Ellington

The day recognizes both the honey bee and the beekeepers who tend the hives. It also encourages everyone to enjoy and buy locally grown honey.

Another important part of the day includes learning about honey bees and providing them with a supportive environment. When we plant wildflowers, orchards, and other flowering plants, we support pollinators such as honey bees. They depend on the nectar of a variety of plants for their survival. Conversely, we depend on honeybees for our survival, too! Without their pollinating abilities, many nutritious plants wouldn’t reproduce.

Besides, their delicious honey is an added bonus. We enjoy it in our baking, teas, and confections.

Honey bees do sting, but only if they perceive a threat – damage to their hive or being swatted at. Since they seek sweet nectar, sugary drinks and sweets will attract honey bees when flowers are not blooming yet.  So, keep your beverages covered. If a honey bee comes close, either hold still or move slowly away. The honey bee will fly along to the next sweet thing as long as it doesn’t feel threatened.

HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldHoneyBeeDay

Collect and spread local wildflower seeds to promote honey bee pollination.

Flavors of honey vary depending on the variety of flowers and nectar available to the bees.

Clover, alfalfa, lavender, orange, and chestnut are just a few to choose from.

Replace your usual sweetener with honey for the day. Taste the difference!

Give the gift of honey to a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member.

Don’t forget to share with your honey, too! Use #WorldHoneyBeeDay to post on social media.

WORLD HONEY BEE DAY HISTORY

World Honey Bee Day began as National Honey Bee Day in 2009 with a proclamation issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J. Vilsek. The day grew rapidly bringing awareness to the benefits and environmental needs of honey bees.