Honey Bee Facts

Why Learn About Honeybees?

We at Barters Island Bees have a particular interest in educating the public about the wonders of honeybees. We’re passionate about sharing that knowledge so others can join our efforts to protect honeybees. 

	Honeybees are the only insects that produce food eaten by humans.
	A honeybee visits between 50 and 100 flowers during one collecting trip. Along the way, it pollinates the plants so they can reproduce, which is crucial to our environment.
	To produce a pound of honey, bees fly about 55,000 miles and visit about 2 million plants and flowers. A single honeybee will make about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.
	Honeybee activity makes up to 80 percent of crop pollination in the United States.
	Honeybee queens are essential to the process of making honey and can live up to four years if properly cared for.
	Honeybees communicate by dancing, and even vote for things like the location of new colonies. If enough worker bees imitate a scout bee’s dance, the motion is passed!
	The population of honeybees in the United States is in decline due to environmental factors. Since they’re responsible for the pollination of 35 percent of our food supply, it’s crucial we do everything we can to protect them.
	The tips of a honeybee’s antennae have around 300 taste sensors!