the list of Chapters from the NCERT class 9 English Textbook

  • Chapter 1 The Fun They Had
  • Chapter 1 The Road Not Taken [Poem]
  • Chapter 2 The Sound of Music
  • Chapter 2 Wind [Poem]
  • Chapter 3 The Little Girl
  • Chapter 3 Rain On The Roof [Poem]
  • Chapter 4 A Truly Beautiful Mind
  • Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree [Poem]
  • Chapter 5 The Snake and The Mirror
  • Chapter 5 A Legend Of The Northland [Poem]
  • Chapter 6 My Childhood
  • Chapter 6 No Men Are Foreign [Poem]
  • Chapter 7 Packing
  • Chapter 8 Reach for the Top
  • Chapter 8 On Killing A Tree [Poem]
  • Chapter 9 The Bond of Love
  • Chapter 9 The Snake Trying [Poem]
  • Chapter 10 Kathmandu
  • Chapter 10 A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal [Poem]
  • Chapter 11 If I Were You

CBSE Sample Papers For Class 9 English

NCERT Solutions for class 9 English Beehive (Download PDF)

This page provides a solution to all the questions prescribed in class 9 CBSE textbook. The great thing about these solutions is that they are available in PDF format in chapter wise and sequential manner and is laid down in terms of question and answers which makes studying a breeze and also helps for an engaging revision.

English is a global language which is used not only in a day to day communication but also at an academic level.There is a total of 21 chapters in this textbook, out of which 11 chapters are related to Beehive English prose and the remaining 10 chapters fall under class 9 Beehive poems section.

The chapters of the class 9 English Beehive textbook include The road not taken, The sound of music, The little girl, Packing, My childhood, The bond of love, etc . And the poems include The road not taken, Wind, No men are foreign, On killing a tree, etc.

The syllabus for students in class 9 is prepared in to help set the base for boards that you will take next year. And English is one of its core subjects. It is important that you are able to grasp the stories and chapters in the textbook to perform better.

The benefits of referring to class 9 English Beehive NCERT solutions are not only confined to understanding the textbook solutions but it is immensely helpful in solving class 9 English previous year question and sample papers. NCERT textbooks and syllabus are formulated by CBSE board. So all the students who are studying under this board have the best solution materials here. Class 9 is also an important class for students, as the level of education increases here from secondary to higher secondary level.

The NCERT solutions of class 9 English are very helpful to students who love English as a language and gives them an edge to understand and perform better.

Free Resources

NCERT Solutions

Quick Resources

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive

August 08, 2020 by phani

Free download of NCERT chapter-wise solutions for class 9 English Beehive solved by expert teachers from latest edition books and as per NCERT (CBSE) guidelines. NCERT solutions for class 9 English beehives is ideal for students preparing for their CBSE Class 9 English exams.

Here is the list of Chapters from the NCERT class 9 English Textbook

  • Chapter 1 The Fun They Had
  • Chapter 1 The Road Not Taken [Poem]
  • Chapter 2 The Sound of Music
  • Chapter 2 Wind [Poem]
  • Chapter 3 The Little Girl
  • Chapter 3 Rain On The Roof [Poem]
  • Chapter 4 A Truly Beautiful Mind
  • Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree [Poem]
  • Chapter 5 The Snake and The Mirror
  • Chapter 5 A Legend Of The Northland [Poem]
  • Chapter 6 My Childhood
  • Chapter 6 No Men Are Foreign [Poem]
  • Chapter 7 Packing
  • Chapter 8 Reach for the Top
  • Chapter 8 On Killing A Tree [Poem]
  • Chapter 9 The Bond of Love
  • Chapter 9 The Snake Trying [Poem]
  • Chapter 10 Kathmandu
  • Chapter 10 A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal [Poem]
  • Chapter 11 If I Were You

CBSE Sample Papers For Class 9 English

NCERT Solutions for class 9 English Beehive (Download PDF)

This page provides a solution to all the questions prescribed in class 9 CBSE textbook. The great thing about these solutions is that they are available in PDF format in chapter wise and sequential manner and is laid down in terms of question and answers which makes studying a breeze and also helps for an engaging revision.

English is a global language which is used not only in a day to day communication but also at an academic level.There is a total of 21 chapters in this textbook, out of which 11 chapters are related to Beehive English prose and the remaining 10 chapters fall under class 9 Beehive poems section.

The chapters of the class 9 English Beehive textbook include The road not taken, The sound of music, The little girl, Packing, My childhood, The bond of love, etc . And the poems include The road not taken, Wind, No men are foreign, On killing a tree, etc.

The syllabus for students in class 9 is prepared in to help set the base for boards that you will take next year. And English is one of its core subjects. It is important that you are able to grasp the stories and chapters in the textbook to perform better.

The benefits of referring to class 9 English Beehive NCERT solutions are not only confined to understanding the textbook solutions but it is immensely helpful in solving class 9 English previous year question and sample papers. NCERT textbooks and syllabus are formulated by CBSE board. So all the students who are studying under this board have the best solution materials here. Class 9 is also an important class for students, as the level of education increases here from secondary to higher secondary level.

The NCERT solutions of class 9 English are very helpful to students who love English as a language and gives them an edge to understand and perform better.

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write an essay on beekeeping class 9

Beekeeping Essay Contest for 4th - 12th graders

Graciously sponsored by:.

Meta & Chemours

Each year, Georgia 4-H hosts the annual Beekeeping Essay Contest. This is an exciting opportunity for students to test their writing abilities and learn something new about Honeybees and their importance in the environment. This competition is open to all Georgia 4-H members in the 4th-12th grades. This contest is a national competition offered by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. State and national prizes are offered for this contest. For the state contest, a cash prize of $250 will be given for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place. The first-place Georgia essay will move on to the national competition and be eligible for additional prizes and awards.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, a sense of fair play and other desirable character traits • Learn the skills of farm management and an understanding of the business and career opportunities • Demonstrate individual leadership abilities • Develop leadership abilities, build character and assume citizenship responsibilities, and develop skills, knowledge, and attitudes for lifelong use

Please contact your local Extension office for more information.

write an essay on beekeeping class 9

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action organization.

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9th Grade Spelling Bee Words

Practice our 9th Grade Spelling Bee Words. Test your vocabulary in Spelling Tests for Grade Nine. The vocabulary words in these lists will appear in the spelling tests of SpellQuiz - Spelling Test for 9th Grade

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  1. Beekeeping Essay Contest

    write an essay on beekeeping class 9

  2. Beekeeping Essay Contest

    write an essay on beekeeping class 9

  3. Beekeeping Essay Contest

    write an essay on beekeeping class 9

  4. Beekeeping Essay Contest

    write an essay on beekeeping class 9

  5. 2020 Beekeeping Essay Contest_Page_1

    write an essay on beekeeping class 9

  6. Beekeeping Essay Contest « Georgia4H

    write an essay on beekeeping class 9

COMMENTS

  1. Apiculture

    Apiculture Meaning. "Apiculture is the scientific method of rearing honeybees. The word 'apiculture' comes from the Latin word 'apis' meaning bee. So, apiculture or beekeeping is the care and management of honey bees for the production of honey and wax. In this method, bees are bred commercially in apiaries, an area where a lot of ...

  2. Apiculture or BeeKeeping Class 9

    The word 'apiculture' comes from the Latin word 'apis' meaning bee. Beekeeping or apiculture is the rearing, care, and management of honeybee for acquiring honey, wax, and other substances. Beekeeping has been practiced for centuries and is integral to agriculture, horticulture, and ecological conservation. By managing bee colonies ...

  3. Bee-Keeping

    The practice of keeping or rearing, caring and management of honey bee on a large scale for obtaining honey and wax is called apiculture. The place where bees are raised is called apiary. Besides honey, other products of bee-keeping are bee wax, bee venom, propolis and royal jelly. Bee-keeping require low investment and generates additional ...

  4. The Apiculture

    Apiculture or beekeeping is a kind of occupation that involves nurturing and looking after bees for the purpose of acquiring bee products like beeswax, honey, royal jelly, flower pollen, and bee pollen. Apiculture in general implies the maintenance of bees belonging to the genus APIs than are honeybees. However, in apiculture, even bees that ...

  5. Essay on Apiculture

    Introduction to Apiculture. Apiculture is the science and art of raising honeybees. It is also known as beekeeping. People who keep bees are called beekeepers. They use hives to give a home to the bees. The main goal of apiculture is to collect honey. But it also helps in pollination of crops.

  6. Bee Keeping Class 9

    Bee Keeping Class 9 - Biology Chapter 15 | Improvement in Food Resources Class: 9 Subject: Biology Chapter: 15 Topic Name: Bee Keeping👉 Notes - https://docs...

  7. Apiculture (Bee keeping )

    Apiculture involves the care of honeybee colonies for honey production, pollination, or personal interest. Over time, insights into bee behavior evolved from recognising honey production and stinging to revolutionary discoveries in the 17th-19th centuries. These include understanding the queen bee's role, her unique mating, movable hives, and ...

  8. Bee Keeping

    Chapter - Improvement in Food ResourcesTopic - Bee KeepingPoints Covered In This Video: - - What is apiculture?- Variety of honey bees.- Desirable characte...

  9. Apiculture or Bee-keeping

    Theory: Bee-keeping or apiculture is raising, caring for honeybees, and maintaining of beehives by humans for harvesting honey. Since honey is widely used, bee-keeping has become an agricultural enterprise to generate additional income for the farmers. Bee-keeping requires low investments.

  10. Write advantages of bee keeping.

    Solution. Some of the advantages of bee-keeping are as follows: (i) It increases the production of honey. (ii) Wax collected from the beehives helps in various medicinal preparations. (iii) They provide propolis and balms that are used in repairing and fastening of comb. (iv) Poison of bee is used in manufacturing of Ayurvedic and homeopathic ...

  11. 16 Compelling Reasons Why Beekeeping is Important

    1: Bees Make Honey. Believe it or not, the number one reason that gets most hobbyists into beekeeping is the fact that bees make honey. This first fact sounds like something Captain Obvious would say. But this does not negate the fact that people pursue beekeeping because they want what comes out of that hive.

  12. Why Beekeeping is Important

    The act of beekeeping can bring peace of mind and focus. It's a rewarding, peaceful, and relaxing pastime. Beekeeping is easy and simple. Keeping bees requires almost no space if you start with just a couple of hives, and you can successfully start a hive almost anywhere.

  13. Write the benefits of beekeeping.

    They also provide bee wax which is used in many industries, including cosmetics industries, polishing industries, pharmaceutical industries, etc. Plays an excellent role in pollination. Honey bees are the best pollinating agents which help in increasing the yield of several crops.

  14. What is bee-keeping? Write any four point successful bee-keeping?

    Bee-Keeping is the rearing and management of honey bees for obtaining honey and beeswax. Five points which are important for successful bee-keeping are as followed. a) Knowledge of nature and habit of bees. b) Selection of suitable location for keeping the beehives. c) Catching and hiving of swarms (group of bees).

  15. Essay on Honey Bees for Students and Children in English

    Essay on Honey Bees. Honey bees are generally held in high regards in humans despite of their painful sting. This is due to their usefulness as honey producers and the best pollinators for flowering plants. The value of pollination in plants is incalculable. A majority of crops are dependent on pollination by honey bees and other insects.

  16. Why I Became a Beekeeper

    Beekeepers shoulder a great responsibility. In charge of the lives of tens of thousands of beings, for any chance at success, it is of crucial importance to understand the bee as completely as possible. That means learning the intricacies of the brood cycle, the behaviors, and the threats to the vitality of the honeybee.

  17. The PerfectBee Introduction to Learning Beekeeping

    Take the queen from the package while in her cage, take out the cork from one end and place the cage in the hive, attached to one of the frames. Pour - yes, pour - 10,000 eager bees into the hive. Place the inner cover and telescoping top cover on the beehive. There you go. You are a beekeeper! Except… you are not.

  18. Notes on bee keeping with modern beekeeping

    Modern beekeeping involves additional care and management of bees to increase honey production and its derivatives. In this modern beekeeping method, the beekeeper's occupation is to care for the bees and produce bee products such as beeswax, honey, royal jelly, pollen, etc. Modern beekeeping is beneficial to a vast and increasingly populated ...

  19. NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive

    Here is the list of Chapters from the NCERT class 9 English Textbook. Chapter 1 The Fun They Had. Chapter 1 The Road Not Taken [Poem] Chapter 2 The Sound of Music. Chapter 2 Wind [Poem] Chapter 3 The Little Girl. Chapter 3 Rain On The Roof [Poem] Chapter 4 A Truly Beautiful Mind. Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree [Poem]

  20. PDF North Carolina 4-H Beekeeping Essay

    Note that "honey bee" is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word. A honey bee collecting pollen from a daisy. Beekeeping Essay Deadlines North Carolina Essays are due February 24th, 2017 at 5pm Essays should be emailed to [email protected] North Carolina

  21. NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive

    Here is the list of Chapters from the NCERT class 9 English Textbook. Chapter 1 The Fun They Had. Chapter 1 The Road Not Taken [Poem] Chapter 2 The Sound of Music. Chapter 2 Wind [Poem] Chapter 3 The Little Girl. Chapter 3 Rain On The Roof [Poem] Chapter 4 A Truly Beautiful Mind. Chapter 4 The Lake Isle Of Innisfree [Poem]

  22. Beekeeping Essay Contest

    Graciously Sponsored by: Meta & Chemours Each year, Georgia 4-H hosts the annual Beekeeping Essay Contest. This is an exciting opportunity for students to test their writing abilities and learn something new about Honeybees and their importance in the environment. This competition is open to all Georgia 4-H members in the 4th-12th grades. This … Continue reading "Beekeeping Essay Contest"

  23. 9th Grade Spelling Bee Words

    The vocabulary words in these lists will appear in the spelling tests of SpellQuiz - Spelling Test for 9th Grade. Spelling Bee List 1. Spelling Bee List 2. Spelling Bee List 3. Spelling Bee List 4. Spelling Bee List 5. Spelling Bee List 6. Practice our 9th Grade Spelling Bee Words. Test your vocabulary in Spelling Tests for Grade Nine.