The Incredible Honeybee: A Layman's Reference Guide

By T.J. Allen

There are many books that provide very technical details concerning honey bees. Often we want just the facts in simple and easy terms. Here you have just that, a layman's reference to honey bees. This book is written in a very conversational tone. It is simple for the student who is wanting to learn about honeybees or do a report for school, yet technical enough for those who want or need a little more information.

• Language: English
• Publisher: T.J. Allen
• Release date: Oct 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9780996292214

T.J. Allen

T.J. has published over 100 online articles ranging from occupational safety to the spiritual condition of mankind. He received his Bachelors of Religious Education and has worked extensively obtaining his Master’s degree in psychology and counseling. He has served in church ministry for over 20 years as an ordained minister of the gospel. An avid reader, researcher, accomplished speaker and teacher he has brought a combination of his knowledge and experience to the work of helping people change their lives; spiritually, relationally, and psychologically. He has a weekly blog that he sends to subscribers called The Salty Eclectic based on his many experiences, research projects, and interests.

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The Incredible Honeybee

A Layman’s Reference Guide

by

T.J. Allen

Copyright © 2015 by Light Brigade Ministries

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Permission can be obtained by contacting the author at: [e-mail] or visiting our website at www.thehoneybeebook.info.

First Edition: October 2015

Printed in the United States of America

ISBN: 978-0-9962922-1-4

This book is also available in print at most online retailers

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To My Wife, Lynn and Kids, Jonathan, Seth, Lindsey, and Miranda; the five people who mean the world to me and, who put up with my varied and sometimes outrageous schemes to discover new things.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Preface

PART ONE – THE HONEYBEE: A SOCIAL CREATURE

It’s a Lady’s World

The Queen Bee

The Poor Drone

What a Designer

Communicator and Navigator

Wax Maker

A Mythical Creature

A Luxury Bug

Defender to the End

Healthy Producer

PART TWO – THE COLONY

Mixing Colonies, Cross Your Fingers

Unwelcomed Guests

A Colony Removal

A Colony Removal in Pictures

Quick Facts

PART THREE – KEEPING BEES

SUMMARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A FREE GIFT

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Kelley Beekeeping Company for the use of the various photographs from their website and, for the great customer service they have provided over the years.

All photographs with KBC at the bottom are used by permission from the Kelley Beekeeping Company website; www.kelleybees.com.

Thanks to my friends Trey and Teresa Hodges for their friendship and advice concerning this book and their wonderful young sons, Ethan and Elijah, whose wonderment of discovery have helped me rediscover mine.

Special thanks to the Wiregrass Beekeeping Club of Southeast Alabama and especially to Roslyn Horton, Phillip Carter, and Joe Burke for their advice, support, and mentoring when it comes to honey bees.

Preface

I remember being a child and discovering for the first time there were bugs in the world that would sting. It didn’t seem to matter if I was trying to rescue a wasp from a mud puddle or capturing a bumble bee with my bare hands; they defended themselves from what they determined was danger. I also remember playing with honeybees at lunch time at school, either with a Popsicle stick with sugar remnants or a drink can.

The honeybees have always fascinated me. The more I learned about them the more I was amazed as to how God had created a highly intelligent insect. I hope you too will be fascinated by the incredible honeybee and this book helps, to some extent, satisfy that fascination. Enjoy.

PART ONE – THE HONEYBEE: A SOCIAL CREATURE

Can You Sense the Spring?

Can you feel the sunlight warm, streaming through the trees?

Melting sparkling, crystal snow, breaking loose winter’s freeze,

Preparing slumbering dormant buds, for springing into leaves,

Can you feel the sunlight warm, streaming through the trees?

Can you smell the flowered wind, wafting its perfume?

Lush, brilliant, meadow carpet, a rainbow now in bloom,

Swaying, budding wood, adding its flavor to the tune,

Can you smell the flowered wind, wafting its perfume?

Can you hear the honeybees, flying through the air?

Buzzing from flower to flower, with precision and great care,

Harvesting with great diligence, what the blooms have to share,

Can you hear the honeybees, flying through the air?

Can you see the butterflies, dancing on the wing?

With a graceful, melodious waltz, that nature alone can bring,

Light and lively creatures, these aerial heralders of spring,

Can you see