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1. What species of honey bees live in South Africa?
1. What species of honey bees live in South Africa?
South Africa is home to two indigenous subspecies of the Western Honey Bee: the Cape Honey Bee (Apis mellifera capensis), found mainly in the Western and Eastern Cape, and the African Honey Bee (Apis mellifera scutellata), found across much of the rest of the country, including KwaZulu-Natal.
2. What is the difference between the Cape Honey Bee and the African Honey Bee?
2. What is the difference between the Cape Honey Bee and the African Honey Bee?
Cape Honey Bees are unique because worker bees can sometimes produce female offspring without mating, while African Honey Bees reproduce in the more typical honey bee way. Both are excellent pollinators and important to South Africa's ecosystems.
3. Why do bees swarm?
3. Why do bees swarm?
Swarming is how a healthy colony reproduces. A queen leaves the hive with thousands of worker bees to establish a new colony.
4. Are swarming bees dangerous?
4. Are swarming bees dangerous?
Usually not. Swarming bees are generally less defensive because they are focused on finding a new home rather than protecting an established hive.
5. Should I spray a swarm?
5. Should I spray a swarm?
No. Bees are vital pollinators and should be safely relocated by an experienced beekeeper whenever possible.
6. What should I do if bees arrive at my home?
6. What should I do if bees arrive at my home?
Keep people and pets away, avoid disturbing the bees, and contact AfriHive for safe relocation.
7. How many bees live in one hive?
7. How many bees live in one hive?
A healthy hive can contain between 20,000 and 60,000 bees, depending on the season.
8. How many queens are in a hive?
8. How many queens are in a hive?
Normally only one queen lives in each healthy colony.
9. What does the queen bee do?
9. What does the queen bee do?
The queen lays eggs and produces pheromones that help maintain the organisation and unity of the colony.
10. How long does a queen bee live?
10. How long does a queen bee live?
A healthy queen may live for three to five years, much longer than worker bees.
11. How long do worker bees live?
11. How long do worker bees live?
During the busy summer months, worker bees usually live four to six weeks. Winter bees may live several months.
12. What do bees eat?
12. What do bees eat?
Bees feed primarily on nectar for energy and pollen for protein. They also require clean water to survive.
13. What is Royal Jelly?
13. What is Royal Jelly?
Royal Jelly is a nutrient-rich food produced by young worker bees. It is fed to developing queens throughout their lives.
14. Why is honey different colours?
14. Why is honey different colours?
The colour depends on the flowers visited by the bees. Honey may range from almost clear to dark amber.
15. Does darker honey taste different?
15. Does darker honey taste different?
Yes. Darker honeys often have a richer, stronger flavour, while lighter honeys are generally milder and sweeter.
16. Do bees make different kinds of honey?
16. Do bees make different kinds of honey?
Yes. The flavour, colour and aroma all depend on the nectar collected from different flowering plants.
17. Do all bees make honey?
17. Do all bees make honey?
No. Honey bees are the primary honey-producing bees. Most of South Africa's native bee species do not produce harvestable honey.
18. Why are bees important?
18. Why are bees important?
Bees pollinate many fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowering plants that humans and wildlife depend upon.
19. Can bees recognise people?
19. Can bees recognise people?
Research suggests honey bees can distinguish human faces and learn to recognise patterns
20. Why do bees buzz?
20. Why do bees buzz?
Their wings beat around 200 times per second, creating the familiar buzzing sound.
21. Can bees sting more than once?
21. Can bees sting more than once?
Honey bees can sting only once because their barbed stinger becomes lodged in the skin.
22. What happens if a bee stings me?
22. What happens if a bee stings me?
Most people experience temporary pain, redness and swelling. Anyone with difficulty breathing or signs of an allergic reaction should seek immediate medical attention.
23. Do all bees sting?
23. Do all bees sting?
No. Male honey bees (drones) cannot sting because they do not have stingers.
24. Why are bees attracted to flowers?
24. Why are bees attracted to flowers?
Flowers provide nectar and pollen, which are essential food sources for the colony.
24. Why are bees attracted to flowers?
24. Why are bees attracted to flowers?
Flowers provide nectar and pollen, which are essential food sources for the colony.
25. Why do bees collect pollen?
25. Why do bees collect pollen?
Pollen is the colony's primary source of protein and is used to feed developing larvae.
26. How far can bees fly?
26. How far can bees fly?
Honey bees commonly forage within 2 to 5 kilometres of their hive, although they can travel farther if necessary.
27. Where do wild honey bees build their homes?
27. Where do wild honey bees build their homes?
Wild colonies often choose hollow trees, rock crevices, roof spaces, wall cavities and other sheltered locations.
28. Why are bees sometimes inside house walls?
28. Why are bees sometimes inside house walls?
Wall cavities provide warmth, shelter and protection, making them attractive nesting sites.
29. Can bees survive winter?
29. Can bees survive winter?
Yes. Honey bees cluster together inside the hive and consume stored honey to maintain warmth until spring.
30. Why should bees be relocated instead of destroyed?
30. Why should bees be relocated instead of destroyed?
Healthy bee colonies are essential pollinators that support biodiversity, agriculture and food production. Whenever possible, ethical relocation protects both people and these valuable insects.
31. Can bees smell fear?
31. Can bees smell fear?
Honey bees cannot smell fear itself, but they are highly sensitive to movement, vibrations and certain scents. Sudden movements, waving arms or swatting at bees can make them feel threatened. Remaining calm and moving slowly is the best way to avoid disturbing them.
Learn more: Can Bees Really Smell Fear?
32. Why do bees land on people?
32. Why do bees land on people?
Bees may briefly land on people because they are attracted to floral perfumes, brightly coloured clothing, perspiration, or they simply need a short rest during flight. In most cases, they have no intention of stinging and will fly away within a few moments.
Learn more: Why Bees Sometimes Choose You
33. Can bees see colour?
33. Can bees see colour?
Yes. Honey bees can see blue, green and ultraviolet light, but they cannot see red in the same way humans do. Many flowers contain ultraviolet markings that act like landing guides, directing bees to nectar.
Learn more: Seeing the World Through a Bee's Eyes
34. Why do bees like lavender?
34. Why do bees like lavender?
Lavender produces abundant nectar, has a long flowering season, and its rich fragrance makes it highly attractive to honey bees and many other pollinators. It is one of the best plants for creating a bee-friendly garden.
35. How much honey does one hive produce?
35. How much honey does one hive produce?
The amount varies depending on rainfall, flowering plants, climate and hive strength. In South Africa, a healthy hive may produce anywhere from 10 to 40 kilograms of surplus honey during a good season, although responsible beekeepers always leave enough honey for the bees themselves.
Learn more: From Flower to Jar: How Honey Is Made
36. What flowers are best for bees in South Africa?
36. What flowers are best for bees in South Africa?
Indigenous flowering plants are always the best choice. Lavender, rosemary, wild sage, aloes, spekboom, African daisies and many indigenous trees provide valuable nectar and pollen throughout the year.
Learn more: Creating a Bee-Friendly South African Garden
37. What is propolis?
37. What is propolis?
Propolis is a natural resin collected by bees from tree buds and plant sap. Bees use it to seal cracks, strengthen the hive and help protect the colony against bacteria and fungi. It is often called "bee glue."
Learn more: Propolis: Nature's Original Antiseptic
38. What is bee bread?
38. What is bee bread?
Bee bread is pollen mixed with nectar and beneficial microorganisms, which naturally ferments inside the hive. It becomes a highly nutritious food used to feed young bees.
39. Why do bees fan their wings?
39. Why do bees fan their wings?
Worker bees fan their wings to regulate the temperature inside the hive and to help remove excess moisture from nectar while it is being transformed into honey.
40. Why are there dead bees outside the hive?
40. Why are there dead bees outside the hive?
Finding a few dead bees outside a healthy hive is completely normal. Worker bees remove deceased colony members to keep the hive clean and healthy. Large numbers of dead bees, however, may indicate disease, pesticide exposure or other problems.
41. Why do bees collect water?
41. Why do bees collect water?
Bees use water to cool the hive during hot weather, dilute stored honey for feeding larvae, and maintain the correct humidity within the colony.
42. Why do bees dance?
42. Why do bees dance?
Honey bees perform the famous "waggle dance" to tell other bees the direction and distance to a rich food source. It is one of the most sophisticated forms of communication found in the insect world.
Learn more: The Amazing Language of the Waggle Dance
43. Can bees fly in the rain?
43. Can bees fly in the rain?
Generally, no. Rain makes flying difficult and dangerous because water weighs bees down and damages their delicate wings. Most bees remain inside the hive until the weather improves.
44. What time of day are bees most active?
44. What time of day are bees most active?
Honey bees are usually most active during warm daylight hours when flowers are producing nectar. Activity is often highest during the morning and early afternoon, depending on the weather.
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