Bee benefits and beyond Un BEE lieveable The small little insects that works sotirelessly and quietly around us certainly is one of the reasons for the bountyon earth. The bees, the flowers and the insects are all interconnected. Cultures and religions around the worldreference bees and the substances they collect inNature and make in their bodies. Christian Scripture mentions honey61 times- The Lord’s people were promised land flowing with milk and honey.
But, what do we really know about bees and theirbenefits?After all, theaverage person sitting down to the dinner table probably doesn’t realize the important role bees played in preparing that meal, muchless to the many other aspects of their life.The bees place in ourworld is important & beyond our understanding. Today, we willcomb through some of the sweet benefits of bees, who these little stingers are and how you can enjoy themilk and honey that the Lord promised us for all the years to come. According toMental Floss –here are some FUN FACTS”Their sting has somebenefits. A toxin in bee’s venom canprevent HIV. It can kill HIV by poking holes into the virus’s protectiveenvelope.
But, when it comes into contact with normal cells, it bounces right offof them. They work harder than you. During colder seasons,worker bees can live for up to nine months. But in the summer, they rarely lastlonger than six weeks—they literally work themselves to death. When they change jobs, they change their brain chemistry.Bees are hardwired to docertain jobs.
Scout bees job is to find new sources of food, they are wired foradventure. Soldier bees, work as security guards their whole life. One percentof all middle-aged bees become undertakers—a genetic brain pattern compels themto remove all the dead bodies from the hive. But most amazingly, are normal honeybees—whichwill work multiple jobs in their lives—theywill changetheir brain chemistry before taking up anew gig. Their brains defy time. When aging bees do jobsusually reserved for younger members, their brain stops aging.
In fact, theirbrain ages in reverse. Imagine if riding a tricycle didn’t just make you feelyoung—it actually made your brain tick like a younger person’s. Scientistsat ArizonaState University believe this canhelp us slow the onset of dementia. They’re changingmedicine. To reinforce their hives,bees use a resin from poplar and evergreen trees called propolis. It’s a basic beehive glue. Although bees use it ascaulk, humans use it to fight off bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Research showsthat propolis taken from a beehive may relieve cold sores, canker sores,herpes, sore throat, cavities, and even eczema. They can recognize humanfaces. Honeybees make out facesthe same way we do. They take parts—like eyebrows, lips, and ears—and cobblethem together to make out the whole face. It’s called the “configular process,”and this can help computer scientists improve face recognition technology inthe future. Theyget buzzed from caffeine and cocaine. Nature didn’t intend caffeine to be trapped inside an $4 latte.
It’s actually a plant chemical defense that shoos off harmful insects and luresin pollinators. Research has shown that nectar laced with caffeine helps bees memorizewhere the flower is, increasing the chances of a return visit. Whilecaffeine makes the bees work better, cocaine turns them into big fat liars. Bees”dance” to communicate—telling following bees where good food is. But highhoneybees over exaggerate their moves and overemphasize the food’s quality.They even exhibit withdrawal symptoms, helpingscientists understand more about addiction. They can solve hairymathematical problems.Pretend it’s the weekend,and it’s time to do errands.
You have to visit six stores and they’re all atsix separate locations. What’s the shortest distance you can travel whilevisiting all six stores? “Mathematicians call this “traveling salesmanproblem,” and it can even stump some computers, but not homeschool mothers. However,for bumblebees, it’s a snap. Researchers at RoyalHolloway University in London have shown thatbumblebees fly the shortest route possible between flowers. So far, they’re theonly animals known to do this. They’re nature’s most strategicbuilders For centuries,mathematicians have argued that honeycombs were the most practical structuresaround, use the least amount of wax and meet at a perfect 120* angle, a perfecthexagon. They can help us catchserial killers. Serial killers behavelike bees.
They commit their crimes close to home, but far away enough away thatthe neighbors don’t get suspicious. Similarly, bees collect pollen near theirhive, but far enough that predators can’t follow them to where their hive is.To understand how this “buzzer zone” works, scientists studied bee behavior andwrote up a few algorithms. Their findings improved computer modelspolice use to find bad guys, in a sting.The bouquet of flowers aren’t the only thing a beesuses it sense of smell for! Especially sensitive to nitrogen, bees have beenused in Afghanistan to recognize explosives at checkpoints, alerting soldiersto danger.
Last – They’re job creatorsAmericans consume about 285 million pounds of honeyeach year. On top of that, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates beespollinate over $20 billion worth of crops each year. SO, who are these FLYING SUPERHEROS? There are 25,000 species worldwide. Comingin different sizes and with varying jobs, all of the bees are important to ourenvironment and survival. Pollinationis very important. It leads to the creation of new seeds that grow into newplants.
We dependon insect pollination for 1/3 of our food. – One in three bites we take are directlyor indirectly connected to beesThis includes our food or Food for animals that become ourfood.I don’t know about you, but I like toeat! Bees are having a hard time, but we can all do our bit tohelp save the bees. You do not need to become a beekeeper. Indeed, manyother pollinators (not just honey bees) are in serious decline too.
Many of the steps you can take to save bees, will helpother pollinators too!People everywhere are taking steps You CAN make adifference – and collectively we all make a BIG difference!….
.and here are some tips to helpset you on your way to doing just that! Save the bees – cut out the insecticides!Some pesticides canremain in the soil for years, and continue to be taken up by theplant from the soil.Neonicotinoids work by creating a toxic plant.
They poisonthe nectar of plants, so that ‘pests’ which feed on the plant are killed. 11% of allpesticide are use on lawns. We actually care more about what our front yard looks likethan the effect of those landscapes on our food supply. Thosepollinators, who have been poisoned on our lawns, cannot then supply for ourfood. Maybe we need to rethink somepriorities. Support pesticide free farmers. Operators of small farms maychoose not to go through the expensive certification process.
This givesconsumers all the benefits of healthy food without the extra costs. A little mud, a little bare ground, and a little water are useful to bees constructingtheir nests, so please leave a patch of ground for solitary ground nesters!Help save the bees by providing lotsof the right flowers, over a long seasonProvidea long season of nectar and pollen rich flowers for bees and other pollinatorsto feed on:Ensure you have flowers, shrubs, trees and plants in bloomfor as long as possible in the garden. Help save the bees..
…. by eating organicPerhaps now is the time to start growing your ownpesticide- free fruit and vegetables. If you cannot growyour own, then try to select as much organic produce as you can when you arebuying your shopping – even if it’s just one item, because collectively, we domake a difference. Careful in selecting your honey, honey! Is what you are buying really honey?Buy local honey from a beekeeper you trust who cares abouttheir bees.
Contaminated honey may be cheaper, but guess what, there’s areason for it! Cheap, contaminated honey creates pressure on beekeeperswho are doing the right thing, and supplying the real product. Pleasecheck the label. Whenyou spend your cash, you cast a vote.If you buy at least some organic produce, your purchases, along with those ofothers, will send a signal to retailers, which will ultimately send a signal tofarmers. Finally, Create abuzz!Spread the word about the need to help save the bees andthe easy tips that I have shared with you today.
In fact, in Psalm 24:1, David tellsus, “The earth is the Lord’s and its fullness thereof, the world and those whodwell therein” We were given dominion over the worldto be good stewards and to enjoy its blessings, thankfully.Although the bees place in our worldis important and beyond our understanding, we are all in this hive together. Ihope you now see the sweet benefits of bees, understand a little more about whothey are know how you ca serve as a ultimate beekeepers by making small changesand creating awareness. In conclusion, remember Proverbs24:13″My son, eat honey, for it is good.”