1

In Collaboration with










Presents the Beekeeping Training Manual





Putting People at the Centre of Development
Yaaxch Conservation Trust

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents Page

Acknowledgement----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
What is Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) --------------------------------------------4
Introduction to Beekeeping-----------------------------------------------------------------------5
Advantage of Apiculture---------------------------------------------------------------------------5
Characteristic of Africanized bees---------------------------------------------------------------5
A brief history of beekeeping in Belize----------------------------------------------------------6
History of Africanized bees-----------------------------------------------------------------------7
Honey bees- Colonies and development--------------------------------------------------------8
Development stage of the Honey Bee-----------------------------------------------------------9
Queen bee-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
Worker bee-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
Duty pattern of the worker bee after emergence-------------------------------------------10
Diagram of the external and internal structure of a worker bee--------------------------11
Drone------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11
Protective gear and equipment for beekeeping----------------------------------------------11
Overall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11
Veil--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11
Gloves-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Shoes------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Smoker----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Hive tool--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Wax foundation------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Frame-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Wire-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Boxes------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Bottom Board--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Cover (top board) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Frames----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Hive body-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Foundation wax------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
Honey house---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
Things to consider when choosing an apiary site---------------------------------------------13
Location and structure of Apiary---------------------------------------------------------------13
List of some nectar producing plants in Belize-----------------------------------------------13
Apiary management-------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
Basic revision--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Instinct----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Management during the rainy season----------------------------------------------------------14
Management during the dry season------------------------------------------------------------14
Swarming-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Harvesting------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Pest management---------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Ants-prevention-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
3

Moth-prevention-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Birds-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Diseases---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
Varroa Mites----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
American Foulbrood------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
Marketing-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17
International Market------------------------------------------------------------------------------17
Bee products---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18
Honey uses and processing-----------------------------------------------------------------------18
Pollen use (medicines, food and processing) ------------------------------------------------18
Wax use (cosmetics and food processing) ----------------------------------------------------19
Royal jelly Uses------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20
Propolis uses (cosmetics and medicines) -----------------------------------------------------20
Beekeeping Terms---------------------------------------------------------------------------------21
































4


Acknowledgement:

This manual was written to support and encourage community members within the
Maya Golden Landscape in providing information in beekeeping for the production of
Honey. This livelihood activity will provide additional income for farm family while
engaging in sustainable agro-forestry practices within the Landscape.
Funding for this manual was made possible by the Caribbean Network for Integrated
Rural Development (CNIRD) that was implemented by Yaaxche.

The Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD) is an independent
regional non-government organization, which was launched in Jamaica in 1988.

CNIRDS Mission is to promote sustainable and environmentally sound development,
through consultation with and the involvement of communities and their relevant
entities, in order to improve the quality of life in rural areas and the well-being of
Caribbean people.

Tumul Kin Center of Learning located in Blue Creek Village also provided technical
support and information needed for beekeeping training, field visit for new farmers in
Indian Creek on hands on experience in dealing with honey bees.

What is Integrated Landscape Management (ILM)

ILM is a way of planning of how land will be used and resources will be managed.
It looks at planning from the whole landscape perspective, taking into account
all activities, in order to reduce cumulative impacts. ILM is a mechanism for
making comprehensive decision based on multiple objectives- decisions that
results in healthy forest and communities.

Yaaxche over the past 3 years is actively promoting ILM within the Mayan
Golden Landscape, assisting and providing support to communities in livelihood
activities, better management practices of their natural resources and adopting
better farming practices that is environmentally friendly that eventually leads to
sustainable development.

Now with the effects of Climate Change farming has become more challenging,
especially for small farmers that is struggling for survival. Weather condition
affects their usual planting and harvesting season for cash crops such as beans,
rice and corn. Pest and disease out breaks becomes more frequent and affect
crop yields that a small farmer is depending on. Small farmers need to adapt to
better farming practices that will reduce the impacts of Climate Change and at
the same time continue to provide the basic needs of the family.

An Agro-forestry farming system is one method or technique that a farmer can
adapt and implement to reduce the impact of Climate Change and at the same
5

time continue to produce crops needed by the farm family. This has to be plan
well so that an area of land can be utilized properly, in cooperating a variety
beneficial tree species; legume, timber and fruit trees, root crops, vegetable
crops and other cash crops. In addition to all these crops beekeeping for honey
production fits in nicely within a good agro-forestry system. Bees will not just
produce honey for additional income but will also assist the farmer in pollinating
his crops for better yields. If honey bees are well managed they will produce 80-
100 lbs of quality honey per hive during the dry season. Bees will enjoy
harvesting nectar and pollens from a variety of flowering plants in a good Agro-
forestry farm.

1. Introduction to Beekeeping

Africanized bees wi1l continue to spread throughout the Americas in the years
ahead. This means the adaptations of new methods, for handling the bees will reduce
the risk of dangerous harm to the handler himself, as well as to neighbors and animals
close to the apiary.
Since early civilization beekeeping has been one of the means of providing food
and adding nutritional value, to diets. Scientific research has shown that honey has
sugars, protein, minerals, and vitamins important in our diet. The discovery of this
value has moved the general population to consume more honey for health reasons.
The increased, consumption has increased the demand, therefore creating the
opportunity for many small farmers to become beekeepers. Taking into consideration
the importance of these small insects in the process of crop pollination, the
significance of apiaries has increased within the agricultural sector since they aid with
higher yields.
Bees are social insects since they live in colonies and work for the survival of the
entire colony. This group work is achieved since each member has a specific job to
do. Their sex and future job is defined while still in the brood. This is partly
controlled by the queens pheromones and the kind of food they are being fed while
growing. At first, in Belize honeybees were introduced as pollinators in the northern
districts for the sugar industry. The farmers saw that they produced honey very fast,
thus complementing income from sugarcane production. As more farmers become
beekeepers, and their techniques improve, better management of honey bees in
Belize is being realized.

1.1 Advantages of Apiculture.
a. Provides valuable food
b. Environmentally friendly, only positive effects on the eco-system
c. Earns much-needed foreign exchange (Exportation)
d. Requires no large investment after establishment.
e. Contributes to pollination, thus increasing crop production.
f. Requires practically no space on the farm
g. Provides some employment


6


2. CHARACTERISTICS OF AFRICANIZED BEES

The Africanized bees can easily be recognized from the European bees by their main
characteristics. (Looks)

1. Africanize bees are smaller, but are similar in shape.
2. Africanized bees fly faster than the European bees.
3. Africanized bees can enter the colony without stopping on the landing board.
4. They start to work earlier and stop working later in the evening.
5. They attack weak colonies and replace the queen with Africanized queen
6. They are more defensive and they usually attack in large groups.
7. They have a defense area of up to 10 kilometer (5/8 mile).
8. Many times, when disturbed they can remain angry and attacking for up to a
day.
9. Africanized bees can easily adapt to different environments; this permits
them to invade areas very quickly and form their own colonies.

A. Difference between African and European bees
Table 1
I
European African
Size 92 mg/wt 61 mg/wt
Development period 21 days 18-19 days
Cell size (average) 5.2-5.3 mm 4.8-4.9 mm
Adult lifespan 21 days 12-18 days
X time to become angry 43 seconds 23 seconds
Chasing 40.5 minutes 160 minutes
To become calm 2.88 minutes 28.5 minutes
Absconding 0 50-100 %
Queen laying 2000 eggs 4-5000 eggs
Drones Very active Less active


3. A BRIEF HISTORY OF BEEKEEPING IN BELIZE

The Maya Indians initially produced honey in Belize with stingless bees (Mellipona
and Trigona). Honey production was less but enough for their food, wine and
medicine. Boxes were not necessary for production. Instead they kept the bees in logs
and they periodically harvested by breaking the honey pot and thus allowing the
honey to flow out of the log for collection. The production was very minimal;
therefore this type of beekeeping was not very popular. However in 1957, European
bees (Apis mellifera) were brought from Mexico as pollinators for the sugar industry in
Corozal and Orange Walk. When farmers saw their ability to produce more honey,
beekeeping became popular, thus increasing the number of beekeepers and hives
throughout the country of Belize.
7

With high production and enthusiasm, 7 cooperatives were formed. The forecast
was excellent, since the industry production countrywide amounted to 270,000 lbs. In
1983, Belize reached its maximum number of hives. (10,000 hives) producing 60.3 lbs.
per hive. The highest production ever recorded was in 1985, with only 6,972 hives
with an average of 71.65 lbs. of honey/hive/year. The lowest was in 1998, with a
production of only 98,260 lbs. of honey. The product was exported in 55-gallon drums
to U. K, Canada, Saudi Arabia and the U.S.A.
Between 1983 and 1987, when the problems of marijuana spraying, Varroa mites
and Africanized bees arose and production declined which resu1ted in the decline of
the cooperatives membership. This further continued because of aerial spraying, of
marijuana fields which resulted in the elimination of the natural flora, thereby
reducing the food source for bees, and increased bee poisoning from pesticides.
In 1987, after the Africanized bees came to Belize, many more beekeepers
abandoned their apiaries, because they were not trained to deal with their
aggressiveness, and were afraid of deadly attacks due to lack of appropriate
protective gear.
Training however continued for farmers interested in beekeeping and in 2000, 10
individuals formed the Maya Mopan Beekeepers Cooperative in Stann Creek, and 7
formed the Indian Church Group, production steadily increased, until the effects of
hurricane Keith in late 2000. However, in central and southern parts of Belize the
production was not affected until the devastation of hurricane Iris in 2001. Production
in the Toledo district has declined to a minimal until recent interest, sparkled by local
and international demand for honey.
Now more farmers are seeing the potential of beekeeping, with the integration of
agriculture. Donor Agencies such as PACT, GEF/SGP, Belize Audubon Society and
Programme for Belize and recently the CNIRD have become interested in beekeeping
by funding projects that use natural reserved areas for the production of honey and
positive environmental effects. Tumul Kin Center of Learnings has taken the lead in
encouraging new farmers in honey production in the Toledo District. Through the
funding of Caribbean Network for Integrated Rural Development (CNIRD), Yaaxche
with the technical support of Tumul Kin Center of Learnings intends train and
encourages more farmers in Indian Creek and other communities within the Maya
Golden Landscape.

4. HISTORY OF ARICANIZED BEES

Brazilian investigators believed that the African bees would improve the quality
of the European bees and therefore imported African Queens in 1956: Since the
African bees are tropical bees it was assumed that they would be less susceptible
diseases increase production, and produce colonies that adapt easily to the tropical
conditions. In 1957, 26 African queens and their colonies escaped from the apiary and
started to breed with the European bees forming a hybrid now known as the
Africanized bees. They began migrating north and later appeared in Honduras, EL
Salvador and in Belize. It is reported that they have reached as far as the United
States of America.
They have the same characteristics as their ancestors the African bees. They can
8

reproduce very rapidly. Africanized drones can fertilize European queens thus
converting a European colony into an Africanized colony.
They have unjustly received the name of killer bees because of their natural way
of defense, which makes them more aggressive, Deaths of domestic animals and
persons have been reported due to attacks, which have occurred primarily when
colonies have been accidentally disturbed.

5. HONEY BEES----COLONIES AND DEVELOPMENT
Picture 1








9



Development stage of the Honey Bee
Picture 2





Metamorphosis development of the three casts
Biological cycle of the three cast of the colony
Table 2
Queen Worker Drone
Egg 3 days 3 days 3 days
Larvae 5+1/2 days 6 days 6+1/2 days
Pupa 7+1/2 days 12 days 14+1/2 days
Total Days 16 days 21 days 24 days


A) Queen Bee

The queen bee is the most important bee in the colony because she is responsible
for the laying of eggs and ensuring that there is always a continuation of the colony. A
queen can lay from 1,500 to 3,000 eggs per day Her job is only to lay eggs, and not to
collect nectar, pollen, feed or care for her young.
10

The temperature of the brood, the kind and amount she is fed controls her laying
capacity. Normally, there is only one queen in a colony. The queen lays two types of
eggs, the fertilized eggs that can produce both queens and workers and the
unfertilized eggs that only produce drones. (males)
The queen bee is bigger than the worker bees. She is given to eat royal jelly
throughout her lifetime. At about 6 days after she becomes an adult, she will fly a
distance for up to 200 yards, where she will meet thousands of drones in congregation
(together) waiting to mate with her. The queen will mate with about 8 to 10 drones
only, and the sperm is stored in her spermatic sac. At about 6 days after mating, she
will begin laying eggs, about as much as her weight, daily. She produces a pheromone
(acid) that will not allow the development of the reproductive organs on the other
bees therefore they become workers.

B) Worker Bee

The worker bee is a female bee that has undeveloped reproductive organs. They
are unable to mate, but they may assume egg laying if the colony becomes queenless.
Their unfertilized eggs will produce only drones. They are adopted especially to work,
by hunting flowering plants and collecting nectar for honey production, wax, cleaning
the hive, feeding the larvae, storing honey and pollen in cells and hive protection.
Each worker bee has barbed sting that is lost when she stings, causing her to loose her
life

B. 1 Duty pattern of the worker bee after emergence.

1-3 days- young bee would clean up her cell or cells for queen to lay in or for honey
storage
3-6 days- by this time the feed the older larvae with nectar and pollen.
6-9 days -their g1ands are developed and ready to produce bees milk or royal jelly.
9-12 day- bee start to build comb and seal cells which contain honey or larvae.
12-15 days- At this age the bees already transfer pollen and nectar to the comb from
the field bees which arrive with the product at the entrance of the hive. They are
also involved in the fanning of the honey in order to evaporate excess water thus
reaching correct water moisture (18%) to allow proper storage.
15-18 days- At this stage, the workers do the guard duties at the entrance of the hive.
During this period the bees takes short flights around the hive and learn the exact
location of the hive. After this the bee may become a field bee, collecting nectar,
pollen, water and propolis.








11


B. Diagram of the external and internal structure of a worker bee
Picture 3



DRONE
They are the male bees hatched from infertile eggs. They are heavier and shorter
than the queens but larger than the workers. They are useless to work. Their only
purpose is to mate and fertilize the queen. They eat a lot; therefore, they are driven
out to starve during a shortage of stored food, or at the end of a honey season.

6. PROTECTIVE GEAR AND EOUIPMENT FOR BEEKEEPING

Africanized bees are aggressive and do attack in large groups, therefore you need
protective gear to reduce the risk of stings. A complete bee suit is best with an
overall, veil, hat, gloves and proper shoes, wax foundations, frames and wire.

a. Overall
A bee suit should always hang loosely over the body, to prevent stings to
penetrate the material and skin. It should have elastic at the wrist and ankles to
avoid easy entrance of bees into the suit. The overall should be made of thick
material. The best color is white so as to reduce attacks.
b. Veil
Basically same material, except for a wiring mesh at the front to allow a perfect
12

view of the surrounding. It works in conjunction with a hard hat to proper cover the
head and skirts the mesh over your face to reduce bee sting on the face.

c. Gloves
They should be of a soft and smooth leather, elbow length, and elastic wrap at
the end.

d. Shoes
Better to use high leather shoes or rubber boots.

e. Smoker
One of the most important equipment, since it will produce the smoke to help
keep the bees calm while inspecting the hives.

f. Hive tool
Used to open difficult to open boxes and to remove frames from boxes without
disturbing the bees.

g. Wax foundation
A first layer of wax that is fixed on the frame, on which the bees will continue to
add their wax to build complete cells.

h. Frame
The wooden fixture that supports the wax foundation, brood, pollen and honey
filled cells. They are removable at harvesting for honey extraction.
i.Wire
It serves as a mesh to keep in place the wax foundation on the frame.

7. BOXES

(a) Bottom Board -Same size as the hive, except for an extra 3 inches in length for
landing board at the entrance. Remember that Africanized bees may not land on
board.

(b) Cover - (top board) Must fit tightly on top and be rain proof.

(c) Frames - Used for holding the comb on which the brood (young ones) is reared,
honey and pollen is stored. A wire support is added to hold the foundation wax.

(d) Hive Body - Has many names (brood chamber, super, food chamber, depending on
its purpose.

(e) Foundation wax - Placed on frames that have stainless steel support. Bees build on
wax.

(f) Honey Houses - A shed or small house near the apiary, used when the honey is
13

extracted. Extracting in the open may increase the possibility of contamination.

Things to consider when choosing an apiary site:
Nectar and pollen source
Water source
Sufficient shade
Air circulation
Wind breaks/barriers
Vandalism
Protection from nearby people and livestock
Protection from fire and flood
Easy access to the beekeeper
Nearby insecticide use

8. LOCATIONA AND STRUCTURE OFAPIARY

Location is very important, for better bee adaptation to work and to reduce domestic
and general public injuries. Adequate measurements are:
About 200 yards away from houses and streets.
About 3 kilometers away from cities (3000 yards)
Not more than 30-35 colonies in apiary. (More will increase competition on
resources of nectar for honey production.
Space hives about 2-1/2 yards from each other.
Should have physical natural barriers around apiary.

8.1 List of some nectar producing plants in Belize
a. Citrus (all)
b. Mango
c. Avocado
d. Coconut
e. Palms
f. Pimento
g. Vegetables crops that produce flowers
h. Madre cacao
i. Bukut
j. Tambran
k. Crabboo
l. All other vines or shrubs that produce attractive flowers.

9. APIARY MANAGEMENT

Depending on the aggressiveness of bees, a beekeeper can decide when best to work.
Nevertheless colonies should be checked every 15 days maximum. Revision should be
done quickly and calmly. It is best in the evenings since all bees have usually returned
in the evening for the night rest. If colonies do not show reduction on aggressiveness,
14

then the queen most be changed to a European queen for future less aggressive bees.

(a) Basic revision should include;
See if there are nectar reserves.
If there are eggs with an evenly laying pattern. (This will indicate the strength of
the queen)
Check for pests and diseases.

(b) Hives are potentially powerful at the beginning of the flowering season. (Jan.-
Feb.) A hive may have a population of 30,000 bees. Such a size of colony will need
added supers with wax, thus providing more space for bees to store honey and
reproduction.

Sealed honeycombs mean time to harvest. Remember to leave some honey for
successful rearing of their young. At this time a colony may be divided so as to
increase the number of hives.

(c) Management during the Rainy Season:
This is a difficult time for the bees. Normally there is a high incidence of
diseases, abandoned hives and food shortage. Avoid excess bee handling at this time.
It is wise to treat against diseases and feeding of colonies.

(d) Management during the dry season: (good management is needed for better
results). During the dry season the queen will 1ay many eggs on the upper boxes,
therefore they should be moved to the lower first or second box. All honey reserves
should be moved to the upper box. During this period it is very critical because it is
the season to harvest. After the honey flow it is recommended to split or divide your
colonies. This practice may reduce the chances of swarming.

10. SWARMING

Very difficult to avoid, therefore proper monitoring of hives after the end of the rainy
season is very important. No space to work, (overcrowding) natural enemies, and
shortage of food can lead to swarming. This can reduce your number of hives.

11. HARVESTING

Harvesting is the same as in European bees. When about 75% of the frames with honey
are sealed, the honey can be harvested. The supers should be removed from the
apiary and taken to the honey house for extraction by using a stainless steel
extractor. The frames should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Africanized bees do
not store honey in large amounts, therefore it is necessary to harvest more
frequently, at least once a month. Smokers may be used in an even slow manner and
not using excess smoke. It is best to harvest in the evening or at night. This can help
to avoid attacks to humans and animals in the surrounding area. Remember to leave
some honey for reserve for the bees. The honey may be stored in stainless steel
15

containers.

Some of the basic tools needed for harvesting are:
a. Complete overall for total protection of handler.
b. Smoker - produce smoke that will reduce the aggressiveness of the bees.
c. Hive tool to pry hard to open boxes.
d. Uncapping tank or basin used for collecting the wax and spilled honey at
uncapping.
e. Extractor - this equipment actually removes the honey out of the cells by its
internal spinning mechanism.

12. PEST MANAGEMENT

A.Ants

Ants can be one of the fastest and deadliest enemies of the bees. They will normally
intrude into a hive and kill the bees and steal the honey from them. The bees
normally abandon the hive when ants attack them.
Prevention:
There are many ways of preventing these types of attacks. It may be a good idea to
apply burnt oil or mechanical grease to the foot of each stand, while keeping the
grass low at all times. At Tumul Kin Center of Learning, tires were utilized, and cut
in half, like a doughnut style cut. They were then filled with water, creating an
isolated island for the hives away from the ants. This method needs constant
monitoring for bridged troughs by a growing plant, or dried limbs that fall from trees
may render the method ineffective.

B. Moth

This is a grey colored moth that enters the hive very easily. The adults lay their eggs
on the frames. When hatched, the larvae eat through the cells thus destroying them.
They feed off the stored pollen and can force a colony to leave the hive. If seen it is
easy to remove the larvae from the hive.

Prevention:
It is very important to keep the boxes covers and bases clean, because these are
excellent places for the Moth. Make sure that the supers are stocked neatly, allowing
no space for the moth to enter. Burning of sulfur at the base of the stack boxes will
eliminate the moths and eggs.

C. Birds
They are really a threat because they eat the bees when they are exiting, re-entering
the hive or at work out in the fields. There is no effective treatment against the birds
at this time.


16

13. DISEASES

A. Varroa Mites

Varroa mites cause Varroasis, which is one of the diseases that affect Africanized
bees.
Symptoms:
Varroa mites visible on the bees.
Deformed bees.
Unproductive hive.
High mortality rate of brood.
Treatment:
First you need to determine the level of mite infestation. Constant watch over the
hives and bees will enable a beekeeper to maintain tolerant levels of infestation that
are not harmful to production. The level of infestation may be seen by placing a
collecting tray with a mesh screen allowing the mites to tall on the tray. An average
of mites may indicate level of infestation.

Table 3
Population of Mites Rank Treatment
Less than 5 low None required
5-7 medium Biological control
Over 10 high Chemical treatment

Biological control:
Biological control is recommended to reduce the speed at which the mites
develop resistance to the chemical used. This consists of eliminating the drone brood
in the hive. Also the queen can be removed to allow the workers to lay eggs that will
only produce drones. These drones may be destroyed to reduce population of mites.

Chemical Control:
Apistan strips are the chemicals used. Two are burned per colony. You can also use
Bayticol and Bayberol as spray. These are used for mite control

B. AMERICA FOUL BROOD

This is a very destructive disease that is caused by a microscopic bacteria (very
small and cannot be seen) called bacillus larvae, which produces spores, that lives in
the hive, pollen and honey. They reduce the population of bees by killing the larvae.
It can be transmitted from an infected colony to a healthy one when the bees actually
steal honey or pollen. Without a proper control the entire apiary may be destroyed.
Symptoms:
a. Brown sunken cells.
b. Foul odor similar to spoiled fish.
c. The dead larvae are brown in color.
d. Weak laying pattern with many empty cells.
17

e. The dead larvae are liquid and sticky.
f. The dead larvae can be found at the bottom of the cell with their tongue out
and glued to the upper part of the cell.
Treatment:
The only way to control this disease is to burn the colony.
So far there is no medicine to cure this disease; therefore it is better to loose a
colony than to loose an entire apiary.

To control the spreading of this disease to healthy colonies you should:
Sterilize all equipment that comes in contact with infected colony.
Seal the infested colony to ensure no visits of other bees.
Burn the infested box with brood and frames and if possible bury the
remains.


14. MARKETING OF HONEY

For a business to be successful, it is important that the producers know a little more
than the production aspect of the business. Unfortunately, this important function is
usually ignored. This should include knowledge of available markets both local and
international, pricing and the variation of price due to seasonal production, how other
markets affect theirs and the appropriate time for selling. Some beekeepers have
taken beekeeping management a step further by improving their packaging and
labeling for honey sold domestically.


15 INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

The world production for 1999 was 2,425,000 metric tons of honey of which 27% is
exported. The main exporter of honey is China, followed by Argentina, Mexico,
Eastern Europe and Australia. The main importer is the European Union that imported
47% of the honey in 1998. In 2000, only 300,000 metric tons were imported. Other
major importers are the U.S.A. and Japan.
There are two separate types of honey: table honey and industrial honey. The
industrial honey is used mainly in the food industry especially for bakery, cereals and
beverages. It is a good quality honey, bought at a lower price due to higher HMF
(hydromethylfurfural) than permitted, therefore used for industrial purposes.
The table honey is used as spreads or sweetener and has a higher price, on the market
as it is sold directly to the consumer.
An increase in consumption of natural and dietary products, increase the demand of
honey as a healthy food. This has stimulated an increase in world production of
honey. This also has lead to the development of new regulations which strictly
reduces the levels of heavy metals veterinary drugs and pesticide residues that are
permitted in the honey.
Due to its vast protected, low usage of pesticides, and large areas that are
uninhabited, Belize has no problem in meeting these requirements. In collaboration
18

with partners, such as TUMUL KIN and the CNIRD and Community members of Indian
Creek Yaaxch is working hand in hand to continue educating young minds in
sustainable organic agricultural practices. These practices friendly to the entire eco-
system for maximum crop production by bee pollination and higher yield in honey,
additional income for the farmer with no pesticides residues.

16. BEE PRODUCTS

A. HONEY

Aside from being a natural sweetener, honey is a mixture of sugars like fructose,
glucose, and maltose among others. The honey is comprised of about 80% sugars. They
are formed when enzymes are added to the nectar in the combs. The moisture in the
nectar is about 13-25%; the bees remove this moisture as they convert it to honey.
The flavor of honey is due to acids such as formic, acetic, tartaric, oxalic, lactic,
amino acids etc. It also contains proteins and enzymes. Honey is primarily a high-
energy carbohydrate, which is easily digested due to its simple sugar contents. The
sugar and acid content in the honey allows it to be stored for a long time without
spoiling. This is achieved if the moisture content is kept below 17%. Too much
moisture could contribute to fermentation of the honey.

Uses
Honey is used as a sweetener in bakery, confectionery, and beverage industries. It
gives the foods their delicate taste. It is also used for some beauty products like
shampoos, facial and other creams among other products since it helps to rejuvenate
skin.

Processing
After extraction the honey is filtered and then placed in settling tanks or drums for
further extraction of moisture. In most cases, this is the only processing practice that
is done, however big processing plants heat the honey to facilitate the elimination of
debris from the honey by filtering. Honey is consumed in its natural liquid state
however it can also be consumed as creamed honey.


B. POLLEN

Pollen grains are small reproductive cells formed on the anthers of flowering plants
that are transferred to the stigma of a flower by wind, water and insects among which
the honeybee is the most important one. Pollen contains protein fat, minerals and
vitamins. Pollen changes its composition depending on the species of plants from
which the bees collect it. The addition of enzymes to the pollen initiates lactic acid
fermentation thus producing beebread. This beebread is then feed to the workers
when they about 3 days old.


19

Uses
Medicine:
Pollen has not been officially recognized as a medicinal drug. However it is used for
various purposes in medicine, such as desensitization of allergic patients and various
prostate problems. There may be other medicinal uses in traditional medicine, which
have not been published in readily accessible journals.

Food:
Pollen is used as food or as a food supplement even though there are no controlled
experiments done on humans that show any real benefits when taken as a food
supplement.

Processing:
Not much processing practices are carried out with pollen. After the pollen is
harvested from the hive, much attention on the deterioration caused by moulds,
bacteria and insects should be made. The pollen should be dried under a constant low
heat produced by a bulb. (25 watts) Do not overheat. This will increase the shelf
storage life of the pollen.

C. Wax

Wax can be obtained from a variety of plant and animal substances like leaves, palms,
sugar refining and stingless bees as well as from petroleum. Therefore each wax has
its own physical and chemical characteristics, which can be used for multiple
purposes. One wax that has a wide spectrum of applications is the honeybee wax. The
young worker bees have 8 wax glands on the underside of the abdomen from which
they secrete wax. To get the right texture for the repair of combs, capping the
ripened honey and building cells, it is chewed before using.

Uses
Most producers reuse the wax in their apiaries after they are made into foundation
sheets. Sometimes it is used as a preservative, or for baiting swarm traps. Bee wax
was the major ingredient for candles before petroleum became popular, because it is
cheaper and melts at a lower temperature.

Cosmetics
It is used in cosmetics because it gives solidity to emulsions; increase the water
capacity of a specific cream and helps in the appearance of the product.

Food Processing:
Bees wax has been used in a variety of products and processes from packaging to
processing and preservation. A common application for bee wax is the protection of
containers against the effects of acids from fruit juices or honey.



20



D. ROYAL JELLY

Young bees secret royal jelly from glands that is located on the head of the bee. Only
the queen bee is fed at all times with royal jelly. It is whitish in color, with yellow or
beige tinges and a characteristic sour taste. The principal constituents of royal jelly
are water, protein, sugar lipids and mineral salts.

Uses
Some people claim that royal jelly helps general health by increasing appetites
resistance to viral infections, assists with anorexia, improves skin conditions,
cholesterol level, arteriosclerosis and high and low blood pressure. It is used as tonic,
an anti-wrinkle cream, or to normalize sebaceous secretions. Scientific evidence has
shown that royal jelly has some antibiotic effects.

E. PROPOLIS

Propolis is a mixture of bee wax and resins that the bees collect from plants. The
bees use their mandibles to scrape the resins off the tees and carry it along with the
pollen pellets. They use the propolis to seal entrances, and also to seal animals or
insects inside the hive to protect them from diseases It is yellow to dark brown in
color depending on the origin of resins.

Uses
Cosmetics:

Propolis has both dermatological and cosmetic applications and is commonly used for
the regeneration of tissue. Its bactericidal and fungicidal characteristics make it ideal
for cosmetics.

Medicine:
It is used to treat cardiovascular and blood system (Anemia), dental care,
dermatology, (tissue regeneration, ulcers, wound healing- particularly burn wounds,
mucous membrane infections and lesions), cancer treatment, immune system support
and improvement, digestive tract (ulcers and infections), liver protection and
support.
Food - The propolis can be used in chunks or ground into fine powder. Large pieces
can be chewed directly, however small quantities are recommended to prevent upset
stomach.





21





Beekeeping Terms

Beeswax- Waxy materials produce by worker bees and used to build combs.

Drones- Male bees, there main function in the colony is to fertilize the queen.

Larva- grub like immature form of bee, after it has developed from egg and before it
has gone into resting stage in preparation for the change to adult form.

Queen- Completely develop female who lays eggs and rules the colony.

Pupa- immature form of bee during the resting while changing to the adult form.

Workers- incompletely developed female bees that do not normally lay eggs. They
gather nectar and convert it to honey and take care of the immature bees.

Nectar- sweet fluid produced by flowers and converted into honey by bees.

Pollen- very small dust-like grains produced by flowers, these are the male germ cells
of plants.

Propolis- brownish gum gathered by bees from trees and buds. They use it to close
opening in the hive and sealing of the cells.

Royal Jelly- milky white secretion of young nurse bees that is fed to queen larvae
throughout their lives and to worker and drone larvae only during their larva lives.

Hive Body- first two boxes placed on the bottom board. The hive bodies will contain
the brood nest of the colony.

Super- supplementary boxes placed on top of the hive body for storage of surplus
honey.

Supercede- when a colony with an old or failing queen rears a daughter to replace
her.

Foundation- thin sheet of beeswax imprinted with the pattern of honey cells by metal
rollers when it is processed. These sheets are fastened into frames as starters for
the bees in making the combs.

Frames- the removable wooden structure, which are placed in the hive bodies and
22

supers. Bees build their combs within these forms.


Notes