Did you know that all of the worker bees are female, that they live for about six weeks, and that one bee produces 1/12 teaspoon of honey in her lifetime? These female worker bees are equipped with a stinger which, if engaged, sees her ultimate demise. The males, or drones, are sans-stinger and their only job is to sit around and procreate. And the queen bee, who can live for up to five years, lays up to 2,500 eggs per day.
Sooke’s own honey farm, Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery, celebrated National Honey Bee Awareness Day in style on May 25.
On the tour, co-owner Bob Liptrot showed how the honey was extracted from the hive, and discussed the process of making mead. He also discussed the importance of maintaining the health of the bee and, as an “old-fashion beekeeper” with more than 35 years of experience, Lipton continues the tradition of feeding bees with their own pollen and honey.
Back at the tasting room, co-owner Dana LeCompte offered mead tastings along with an informed description. Needless to say, that was a popular, post-tour gathering spot.
And outside, as expected, bees hummed busily about, too busy with their own labours to bother with the curious humans mulling about.