Bees, Honey and my Advice 🐝
It’s that time of year when flying and crawling things re-appear 🥴
But don’t swat at these guys, 🐝🐞🐛 they are important !
Winnie the Pooh might have been on to something. While honey is known as a natural way to sweeten foods, it has benefits for your body, too!
Today, I’ll share with you The Benefits of Honey + How to Incorporate it into Your Diet….
Plus, my tips on how to choose a good honey 🐝🍯🐝
Before we get started, I’m hoping you enjoyed last week’s newsletter on “Smoke Pollution - code orange, red & beyond”. If you missed it, you can use this link, Here.
Whether you know a thing or two about bugs, you might be surprised by a few things today. And, if all else fails, you’ll get a good chuckle out of my bee-memes at the end 😎
Ready? Let’s get buzzin 🐝
Bumble Bees
Bumble bees are important pollinators of wild flowering plants and agricultural crops. They are characterized by their rounded, fuzzy bodies and their ability to perform "buzz pollination," which involves grasping a flower in their jaws and vibrating their wing muscles to dislodge the pollen. Many plants - including a number of wildflowers and crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cranberries - benefit from buzz pollination.
Because they are essential pollinators, the loss of bumble bees can have far-ranging ecological consequences. Alarmingly, recent studies indicate that some species have experienced rapid and dramatic declines. In fact, more than one quarter (28%) of all North American bumble bees are facing some degree of extinction risk. Use this LINK to read more on bumble bees.
Butterflies & Moths
Butterflies and moths are valuable pollinators, as well. As with many other insect species, butterflies and moths in the U.S. are experiencing significant declines: 19% are at risk of extinction - including species with special habitat needs and generalist species that were once widespread. Sadly, this includes the iconic monarch butterfly, which has experienced dramatic declines in populations both east and west of the Rocky Mountains.
Wasps
Wasps are often criticized due to a reputation for being aggressive. In reality, they are adept hunters that we wouldn’t want to live without. They are doing us all a great service in keeping insect populations in balance and managing pests - they are counted among the many beneficial insects that can be utilized for conservation and biological control. From an evolutionary standpoint, bees are simply wasps that have adopted a vegetarian diet!
Many wasps are smooth-bodied and do not actively collect pollen. Although they do provide some incidental pollination, carrying and dropping some pollen grains as they move among flowers.
Without wasps we would be flooded with flies, caterpillars, spiders, and other arthropods. Wasps provide us with free, eco-friendly natural pest-control services. In a world without wasps, we would need to use more toxic pesticides to control the insects that eat our crops and carry diseases.
There are many kinds of wasps in NJ, look at larger pictures and descriptions, Here.
Solitary Bees
Honey bees may be the most well-known, but they represent a tiny fraction of all bee species! Worldwide, there are an estimated 20,000 species of bees, and approximately 3,600 bee species are native to the US and Canada. More than 90% lead solitary - rather than social - lives, in which each female constructs and provisions her own nest, without the assistance of others.
The majority of solitary bee species are not aggressive and many are stingless - undeserving of the fear many people feel towards bees. Bees are also important pollinators of a variety of plants, possessing hairs and other specialized anatomical structures that readily collect and transfer pollen.
How is Honey made?
Honey is a liquid sweetener that honey bees make. After they collect nectar from flowers, they take it back to the hive and regurgitate it. Then, the other bees chew it until it becomes honey. The bees deposit the honey into tiny, waxy storage units called honeycombs. They fan it with their wings to dry it out. This process makes it stickier.
Honey gets its sweetness from its chemical makeup. It’s made up of two simple sugars called glucose and fructose, along with some minerals.
Types of Honey
The U.S. boasts more than 300 different types of honey. You can buy it:
Raw honey comes straight from the hive; is the least processed and probably has the most antioxidants. Despite its raw status, it’s considered safe to eat except for children younger than 1, who should avoid all honey.
Pasteurized honey has been processed to remove imperfections and improve its shelf life. It can also be spiked with added corn syrup or other sweeteners. Not all honey sold in the stores is the same even though it all starts naturally in the hive.
Why is some honey light and others dark?
Whether honey is light or dark in color depends on which kind of plant the bees who made it took the nectar from. For instance, buckwheat yields dark honey. But nutritionally, there’s evidence that darker honey has less water and more antioxidants than light-colored honey.
Honey has so many different tastes you can enjoy compared to plain sugar. It can be sweeter or more bitter, depending on the flower source.
Light honey varieties:
Light-colored honey tends to be mild in flavor. Varieties include:
Acacia honey: It has floral scents and sweetness but doesn’t change the taste of what you put it in, such as tea and oatmeal.
Clover honey: This honey is common in the U.S. It has a floral, sweet taste and a bit of a sour aftertaste. It’s good for baking, sauces and dressings.
Dark honey varieties:
Dark honeys are known for their stronger flavors. Examples include:
Buckwheat honey: This full-flavored honey can be used in marinades.
Manuka honey: Manuka honey comes from the nectar and pollen of the Manuka bush in New Zealand. Studies have shown it contains antioxidants, along with antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is expensive and is traditionally used topically to treat burns, cuts and sores.
Is crystallized honey bad?
Store honey in a cool location away from sunlight. But sometimes, even in the perfect spot, honey can crystallize and solidify. Honey with a higher ratio of glucose versus fructose crystallizes sooner. Glucose may also attach to the little particles of honeycomb and pollen in raw honey and is more likely to crystallize as a result.
But crystallized honey is still safe to eat. I recommend using it as a spread, like butter. You can also re-liquefy it by putting the container in a warm water bath.
What happens to honey in the hive if it’s not harvested?
If honey is not harvested from the hive, the bees will eventually run out of space to not only make more honey, but also for the queen to lay eggs. When this happens, a colony will swarm and the bees will need to look for another home, with many of them dying in the process.
Honey’s Health Benefits
Honey contains antioxidants, minerals, enzymes that have many health benefits. There’s also evidence that honey can:
Soothe coughs: Doctors have endorsed honey as a natural cough remedy for centuries.
Anti-Inflammitory: Honey contributes positively to the prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases (read more, Here)
Boost Immune system: Local honey contains local pollen that can help strengthen a person's immune system and mitigate pollen allergies.
Treat wounds and burns: Pharmaceutical-grade manuka honey dressings have been used in clinical settings to treat burns and pressure ulcers.
Many other claims have been made about the health benefits of honey – some based on small studies, with mixed results.
How to add honey to your diet
While honey has health qualities that other sugars only dream of, honey is still an added sugar — and eating too much of it can wreak havoc on your health. Please use honey in moderation to avoid exceeding your body’s limits. Try sweetening plain yogurt with a light drizzle of honey and add your own fruit, instead of eating flavored yogurt with too much added sugar. You could also use honey in sauces and marinades or as a skin mask.
If you want to use honey medicinally, talk with your health care professional first, as all uses might not be healthy for your particular case.
How to choose honey
My first tip? The best honey doesn’t come in a cute little plastic teddy bear. That kind of honey is processed and less beneficial than its counterparts.
The clearer the honey, the more processed it is. Raw honey seems to be the better choice. It’s likely to have some pollen and more enzymes because it’s not treated with heat. Pollen may have beneficial properties. But pollen does make honey look foggier.
If you’re buying honey from a local source, I also recommend asking:
Where did the honey come from?
Did the seller produce it?
What can they tell you about it?
Please be aware that an “organic” label doesn’t automatically mean the honey is healthier or better quality. Bees sometimes fly a few miles past their “pesticide/herbicide-free” property to ones with flowers that aren’t. And even organic honey may be ultra-pasteurized.
🐝 😎🐝 🐝 😎🐝
As promised, below are my Bee-memes - Enjoy!
You’re minding your own business enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors when you notice a wasp or yellow jacket flying around. Your first instinct is to run away from it, but it starts flying after you!
Why do wasps and yellow jackets chase you?
The answer is simple: they feel threatened and are protecting their nests.
Wasps aren’t particularly cruel creatures who want to chase or sting you. However, if they feel that they are in danger, they will do anything to protect themselves.
Yellow jackets, on the other hand, are more aggressive than wasps and will definitely chase you if they feel threatened.
So, what should you do if a wasp or yellow jacket chases you, and how do you avoid them? .
If you encounter a wasp and start to run away, it is more inclined to chase you because you’re creating more movement. Yellow jackets will instinctively chase you if you’re near their nest.
How to Identify a Wasp Nest:
One way to avoid being chased by a wasp is to know how to identify their nests. A wasp nest’s size can range from a golf ball to the size of a small vehicle. They are dull gray or brownish in color and often tucked in trees or corners of homes.
You can identify a wasp nest because it’s open. Oftentimes, you can see the combs exposed.
Never bother or touch a wasp nest. This will definitely result in a chase and potentially a swarm of wasps coming after you.
How to Identify a Yellow Jacket Nest:
Yellow jacket nests look different compared to a wasp nest. They are often hidden either between walls or in the nooks of houses. However, a yellow jacket nest can also be hidden underground.
You can identify yellow jacket nests underground due to the large hole it creates in the dirt. Be very careful not to step on or near this hole. Vibrations from lawnmowers can also disturb the yellow jackets inside.
The physical features of a yellow jacket nest include a gray or brown color. The exterior also has a wavy texture to it.
What to Do if a Wasp Chases You
If you see a wasp flying near you, do not start running away or swatting at it!
It’s probably your first reaction to getting away from the wasp as fast as possible, but this just makes the situation worse. In fact, when you start running from the wasp, that’s when it will start to chase you.
So, if you see a wasp, simply stand as still as possible. Wasps are known for going on their way without bothering humans if they don’t bother them.
If you are chased by a wasp or even a swarm of wasps, the best thing to do is to run in a straight line about 50 to 100 feet. They don’t often venture farther than that from their nest to protect it.
What to Do if a Yellow Jacket Chases You
Yellow jackets are known to be much more aggressive than wasps. They will pick a fight with you for no reason. Therefore, standing still when a yellow jacket is getting feisty is not your best option.
Instead, run as fast as you can away from the yellow jacket. The average person can definitely outrun a yellow jacket, but you may need to run a fair distance. Some yellow jackets have chased people up to a mile.
Do not run inside your home or a business. The yellow jackets will most definitely follow you into buildings.
Do not jump in water with hopes that the yellow jackets will lose interest. They will hover above the surface and wait patiently for you to come up for air 😱
How to Avoid Attracting Wasps and Yellow Jackets
The best way to avoid being chased by wasps and yellow jackets is to avoid attracting them in the first place. There are quite a few ways you can do this.
DON’T LEAVE FOOD OUT
Bugs, especially wasps and yellow jackets, are attracted to food left out. They love the smell of rotting food, particularly if it’s sweet and sticky.
Make sure to cover any food or drinks you have outside or in your home if you tend to leave your doors and windows open.
SEAL TRASH CANS
Your trash cans outside should have a lid that seals tightly around the opening. Since there is old and rotting food in there, it’s a feasting ground for wasps and yellow jackets. A tight lid will keep them from entering the trash can and giving you a surprise when you take it out.
DON’T WEAR BRIGHT COLORS OR PERFUME
When you’re sitting outside in your yard or a park, avoid wearing bright colors and sweet perfume. Wasps, bees, and yellow jackets are drawn to both of these.
STAY AWAY FROM NESTS
If you see a wasp or yellow jacket nest, do not approach it. When they feel their habitat is threatened, they will chase you away to protect it. It’s only natural!
GROW CERTAIN PLANTS
There are some plants that have proven to keep wasps and yellow jackets away. Grow them in your garden or around your yard to ward off these stinging insects.
Plants that keep wasps and yellow jackets away include:
Wormwood
Spearmint
Thyme
Lemongrass
Pennyroyal
Eucalyptus
You can also use peppermint oil to keep yellow jackets away from certain parts of your home or yard.
What to do if you get stung by a Bee
For ordinary bee stings that do not cause an allergic reaction, home treatment is enough. Multiple stings or an allergic reaction, on the other hand, can be a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Treatment for minor reactions:
If you can, remove the stinger as soon as possible, such as by scraping it off with a fingernail. Don't try to remove a stinger below the skin surface. A stinger may not be present, as only bees leave their stingers. Other stinging insects, such as wasps, do not.
Wash the sting area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress.
Treatment for moderate reactions:
The following steps may help ease the swelling and itching often associated with large local reactions:
If you can, remove the stinger as soon as possible, such as by scraping it off with a fingernail. Don't try to remove a stinger below the skin surface. A stinger may not be present, as only bees leave their stingers. Other stinging insects, such as wasps, do not.
Wash the affected area with soap and water.
Apply a cold compress.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed. You might try ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) to help ease discomfort.
If the sting is on an arm or leg, elevate it.
Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to ease redness, itching or swelling.
If itching or swelling is bothersome, take an oral antihistamine that contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or chlorpheniramine.
Avoid scratching the sting area. This will worsen itching and swelling and increase your risk of infection.
Emergency treatment for allergic reactions:
During an anaphylactic attack, an emergency medical team may perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if you stop breathing or your heart stops beating. You may be given medications including:
Epinephrine (adrenaline) to reduce your body's allergic response
Oxygen, to help you breathe
Intravenous (IV) antihistamines and cortisone to reduce inflammation of your air passages and improve breathing
A beta agonist (such as albuterol) to relieve breathing symptoms
Epinephrine autoinjector:
If you're allergic to bee stings, your doctor is likely to prescribe an emergency epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, others). You'll need to have it with you at all times. An autoinjector is a combined syringe and concealed needle that injects a single dose of medication when pressed against your thigh. Always be sure to replace epinephrine by its expiration date.
Be sure you know how to use the autoinjector. Also, make sure the people closest to you know how to administer the drug — if they're with you in an anaphylactic emergency, they could save your life. Medical personnel called in to respond to a severe anaphylactic reaction also may give you an epinephrine injection or another medication.
Consider wearing an alert bracelet that identifies your allergy to bee or other insect stings.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Albert Einstein: "If the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live.”
Hopefully you’ve learned a few things about Bees and Honey that you didn’t know before.
Native bees pollinate native plants like cherries, blueberries and cranberries, and were here long before European honeybees were brought to the country by settlers. Honeybees, of course, are well known for Honey! But native bees are estimated to pollinate 80 percent of flowering plants around the world. And very few of them sting – really!
According to the USDA, bees of all sorts pollinate approximately 75% of the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the United States, and one out of every four bites of food people take is courtesy of bee pollination. Believe it or not, our bee pollination is responsible for more than $15 billion in increased crop value each year.
One more piece of advice: What to do if a bee lands on you?
If a bee lands on you, don't make any sudden movements! When a bee or wasp lands on you, it's better if you sit still and just try brushing them off gently. Although no matter how lightly you brush them off, there is always a risk of getting stung by aggravating them.
BTWay, as many of you know, we do have honey available to purchase in the office. Let us know if you need some….
Good luck out there! 🐝🍯🐝🍯🐝🍯🐝
As always, to make an appointment with me use this link: HERE.
Or, you can always give me a call at (973) 210-3838
I want to hear from you! What questions or insights do you have about Bees or The Benefits of Honey? Did you find this newsletter helpful?
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