How did the ancients come to view beehives as a sign of prosperity? Did they actually understand that bees play a necessary role in plant reproduction cycles?
Honey is yummy, and very sweet. Not something that's easily come by in the days of yore. Maybe that's enough to give it a special status, a golden extremely tasty goop that's protected by a bunch of spicy yellow flies.
If the idea of inside /obervation bee hives interests you, you might enjoy the Youtube channel run by Frederick Dunn. He has an observation hive built into the wall of his recording studio.
This article is a great introduction to the topic of indoor (or rather in-wall) beehives, which I was curious about after seeing a father-son duo construct an impressive setup with hexagonal 3D printed enclosures. The authors voice is very enjoyable. Give it a read if you have a few mins
This year I put a beehive in my backyard. I can sit for hours (not really, minutes more likely) just staring at them working, going in and out of the hive. Maybe in a year or two I'll actually get honey.
I don't hate bees. At all. But the aggregated buzzing sound of a lot of tiny buzzy insects means one thing to me as homeowner: wasps found ingress and a nest was built somewhere in your house. It is a sound I do not want to hear anywhere near my house, because you can't let them be, and getting rid of them is a damn stupid chore which more often than not involves dismantling part of the house to even get at them. I did this once, and that was enough (didn't get stung though).
I have bees and it gets a nope from me for the inconvenience and potential damage factor. If it were better constructed, maybe. Bees can potentially bend the plexiglass or chew holes in the wood to escape. There are better designs out there.
Honeybees aren’t very aggressive with stings. Yellowjackets in the other hand are vicious if you’re disturbing their nests in any way. Any that establish themselves near my house will be dispatched with as soon as I notice them.
Depends on the bees! I was always pretty relaxed about bees, until a hive at my house turned mean. They would sting us just for daring to be near them, and by 'near' I don't mean we were approaching the hive -- just walking past it, or doing some gardening several metres away.
Australian natives sting is very minor, maybe even stingless. I've had to move them out of my water main box, thing, in the thousands without getting bitten once and only using latex gloves.
Yeah, I have no particular animus towards bees but they terrify me. Without a doubt the thing I'm most afraid of on this earth. I would be a nervous wreck if I had this in my home.
Technically the bees don't cause much damage. They will do things like remove insulation. Fermented honey, moisture, ants, wax moths, etc are all more damaging but technically a result of the bees. At least in an observation hive you can see what's happening before it spreads.
> For now, it feels good to know that behind me stand centuries of bee-lovers who have had the joy of listening to the hymns of bees far into the night and smelled the intoxicating aroma of honey and propolis waft out across the room before the dawn light begins.
I wonder what that's like. Is it just another nice smell, like coffee brewing while sunlight hits your face?
It's an indescribably wonderful smell. I love the smell of my beekeeping outfit, which also includes smoke from my smoker (the beehives themselves don't smell of smoke though). You can buy propolis products and get a very slight idea.
You might want to take a class in beekeeping, one where they take you to do some actual hive inspections. You'll need a beekeeper's suit.
My grandpa had one of these (the traditional they talk about), and the smell fades away. I guess it smells like honey to everyone visiting, but for you isn't there.
Made me realize for the first time Bees are the only insect that most people don't find disgusting. I mean we literally eat what they create: Honey. It would be fascinating to watch them build their hives.
And I like Praying Mantises because I think they're probably secretly alien robots. I wonder if biologists have ever taken one apart to see if they're truly biological or a machine. I've seen one take down a humming bird, so it's gotta be some kinda machine bro.
I would think that was mostly because of the relation bees have to honey and all the wonderful imagery and thoughts people have about honey. But there is also a lot of general cultural tradition in bee keeping going back atleast 5,000 years.
> the only insect that most people don't find disgusting
That reminds me of a bit of fiction where a bioengineered commercial species is being critiqued:
> Miles leaned forward again, to peer in revolted fascination. "It looks like a cross between a cockroach, a termite, and a... and a... and a pustule. [...] Nobody will want to eat food that comes out of something that looks like that. Hell, they won't want to eat anything it touches."
> "People eat honey," argued Mark. "And that comes out of bugs."
> "Honeybees are... sort of cute. They're furry, and they have those classy striped uniforms. And they're armed with their stings, just like little swords, which makes people respect them." [...]
> Enrique said, in a bewildered tone, "So do you think if I put stings on my butter bugs, Barrayarans would like them better?"
> "No!" said Miles and Mark together.
> Enrique sat back, looking rather hurt.
--A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
Enrique sat back, looking rather hurt.
The comb doesn't look like it's on frames. The vast majority of states require comb to be on a frame or top bar to be capable of being inspected. There are plans online for in-wall mounted observation hives that would be much better than this.
In my state, routine inspections are required by a State Apiarist:
> All honeybee colonies must be registered and inspected for diseases, mites, and Africanized bees. Surveys are conducted for Africanized bees along Delaware’s coastal anchorages and in the Ports of Wilmington and Delaware City. By law, the State Apiarist and state bee inspectors may enter any public or private premises and have access to and from all apiaries or places where bees and bee equipment are kept to inspect them for pests and diseases. The State Apiarist may also declare a quarantine and order the destruction or treatment of hives for serious pest or disease situations.
My brain is so rotted from the news that I can’t read this and not think it’s some sort of bee racism. Is this related to averting nationwide colony collapse? Seems like government overreach to my uninformed self.
Beekeepers have varroa under control. But the state loves to be able to declare medical emergencies for animals (cull all the chickens!!), including beehives.
There are bee diseases that are so serious (American foulbrood) that if your hive gets it then the dept of agriculture will come out and not leave until you burn the affected hives. It is super infectious and can cause massive commercial damage if allowed to spread.
In Texas if you want to use bees for ag exemptions (property tax breaks), you need to show that you have active beehives, but no inspections take place. In other rather stupid states you have to have your hives inspected because oh-no-it's-varroa!
How did the ancients come to view beehives as a sign of prosperity? Did they actually understand that bees play a necessary role in plant reproduction cycles?
Honey is yummy, and very sweet. Not something that's easily come by in the days of yore. Maybe that's enough to give it a special status, a golden extremely tasty goop that's protected by a bunch of spicy yellow flies.
If the idea of inside /obervation bee hives interests you, you might enjoy the Youtube channel run by Frederick Dunn. He has an observation hive built into the wall of his recording studio.
It's quite a relaxing channel to watch.
https://youtube.com/@FrederickDunn
I think this is great. Just the other day I saw this thread about a kid who 3D printed a hive for his bedroom:
https://www.threads.com/@bryanmarktaylor/post/DLXdzZzgcRr
It seems to be based on this design:
https://www.beeamond.com/
Video detailing a technique to grow bees in bottles (easy indoor installation)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItlOFLTUAs by Advoko MAKES
This article is a great introduction to the topic of indoor (or rather in-wall) beehives, which I was curious about after seeing a father-son duo construct an impressive setup with hexagonal 3D printed enclosures. The authors voice is very enjoyable. Give it a read if you have a few mins
This year I put a beehive in my backyard. I can sit for hours (not really, minutes more likely) just staring at them working, going in and out of the hive. Maybe in a year or two I'll actually get honey.
I like work; it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.
— Jerome K. Jerome
I learned some really interesting things from the author's replies in the comments at TFA.
Well, at least it's not hornets.
This gets a solid "nope" from me, and probably everyone else who has a memory of a very painful sting in their past.
I don't hate bees. At all. But the aggregated buzzing sound of a lot of tiny buzzy insects means one thing to me as homeowner: wasps found ingress and a nest was built somewhere in your house. It is a sound I do not want to hear anywhere near my house, because you can't let them be, and getting rid of them is a damn stupid chore which more often than not involves dismantling part of the house to even get at them. I did this once, and that was enough (didn't get stung though).
I would classify a bee sting as more of an irritating pain, like a stubbed toe.
You must not be allergic, then, because it lasts a lot longer than a stubbed toe, and much more painful than simply “irritating”.
I’d rather stub my toe 10 times than get stung by a bee — well, maybe not the same toe. :)
One bee sting's effects will last about five days, give or take.
A dozen bee stings' effects will last about two weeks, give or take a few days.
A hundred bee stings is life-threatening.
All that w/o allergies.
One, yes. Many, no.
I've been stung a number of times by bees and wasps, but I still find them fascinating, and I would love to have one of these in my wall.
I have bees and it gets a nope from me for the inconvenience and potential damage factor. If it were better constructed, maybe. Bees can potentially bend the plexiglass or chew holes in the wood to escape. There are better designs out there.
Honeybees aren’t very aggressive with stings. Yellowjackets in the other hand are vicious if you’re disturbing their nests in any way. Any that establish themselves near my house will be dispatched with as soon as I notice them.
> Honeybees aren’t very aggressive with stings.
Depends on the bees! I was always pretty relaxed about bees, until a hive at my house turned mean. They would sting us just for daring to be near them, and by 'near' I don't mean we were approaching the hive -- just walking past it, or doing some gardening several metres away.
Africanized bees can be extremely aggressive.
Australian natives sting is very minor, maybe even stingless. I've had to move them out of my water main box, thing, in the thousands without getting bitten once and only using latex gloves.
I would love one of these in my bedroom. I adore the sounds of bees. It's very relaxing.
Yeah, I have no particular animus towards bees but they terrify me. Without a doubt the thing I'm most afraid of on this earth. I would be a nervous wreck if I had this in my home.
You might secretly be an elephant.
Jesus, I clicked expecting a big post about carpenter bees and found something far, far worse.
hmm. bee's can easily cause a lot of damage inside your walls. not sure how this is avoided.
Technically the bees don't cause much damage. They will do things like remove insulation. Fermented honey, moisture, ants, wax moths, etc are all more damaging but technically a result of the bees. At least in an observation hive you can see what's happening before it spreads.
If the space is sealed, how would they get into the walls?
Carpenter bees tunnel into wood.
Just makes me wonder what Erika Thompson's take on this project would be
> they sing me to sleep
I read this at first as “sting” and was briefly horrified.
But bees singing is still, to me, quite horrifying, and would not at all help me fall asleep.
> For now, it feels good to know that behind me stand centuries of bee-lovers who have had the joy of listening to the hymns of bees far into the night and smelled the intoxicating aroma of honey and propolis waft out across the room before the dawn light begins.
I wonder what that's like. Is it just another nice smell, like coffee brewing while sunlight hits your face?
It's an indescribably wonderful smell. I love the smell of my beekeeping outfit, which also includes smoke from my smoker (the beehives themselves don't smell of smoke though). You can buy propolis products and get a very slight idea.
You might want to take a class in beekeeping, one where they take you to do some actual hive inspections. You'll need a beekeeper's suit.
My grandpa had one of these (the traditional they talk about), and the smell fades away. I guess it smells like honey to everyone visiting, but for you isn't there.
Made me realize for the first time Bees are the only insect that most people don't find disgusting. I mean we literally eat what they create: Honey. It would be fascinating to watch them build their hives.
I think there must be others. Butterflys? Fireflies? Ladybugs?
While they are admittedly not insects, I feel jumping-spiders deserve an honorable mention.
Jumping spiders are adorable.
Dragonflies are kinda cool too, and mantis.
I stand corrected. You found 3 more. :)
And I like Praying Mantises because I think they're probably secretly alien robots. I wonder if biologists have ever taken one apart to see if they're truly biological or a machine. I've seen one take down a humming bird, so it's gotta be some kinda machine bro.
I would think that was mostly because of the relation bees have to honey and all the wonderful imagery and thoughts people have about honey. But there is also a lot of general cultural tradition in bee keeping going back atleast 5,000 years.
wow. I didn't know it went back that far, but it makes sense mankind discovered hives are basically a free sugar factory that long ago!!
> the only insect that most people don't find disgusting
That reminds me of a bit of fiction where a bioengineered commercial species is being critiqued:
> Miles leaned forward again, to peer in revolted fascination. "It looks like a cross between a cockroach, a termite, and a... and a... and a pustule. [...] Nobody will want to eat food that comes out of something that looks like that. Hell, they won't want to eat anything it touches."
> "People eat honey," argued Mark. "And that comes out of bugs."
> "Honeybees are... sort of cute. They're furry, and they have those classy striped uniforms. And they're armed with their stings, just like little swords, which makes people respect them." [...]
> Enrique said, in a bewildered tone, "So do you think if I put stings on my butter bugs, Barrayarans would like them better?"
> "No!" said Miles and Mark together.
> Enrique sat back, looking rather hurt.
--A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold Enrique sat back, looking rather hurt.
The comb doesn't look like it's on frames. The vast majority of states require comb to be on a frame or top bar to be capable of being inspected. There are plans online for in-wall mounted observation hives that would be much better than this.
Wait, what? Inspected by whom? How often? Who requires this??
In my state, routine inspections are required by a State Apiarist:
> All honeybee colonies must be registered and inspected for diseases, mites, and Africanized bees. Surveys are conducted for Africanized bees along Delaware’s coastal anchorages and in the Ports of Wilmington and Delaware City. By law, the State Apiarist and state bee inspectors may enter any public or private premises and have access to and from all apiaries or places where bees and bee equipment are kept to inspect them for pests and diseases. The State Apiarist may also declare a quarantine and order the destruction or treatment of hives for serious pest or disease situations.
https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/
My brain is so rotted from the news that I can’t read this and not think it’s some sort of bee racism. Is this related to averting nationwide colony collapse? Seems like government overreach to my uninformed self.
It's state control for the sake of control.
Beekeepers have varroa under control. But the state loves to be able to declare medical emergencies for animals (cull all the chickens!!), including beehives.
There are bee diseases that are so serious (American foulbrood) that if your hive gets it then the dept of agriculture will come out and not leave until you burn the affected hives. It is super infectious and can cause massive commercial damage if allowed to spread.
> and not leave until you burn the affected hives
I've got visions of bee inspectors standing there, insisting that this woman burn her house down.
Where I live, AFB is a reportable infection, requiring burn and bury. Bees are considered livestock and subject to state regulations.
In Texas if you want to use bees for ag exemptions (property tax breaks), you need to show that you have active beehives, but no inspections take place. In other rather stupid states you have to have your hives inspected because oh-no-it's-varroa!