Daddy, I Want a Hive of Bees!

"Daddy, I Want a Hive of Bees!"............."Please!"

The wonderful film the Bee Movie has suddenly brought the awareness of bees and honey into children's lives in a most delightful way. I know of many children who are now asking their parents for a hive of bees instead of the usual kitten, hamster or show pony. You can imagine the parents’ horror when met with a sudden request for a colony of bees,
"Please can I have a pony, Dad," seems almost preferable, despite being a deep and disappearing well, into which money can be thrown by the bucket, compared to the thought of millions of stinging insects buzzing about the back garden.

On reflection, however, the kids may have something….

A hive of bees would teach a child many things, responsibility, respect for hard work, the social aspect of life in a busy community, the hum and thrum of nature at work, and how reliant we all are on nature, the sun and the seasons, the importance of pollination for all our food sources and many more useful lessons and skills. There is also the lesson learned from producing ones own food and eating it, and this can all be done from one square yard of back garden, so you can forget the need for an expensive pony paddock, leather saddles and horse trailer. Last but not least there is the kudos a child would have at school, telling friends of their unusual hobby/pets, writing essays that will astound the teachers, such as, "Last Weekend I Caught and Hived a Swarm," or "Today A New Queen Arrived in the Post" and giving little talks and presentations to their classmates on the life and work of a honeybee.

I can imagine many parents throwing their hands up in horror, at the very thought of bee stings, angry neighbors and allergic reactions, all of which have to be taken into account when considering keeping bees in any populated area, but imagine this….. A warm sunny evening, when the whole family, dressed in well fitting bee suits, a smoker and hive tool at the ready, meander down the garden path to open up a hive of bees, A waft of smoke to calm already well behaved bees, and the gentle lifting of a sweetly scented frame of golden honey, perhaps the child being the first one to spot the big fat, healthy Queen, with her spot of colour to set her apart from the other bees.

There are plenty of local associations where parents and children could learn about the fine craft of beekeeping, and become accustomed to handling bees long before they arrive in the garden, and as long as a site is chosen carefully and sensibly with plenty of advice taken from an experienced beekeeper, there is no reason why anyone with a reasonably sized garden, in a quiet area should not be able to keep a colony of well behaved bees. Obviously, a bee hive, in a housing estate placed next to the footpath to the Post Office, is definitely out of the question, but, a long garden backing onto fields, perhaps with a tall hedge on the boundary between neighbors gardens (to lift the bees in their flight) would be perfectly acceptable, and a jar of honey a year as a gift, would appease many a concerned local.

Beekeeping stores are now conscious of the family aspects of keeping bees and there are bee suits with funny bee heads available for children, sting proof little gloves and books by the score. Beekeeping associations are very welcoming and willing to help, to make beekeeping for children an interesting and valuable family hobby, bringing everybody together over the home of the most amazingly interesting and well ordered of nature’s creatures.

Of course there will be stings, swollen hands and fingers, maybe even the odd swollen face, but these occurances can be kept to a minimum with careful attention to details such as checking closures on suits, and being careful not to alarm the bees by rough or sudden movement. There will also be jars of honey to extract, candles to make, lip balms and creams, a nice little job for Mum, some carpentry for Dad, new hives to make and a HONEY FOR SALE sign to place at the garden gate for passing trade. A few jars of honey sold will soon provide enough money to pay for any extra equipment needed, which can be easily bought on line and delivered to the door, and any leftover cash can take up residence in the child’s bee hive shaped savings box, giving real sense of achievement and value to the child.

Another advantage is that bees will essentially look after themselves, will find their own food and water, keep their own home clean, and come the August family holiday, can be left with no fear for their well being for many weeks, no need for bee sitters!

This is a hobby that can grow with the child too as knowledge and awareness grows, so the child can slowly take over the care of bees, increasing the number of hives in the apiary, and possibly sow the seeds of a healthy little business for the future.

So, beekeeping for children is not beyond the bounds of possibility and given the right circumstances can be very instructive, mind broadening and character building, a healthy outdoor activity, providing both food and interest and even a little financial reimbursement.

Happy beekeeping!

Rusty Wise
Beekeeper and Author