As one of the most fascinating species found on this planet, bees are petty unique little creatures. Not only are they very special in the way they work, but bees play an essential role in the creation of a healthy, happy environment. Their role in pollination is an essential part of what makes bees such a crucial part of our society. However, bees are also the source of that sweet, golden goodness that we all love known as honey. How, though, do bees make honey? What is the process and how does it take place?
How do bees make honey?
A honeybee will spend its time flying around nature, visiting various flowers and plants around their area. As they visit these areas, the humble honeybee will begin to start collecting nectar as it makes its way around the local area. Over time, they will fill up their little “sacs” of nectar and then when it is full they bring it back to the beehive for storage.
The nectar is then taken to the bees who stay within the hive and they then pass the nectar to each one. They do this via mouth-to-mouth transfer. This is done until the moisture content of the nectar goes from around 70% to just 20%. Once they complete that section of the phase, this slowly but surely turns the nectar into the honey that we all love so much.
The bees then store this honey in the cells of a honeycomb, though this might not always happen right away. Sometimes, too, the mouth-to-mouth section will be avoided and instead it will be taken straight to the honeycomb. This happens when the hive temperature reaches a level that might make it hard to store the goodness otherwise.
The end result
Once the honey is being stored within the storage cells and placed within beeswax, it is left there to wait. This is kept in anticipation of some newborn bees arriving in the near future. Their pollen is then mixed in with the nectar to make a food that is then fed to their larvae. Baby bees need really high volumes of protein in their diets, and this allows for the next generation of bees to grow up strong and healthy ready to carry on the same job that those before them had carried out.
The honey is then kept in here for as long as is needed, and the bee will then return to start flowing again for more pollen. It’s a very innovative and intricate process that, over the millennia, has been mastered by these little geniuses. If you want to see a perfect example of hard work and co-operation, then simply take part in watching some bees make honey!