Beekeeping
Beekeeping
Beekeeping (pronunciation: /ˈbiːkiːpɪŋ/), also known as apiculture (pronunciation: /ˈeɪpɪˌkʊltʃər/), is the maintenance of bee colonies, usually in man-made hives, by humans. The etymology of the term "beekeeping" is derived from the Old English words "beo", meaning bee, and "cepan", meaning to keep.
History
Beekeeping has been practiced for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of beekeeping dates back to a rock painting in Spain that is over 8,000 years old. The practice of beekeeping was further developed by the Ancient Egyptians, who used clay pots as hives and harvested honey for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Equipment
Beekeepers use various types of equipment to manage and maintain their hives. This includes the beehive, which is the structure that houses the bees, and the bee smoker, which is used to calm the bees. Other important equipment includes the bee suit, which protects the beekeeper from stings, and the hive tool, which is used for various tasks such as prying apart frames and scraping off excess wax.
Practices
Beekeeping practices vary depending on the goals of the beekeeper. Some beekeepers keep bees for honey production, while others keep bees for pollination services. Beekeepers may also keep bees for the production of other bee products such as bee wax, royal jelly, and bee pollen.
Challenges
Beekeeping faces several challenges, including diseases such as American foulbrood and Varroa mite, which can devastate bee colonies. Other challenges include the effects of pesticides and habitat loss on bee health and survival.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Beekeeping
- Wikipedia's article - Beekeeping
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