The hero you need to be(e)
Summer is already on our doorstep, which means that the time of eating on balconies and gardens has arrived. All sorts of insects get attracted by the delicacies on our tables and many tend to reach for the flyswatter within the blink of an eye.
Why you shouldn’t just follow your first instinct? It could be a bee. Although wasps and other insects are more likely to be drawn to our food than bees, those buzzing insects are among other pollinators indispensable for biodiversity and food security. Three years ago, already about one third of bee and butterfly populations were declining in Europe. The reasons for insect and therefore bee distinction include among other the excessive use of pesticides, climate change and the weather extremes connected to it1.
Today is World Bee’s Day and one of our colleagues, Jens Wening, gave us an exclusive interview on his life as a hobby-beekeeper and reminded us once again why those animals are so important for humankind.
mc: Hi Jens, thanks so much for taking the time. So, let’s jump right into it! How did you get into beekeeping?
Jens: I have always been fascinated by bees and honey. Unfortunately, there is no one in my family who beekeeps and it is very difficult to find access. At the Christmas market in Friedberg, however, there was a stand of the beekeeper association Friedberg with the announcement that a trial beekeeping is offered and that’s when I seized the opportunity I have been hoping for. Now it has already been 9 years of being a beekeeper.
mc: Wow, that’s quite a long time! Speaks itself for your passion about it. What exactly is it that you enjoy the most?
Jens: Above all, I enjoy working WITH the bees. The honey yield is for me in second place and I want primarily healthy and vital colonies. For this I also operate a breeding and travel with the queens to pollination sites. The time required depends very much on the season. Spring is the high season! In April and May is the wedding, which means that the bees want to swarm and the colonies are preparing the multiplication and breeding. Depending on the weather and the harvest, the bees will be extracted at the end of July and the colonies will be prepared for the winter. Winter is the quiet time for the beekeeper – and the bees of course. The hives and the frames are repaired and preparations are made for the next spring.
mc: Since we’re already talking about your bees and hives, I’ve read some interesting information in preparation for this interview. According to the German Beekeepers' Association, 96% of the members surveyed have between 0 and 25 colonies2. How many colonies do you have and how much honey do you produce?
Jens: Currently I have 10 productive colonies, i.e. colonies that produce honey. In good years 200kg of honey are possible. I have another 8 breeding colonies and 12 offsprings, i.e. colonies that I have grown this year and which will become productive colonies next year.
mc: Did I understand correctly, 200kg?! What do you do with such a huge amount of honey?
Jens: Well, those 200kg are in good years only possible. Last year for example was a rather bad year and thus less outcome. Usually I distribute it among my friends and family.
mc: Good for you then that you’ve got enough “buyers” then. And… how can you manage investing so much time, all while working full-time as Senior Vice President Supply Chain & Internal Engineering for meteocontrol? How many weekly hours do you actually spend as a beekeeper? Don’t get me wrong, we love having you here, but I already feel like my day has way too less hours for all that I want or need to do!
Jens: Well, on average, it is between 10 and 15 hours per week in intensive months. The flexibility of the working time that meteocontrol provides is crucial for this hobby - without this flexibility, it would be much more difficult for me.
mc: I can imagine. Does your family support you, as well?
Jens: Luckily, yes! My family loves my hobby almost as much as I do, even though there is a lot to do in April and May. My 4-years-old son loves honey more than anything and my 5-years-old daughter already has her own beekeeper's suit and would like to have bees herself one day.
mc: Lovely to hear. Do you have any tips for potential new beekeepers or those interested in the topic?
Jens: I recommend everyone to look for a beekeeper association and a mentor who can help new beekeepers with advice and support. Due to climate change and globalization, more and more pests are being introduced and this increases the challenges for beekeepers, as the bees do not recognize these pests as natural enemies. The varroa mite has been around for a very long time and we have learned to live with it. New threats are the small hive beetle and the Asian hornet "Vespa velutina". There are also some rules and regulations to follow - having someone on your side helps to overcome these challenges.
mc: Great tips, now there are no excuses any more for everyone that has beekeeping on their bucket list! I have just one more question for you. Just like the work we do here at meteocontrol to drive the energy transition forward is contributing to a more sustainable future, bees also have a crucial role in our ecosystem, right?
Jens: Indeed, bees are important first and foremost for the ecosystem and humankind. As pollinators of flowers, bees provide us with a vital service. For example, the yield of apple harvest without pollination by bees is only 45% compared to the harvest when the flowers have been pollinated by bees.
I particularly like the following quote by Albert Einstein (1949):
"Once the bee disappears from the earth, man has only four years to live. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more people."
mc: After all your interesting information and having our memories refreshed about the importance of bees, I’m sure that everybody will take a second look when it comes to reaching for the flyswatter this spring and summer. Thank you so much for your time and input!
Sources:
1European Parliament, last accessed 17.05.2022, 20:20 CEST
2German Beekeeper's Association, last accessed 17.05.2022, 20:22 CEST