Forty people, old and young alike, from around the area attended a Lunch and Learn program about Beekeeping on Friday, August 19, 2016 at the Fairfield Conference Center. Hosted by the Freestone County Extension Office, the lunchtime presentation was offered by Phillip Ainsley, Master Bee Keeper and Treasurer of Williamson County Bee Keepers Association.

Ainsley is also a retired Pharmacist and has been bee keeping for five years. He currently has seven hives; and resides in Barclay, Texas.

The following topics were discussed:
-Why Keep Bees? – Honey, wax, propolis (a glue like substance made from sap), pollination, fun & networking with other beekeepers, to increase the bee population, and because bees need our help, as we need theirs.
-Honey is good for health – Honey contains flavonoids, is an antibacterial and antifungal, it reduces allergies, and sooths sore throats and coughs.
-What’s wrong with commercial honey? – It is heated, which destroys the beneficial enzymes. It is pressure filtered, which removes the pollen. Honey from China has illegal antibiotics and has been found to be diluted with corn syrup.
-What’s killing our bees? – The Varroa Mite carries virus and weakens the bees and colony; Neonicitinoids weakens the bees and colony; stress from transport; and various diseases. The loss averages about 30 to 40% each year.
-Cons of beekeeping – Expenses: equipment runs about $300 for an assembled kit plus tools; a package of bees that includes a queen is roughly $125; must treat for mites; must feed sugar during winter or hard times; the time it takes to raise them; finding an adequate location to house them; and can be harmful for those allergic to bee stings.
-The Queen and her attendants – The Queen’s attendants feed, groom, and protect her. She lives about two years. When your Queen is not producing or your bees become aggressive, you will need to replace her (costs about $35).
-How to start – Order your wood ware first; then hardware to include a smoker, hive tool, and bee brush; and finally your software, which consists of a bee suit and beekeeper’s gloves.
-Order you bees – A package of bees containing a queen and roughly 3,000 bees will cost about $140; or you can purchase a nuc (box with five frames of bees with their queen) that will run more than $300.
–Bee suppliers – Mann Lake: mannlakeltd.com offers free shipping with the customs clearance agents sydney on orders over $100; Busy Bee Supplies; 254-793-9459 in Florence, TX offers free shipping on orders over $50; and BetterBeeEquimpment.com can be reached at 512-963-3954.
-Placement of your hive – Face the hive south east or east with some afternoon shade near a source of water (Do NOT place near a swimming pool!). The location must be bee friendly. They do not belong in a neighborhood.