the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgwood NJ, on Friday while working on Collingwood Road in Ridgewood, Dave’s Tree Service encountered a large hive inside a huge tree limb. Realizing it was a colony of honey bees, they carefully made the cut, safely placed the swarm in their truck, and transported it to Dave’s Tree Service yard.
Honey bees are remarkable insects known for their role in pollination and honey production. They are social insects, living in highly organized colonies that work together to support the hive. Here are some key facts about honey bees:
Species and Habitat
- Species: The most common species is the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), though there are several other species, including the Eastern honey bee (Apis cerana).
- Habitat: Honey bees are found on every continent except Antarctica. They thrive in a variety of environments, from forests and grasslands to gardens and orchards.
Physical Characteristics
- Appearance: Honey bees are typically golden-yellow with brown bands. They have two pairs of wings, six legs, and a pair of antennae.
- Size: Worker bees, the most common, are about 1.2 cm (0.5 inches) long. Queens are larger, around 2 cm (0.8 inches), and drones are slightly bigger than workers.
Colony Structure
- Queen: The queen is the only fertile female in the hive and is responsible for laying eggs. She can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day.
- Workers: Worker bees are non-reproductive females that perform all the tasks needed to maintain the hive, including foraging for food, caring for the queen and larvae, and defending the hive.
- Drones: Drones are male bees whose primary role is to mate with a queen. They do not have stingers and do not participate in the day-to-day activities of the hive.
Pollination
- Role in Pollination: Honey bees are vital pollinators, transferring pollen from one flower to another, which allows plants to reproduce. This process is crucial for the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
- Impact: Honey bees pollinate about one-third of the food crops consumed by humans, including apples, almonds, and berries.
Honey Production
- Honey: Honey bees collect nectar from flowers and convert it into honey through a process of regurgitation and evaporation. Honey serves as a food source for the colony, particularly during winter.
- Beekeeping: Humans have kept honey bees for thousands of years, primarily for honey, wax, and other products. Modern beekeeping, or apiculture, plays a critical role in agriculture and food production.
Communication
- Waggle Dance: Honey bees communicate with each other through the “waggle dance,” a series of movements that convey information about the direction and distance of food sources.
- Pheromones: Bees also use chemical signals, or pheromones, to communicate within the hive, such as signaling alarm or marking the queen’s presence.
Threats to Honey Bees
- Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD): This phenomenon, where worker bees suddenly disappear, has significantly impacted honey bee populations in recent years.
- Pesticides: Exposure to certain pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, can harm bees and contribute to declining populations.
- Diseases and Parasites: Honey bees are vulnerable to various diseases and parasites, including the Varroa mite, which can devastate hives.
Conservation
- Importance: Protecting honey bees is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the stability of food systems.
- Efforts: Conservation efforts include promoting bee-friendly practices, reducing pesticide use, and supporting habitat restoration to ensure honey bee survival.
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Who did they call to move the hive after they got the limb to their yard?