Exploring the Tireless Bees of Waiblingen
On a rainy August Sunday, bee enthusiasts gathered at the Bee Information House Alvarium in the Waiblingen valley for the "Bee Path to the Alvarium" event. Led by Jörg Bonn and Brigitte Kranzer-Hamatschek, the group embarked on an educational journey to learn about these essential pollinators and the importance of beekeeping.
Fatih Aydin, chairman of the Waiblingen Beekeeping Association, was present to share his knowledge about bees. He explained the structure of a beehive, which consists of a brood chamber and a honey chamber. The brood chamber, located at the bottom of the hive, is where the queen lays her eggs, and the larvae grow. The honey chamber, situated in the upper part of the hive, is where the bees store their honey.
Visitors were given the opportunity to observe honeybees at work or the flight activity at the nesting holes of wild bees at the Alvarium. The Alvarium is currently blooming with colorful flowers, providing a bountiful food source for the nectar-gathering busy bees. People take care of these bees by offering food sources like raspberries, currants, blackberries, and native flowering plants.
During the event, guests made a harvest in the honey chamber, taking away two wooden frames filled with honeycombs. A hand-operated honey extractor was used to extract the honey from the combs. Fatih Aydin demonstrated the use of centrifugal force in the honey extractor, which spins the honey out of the combs without damaging their structure.
A helpful tip from Fatih Aydin was to avoid using tweezers to remove a bee stinger. Instead, he suggested scraping it off with a fingernail. He also shared that only female bees can sting, and the queen rarely does so.
Wasps were present near the beehives during the event, but their presence did not deter the bee enthusiasts from learning and experiencing the world of bees firsthand.
Information days and themed days are offered at the Alvarium from April to September. For more detailed, location-specific information about the Bee Information House Alvarium and its programs, visit www.imkerverein-waiblingen.de.
Eleven-year-old Lars from Bissingen an der Teck assisted in the honey extraction process, demonstrating the keen interest and passion for bees that the event inspired in both children and adults. The Bee Information House Alvarium serves as an ideal place to learn about bees and their importance for nature.
- In addition to the event, the Bee Information House Alvarium offers information days and themed days, providing a great opportunity for individuals to expand their knowledge about bees and beekeeping from April to September.
- To complement the diverse garden plants, people who are enthusiastic about home-and-garden activities could consider planting raspberries, currants, blackberries, and native flowering plants to support the community of bees and contribute to their lifestyle.
- The learning experience did not only cater to adults but also sparked the curiosity of children like Lars from Bissingen an der Teck. With these experiences, education-and-self-development opportunities such as the "Bee Path to the Alvarium" event play a crucial role in fostering interest in gardening, nature, and environmental conservation among future generations.
