We recently had a visit from  local bee-keeper John Mc Keown. John explained the difference between all species of bees we have in our gardens and told us all about their purpose.  There are not many beekeepers in our area and John produces his own honey with the help of the wonderful bees.  There are 3 types of bee in the hive: the workers, drones and the queen.

There were many very clever questions asked about the bees …. “How are they got into the hive?!” (Sen. Infant) As you can see from the pictures there is a special suit used when beekeeping and a smoker to tame the bees which makes them tired so they go into the hive.

Also asked was the difference between a bee and a wasp – some knew a bee will die when he stings and a wasp won’t and  of course wasps don’t make honey!

The bees play a very important part in nature too as they are very busy visiting all your gardens collecting loads of pollen to bring back to the hive and make yummy honey with.  Did you know that the flavour of honey depends on what plants or flowers the bees collect pollen from?

We all learned lots of very valuable information and most importantly and sadly, we learned that there are very few if any wild bees left. Most of the bees in Ireland are kept by bee-keepers and they have to be treated for varroa mites as they are carriers of a virus that is particularly damaging to the bees. We all then got a turn to look at real bees busy at work in a demonstration hive that John brought in.  Some of us listened to hear the busy bees at work. We then all worked like busy bees for the rest of the day!

The Senior Room wrote letters to John thanking him for his visit. 

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