Library abuzz with beekeeping talk
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Knowledge was buzzing at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library’s Isabel Turner Branch on Saturday for a presentation on all things beekeeping.
Harley Gallagher, vice-president of the Limestone Beekeepers Guild, was invited to speak and was greeted by an enthusiastic, large crowd of young and old.
During the presentation, Gallagher started at the very beginning with what is and is not a bee — one of the largest misconceptions about bees he said during a break in the presentation. Another misconception is that bees just want to sting people, when really it is the opposite.
“I think that a lot of people are afraid of bees because they’ve been stung by a yellow jacket or a wasp,” Gallagher said. “Bees are also a stinging insect, so they think the bees are going to sting them.”
Gallaghar said that while bees are wary of stinging, because they will ultimately die when they lose their stinger, beekeepers are often stung at least once every time they “work the bees.” He told a little boy who asked that a sting does initially hurt, but you get used to it over time and it doesn’t seem so bad.
Gallaghar has gotten so used to the stings that he, like many keepers before him, developed an allergy to the venom in the bee’s stinger. He now sees an immunologist trying to combat the reaction.
“I get the equivalent of two bee stings a month, and at this point I have a lower chance of any reaction to bees than the average person,” Gallagher said before admitting, “it was a little bit frightening for a while.”
He still brings along an EpiPen when he works his bees and has available a few extra in the house for any guests.
The presentation also covered the different types of bees, different ways of keeping colonies, how to cultivate the hive and what in the world is responsible for the decline in bee populations.
Gallaghar told the group that at first it was his wife’s idea to start beekeeping, but it has turned into his obsession.
“Six years ago, we went for an introductory beekeeping course in Port Hope and it’s grown from there,” Gallaghar said. “I have 12 colonies right now, which is more, probably, than the average hobby beekeeper, but far fewer than a commercial beekeeper.
“We have a pretty loyal group of people who purchase honey from us every year, so I sell most of it. That recoups some of my costs of buying bees and equipment.”
He also has a day job to keep his hobby afloat.
“It’s very much on the hobby side. I’m actually an elementary school teacher,” Gallaghar said. “That’s what I need to do to pay for my hobby.”
For those who want to try their hand at beekeeping, Gallagher recommended reaching out for help in person, not just learning though personal research.
“It’s like a trade: it’s best to learn from somebody else,” Gallagher said. “There are a lot of books on beekeeping and a lot of information online, but you need to be wary of what is out there because there is a lot of bad information about bees.”
He also recommended reaching out to the Limestone Beekeepers Guild.
“Come to Sydenham on the third Sunday evening of the month and we’ll set you up with a mentor, an established beekeeper, and they can teach you all about beekeeping,” Gallaghar said. They’ll visit you and you can visit them and it’s a great educational opportunity.”
To learn more about the bees and the guild, go online to www.limestonebeekeepers.ca or search for them on Facebook.
scrosier@postmedia.com
Twitter: @StephattheWhig
