How Do Honey Bees Survive The Cold?

How Do Honey Bees Survive The Cold?

In the colder seasons, like Winter and Autumn, you’re less likely to see or hear a bee buzzing around. They get cold just like we do, and stay inside their hive to keep warm; similarly as if we were to stay in our homes on a cold day. But, what do the bees do to really keep warm? 

When temperatures drop below (typically) 50 degrees, this is when the bees start retreating to their hives. There, they form a cluster of bees in order to keep warm. However, in order to keep their colony alive, certain winter-ready bees are now the ones who make sure every bee is accounted for. The hive must have enough honey to eat as well as a large enough population of winter-ready bees to keep the swarm alive. 

The winter-ready bees have a longer lifespan (4-6 weeks rather than just a few) in order to ensure life duration to be the length of the winter season, and are also more plump than others to keep the heat. In the winter, the male bees, or the drones, die off and leave the female bees to create the heat that could reach up to 90-100 degrees at the center, where the queen is kept warmest. 

To support our local honey bees, you can click the link below and shop for some Staten Island honey and other great products. Happy shopping! 

https://bzbwholesale.com

December 14, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
CBD Products: Are There Benefits?

CBD Products: Are There Benefits?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is an active ingredient found in the cannabis plant. Being a non-intoxicating chemical, CBD is known to help with inflammatory issues, anxiety, sleeping, etc. and has been approved in certain states in the United States. 

Indulging in the use of CBD products will not make you experience the parts of cannabis that make you high. Tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC, is the psychoactive drug (though also produced from cannabis) that intoxicates you. This is not affiliated with CBD! 

If you are experiencing overwhelming stress or pain of any kind, you may find CBD beneficial for you. The relief it brings for many everyday issues involving stress levels and lack of sleep, without the addictive compound, is something that definitely could benefit you. 

However, with everything, please make sure you are being careful and safe. By clicking the link below, and making sure you are over the age of 18, you can get started on purchasing some CBD products. You can also shop for some local, Staten Island honey and some other amazing products! 

https://bzbwholesale.com

December 14, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
Relationships In The Beehive

Relationships In The Beehive

Honey bees in their colony work together in a way that may as well have us consider a beehive as a single organism. Even though each individual bee plays an important role, the bees’ process of forming bonds and working together helps the colony thrive as one community. 


Bee reproduction is very different from us. Birth and death are basically what the hive depends on; to the point where a colony may split up if their reproduction rates are high enough to thrive in another location. These unique interactions are what make a bee colony so interesting to follow. 


The roles in the hive (drones, workers, or the queen), are determined by gender. While all male bees are drones, a female bee is a worker bee or has the potential to be the queen. Chances are very high to be a worker bee, considering there are thousands of female bees in a singular colony, and only one can take the spot as the queen. 


Supporting our local bees is extremely important and gives back to their community. To shop for Staten Island honey, click the link below and get started! 


https://bzbwholesale.com



December 03, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
Famous Cartoon Bees

Famous Cartoon Bees

Not only do you see bees buzzing all over in your daily life, they’re pretty popular in cartoons, too! Even though you may be scared of them, people do a great job of depicting the bees as cute insects in film and TV. 

An extremely popular bee that we all know and love is “Barry B. Benson” from the Bee Movie. This lovable honey bee believes he is more than just working and does everything in his power to live a successful life. This sweet take on the honey bee is such an enjoyable watch if you haven’t seen it already. 

Another well-known bee is “Buzz”, the Honey Nut Cheerios bee! This bee carries around honey while promoting some delicious cereal. How sweet is that! 

Honey bees are commonly used in cartoons, whether you realize it or not. By clicking the link below, you can get to shopping for some local, Staten Island honey. These cartoon bees may only make cartoon honey, but the real honey bees are working for all your real honey needs! 

https://bzbwholesale.com

December 02, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
Keeping the Bees Buzzing

Keeping the Bees Buzzing

Are you a bee fan? A honey fan? Even someone who wants to do something kind? Honey bees are at risk, and we’re the people who can help. Whether you’re a beekeeper or even someone afraid of them, everyone can help take part in saving the bees. Here are some ways to do so:

1. Create a bee bath! While out on the job, the bees sure do work up a sweat and some thirst. By filling a shallow bird bath with water, placing pebbles to break the water’s surface, you’re creating the perfect opportunity for a bee to come buzzing along and land on one of the pebbles for a refreshing break.

2. Plant a bee garden! Whether it’s in your own yard, or you get in contact with local organizations to find your opportunity to get involved, bee gardens don’t require much space and with it you’re providing the bees with food sources and a place to build homes. One of the largest threats to the bee community is their lack of somewhere safe to “bee” themselves.

3. Support the local beekeepers! Just by locally shopping for honey, you’re doing the bees a favor! I know you like when your hard work is recognized, so let’s do the same for the bees. On Staten Island, you can shop locally by clicking the link below. In this link you will find various honeys, CBD products, and more. Don’t be afraid, help save the bees!

October 07, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
Health Benefits of Honey

Health Benefits of Honey

Honey could be more than just that sweetness you put on your yogurt, fruit, and breakfast. It also supplies major health benefits for our bodies. Honey could be used to treat wounds, as an anti-inflammatory, and even help to support a healthy gut.

Being made up of mostly glucose and fructose, these will absorb water if applied on wounds. Honey has antibacterial properties and will promote quick healing. But remember! Different honeys have different potency so it’s important to do your research to make sure what you’re using is safe for you.

Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that could improve your health. Even taking up to two tablespoons of honey a day can make a difference in your gut. These qualities could help prevent inflammatory illnesses that could be experienced in the future.

Including honey in your diet for something more than just that extra sweet flavor could benefit your health in the long run. By shopping below, you could find all your local, Staten Island honey needs. Some raw honey is perfect for all your meal & health needs!

September 30, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
What Makes A Bee Sting?

What Makes A Bee Sting?

Being afraid of bees is pretty common, especially since many people assume that all bees are out to sting them. However, this isn’t always the case. A lot of the time, the bees are just as afraid of you as you are of them. Now what really draws a bee to sting?

Bees use stinging as a way to protect themselves. When put in a threatening situation, like being swatted, being a threat to their hive, or even harming another bee in their colony, bees are drawn to sting someone. However, even if it’s annoying that a bee is buzzing around you, they’re probably just checking your scent, or if you’re in bright colored clothing, they could even think you’re a flower.

Overall, knowing that something so small can hurt you is definitely a valid fear. But, the stigma placed on bees that leave so much room for misconception is what really drives those fears. Just stay calm, and let them do their thing. I mean really, do you like being bothered at work? Think about how you feel when a coworker or customer gets on your nerves…

Bees are just trying to do their job, and they’re only going to bother you if you get in the way of that. These bees are producing the honey that we all know and love, and by clicking the link below, you could start shopping for some local, Staten Island honey today! Show them some love!

September 23, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
Why Honey Just Doesn’t Seem To Expire

Why Honey Just Doesn’t Seem To Expire

If you’re keeping honey in your home, you’ve probably noticed that it doesn't seem to have an expiration date. Honey, if properly stored, will actually not go bad. But Why?

When you store your honey in an air-tight, no moisture container or honey pot, this is a main factor to making sure it remains edible. This low moisture environment keeps bacteria from surviving within the honey; and this bacteria is what would cause the honey to spoil.

On top of this, honey is highly acidic, which is also a contributing factor to make sure that bacteria can’t grow or reproduce within the honey. If you want to keep your honey as fresh as possible, be sure to keep it away from moisture (or you can just eat it all, which I think is a pretty easy option).

However, in the event that your honey changes over time (just changes in appearance, such as becoming cloudy or crystalized; it still won’t go bad), you can microwave it or heat it up in a pan of hot water in order to clarify or melt it. Yu could shop for some local, Staten Island honey. This honey may last forever, but the delicious taste will keep you continuously re-upping your stash. Happy shopping!

September 19, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
A Short List of Plants Pollinated By Bees

A Short List of Plants Pollinated By Bees

Along with supplying us with that delicious honey, bees are also significant factors to the growing of some of our favorite crops. A large number of flowering plants are relying on insect pollination. The bees move from flower to flower distributing pollen grains, in turn causing the crop to multiply. Now, let’s talk about the crops the bees are helping.

Starting with the fruits, we have watermelon (a personal favorite), tangerines, cucumber, strawberries (another favorite), lychee, apples, kiwi, and so many more.

Another major variety of crops that rely on bees are vegetables. Bees pollinate pumpkin plants, squash, zucchini, carrots, lettuce, etc. These vegetables are staples in everyday meals for many, and we need to consider giving the bees a little more credit.

I don’t know about you, but some of my favorite foods are on this list. Can you imagine a world without some of your favorite foods? Luckily, by clicking the link below you can help support a local, Staten Island company and show some love to our bees by shopping below. You will find all your honey and related bee product needs. Happy shopping!

September 16, 2022 — Jenny Falcone
3 CBD Oil Benefits That Can Improve Your Well-Being

3 CBD Oil Benefits That Can Improve Your Well-Being

July 10, 2020 — Jenny Falcone