"Bee in the Know"

Here is list of past "Bee in the Know" trivia and facts.  For more information about these facts, check out the Other Websites tab.

1. Insects pollinate 1/3 of the food we eat. 80% of insect pollination is done by honeybees.
2. During a trip out of the hive, a bee will visit between 50 and 100 flowers.
3. Honeybees dance to show other foragers where a source of pollen/nectar is in relation to the hive and the position of the sun.
4. There are around 2.5 million honeybee hives in the USA
5. There are over 300 different varieties of honey in the United States (these come from the different flowers that the bees visit)

6. The earliest record of humans collecting honey from wild colonies or "honey hunting" is from 7000 BC (or 9,000 years ago!)
7. Honeybees are extremely gentle when they swarm because they have eaten so much honey!
8. Many churches only use beeswax candles because they don't leave a smoky residue on the statues and windows.
9. Some crops, like cucumbers for pickles are dependent on honeybees for pollination. Other fruits, vegetables, and nuts are more abundant if the bees visit them; tomatoes are a good example of this.
10. Beekeepers inspect their hives about every two weeks in the summertime.
11. Scientists found out that honey works just as well as over-the-counter cough medicine to make your scratchy throat feel better.
12. The queen is the only bee in the hive that lays eggs (she'll lay about 1,500 each day)!  These eggs can turn into worker, drone, or a new queen bee.
13. Honeybees pollinate pumpkins and many other vine crops, including cucumbers, watermelons, and cantaloupes!

14. Honey draws in moisture from the air, so you can use it to keep muffins and bread fresh!
15. The pilgrims sweetened all of their dishes with either honey or maple syrup for the first Thanksgiving dinner!
16. There are about 200,000 beekeepers in the United States.
17. Honey will last forever if properly stored. If you have liquid honey that has crystallized, simply soak the jar in some hot (but not boiling) water and it will reliquify.
18. Some beekeepers move their beehives to southern states during the winter. 
19. One of the first groups to keep bees, the Egyptians (along with the Greeks and Romans) also made artwork using beeswax.  It was even used to decorate coffins for mummies!