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Should You Get Italian Honey Bees?
As a beekeeper myself, I’ve spent countless hours observing these beautiful golden bees, and they are truly something special.
When people think of honey bees, often the Italian honey bee is the one that pops to mind, and for good reason. They are a cornerstone of modern beekeeping across the globe, and their queens, in particular, hold a fascinating key to the success of a thriving hive.
My journey into beekeeping was, in many ways, a journey into the world of Apis mellifera ligustica. I remember first getting a package of these bees from CAL Ranch. It was a small, buzzing box of potential – and being immediately struck by their beauty and gentle nature.
That’s one of the primary reasons they are so widely favored: their docility. Now, don’t get me wrong, they can still sting, but when handled calmly and respectfully, they rarely resort to it.
Compared to some of their more aggressive cousins, like the Carniolan or the notoriously defensive Africanized bees, the Italian honey bee's temperament makes them a dream to work with. Many consider them the best honey bees for beginners.
Why Choose Italian Honey Bees for Your Hive?
So, what makes the Italian honey bee so well-suited to beekeeping? Let’s break it down. Firstly, they are prolific honey producers. Their foraging zeal is remarkable, and they are incredibly efficient at gathering nectar. They will continue to forage well into the late afternoon, and even on cooler days when other breeds might stay put in the hive.
Their light, golden coloration makes them easy to spot against the green foliage, a real bonus for the beekeeper trying to observe them in the field.
But their honey production isn't their only selling point. They are also excellent at building comb, using wax efficiently to create those perfect hexagonal cells that make up their hive. This is important for hive health, as it’s not only where they store honey and pollen but where the queen lays her eggs and where the young develop into adult bees.
They also tend to be very clean bees, keeping the hive tidy and removing debris and dead bees diligently. This hygiene contributes to the Italian honey bee's moderate disease resistance. Speaking of disease, Italian honey bees are moderately resistant to some common honey bee diseases and pests, though they are not immune.
The Power of the Italian Queen Bee
The Italian queen bee is truly the royalty of the whole operation. While a worker bee may live only a matter of weeks, a queen, in optimal conditions, can live for several years, and her primary role is reproduction.
She is the only fertile female in the hive, and her sole purpose is to lay eggs to keep the colony alive and thriving. She's not a ruler in the monarchical sense, but more of a reproductive engine.
The lifespan of an Italian queen bee is influenced by factors such as genetics, nutrition, and hive conditions. But I’ve seen well-managed queens last for 3-4 years, laying thousands of eggs each day during peak season.
A young queen will typically lay fertilized eggs which become workers, and unfertilized eggs, which will develop into drones (males).
When I talk about my queens, I don't just see them as egg-laying machines. They are quite remarkable in their own right. When I hold a frame with a queen on it, I can't help but notice her.
She's noticeably larger than the other bees, with a longer abdomen and a slightly different way of moving.
She's typically surrounded by a small entourage of attendant workers who care for her, feeding her royal jelly and grooming her. This jelly is a nutrient-rich secretion from young worker bees, specifically made to ensure her continued health and egg-laying abilities.
The Process of Queen Rearing
The process of creating a new queen is an interesting one. There are a few scenarios in which the workers decide to create one.
Sometimes it is done when the hive grows so large it decides to swarm, and part of the colony will leave with an old queen, leaving behind young bees to create a new one.
Other times, they decide they need to make a new one if they sense the old one is failing or dying. In this case, young larvae that have been fed royal jelly are selected and put in special, larger cells. These are sometimes called queen cups.
They become fully-fledged queens through a process known as "queen rearing". When she hatches, the new queen will take several mating flights, collecting sperm from multiple drones during these excursions.
The sperm is stored in a special organ called the spermatheca, and she uses it to fertilize eggs throughout her life. These multiple matings are key to the genetic diversity of the colony.
Introducing a New Queen
Because a new queen is so important, beekeepers sometimes introduce a new queen to a colony for different reasons. One might choose to introduce a queen from a specific lineage that they know is more suited for their particular environment or one with greater honey production.
If I wanted to introduce a new queen to a hive, I would typically do it in a special cage designed for this purpose. This allows the bees to gradually get used to her pheromones before she is released into the hive.
This introduction helps avoid the risk of the workers rejecting her which could lead to her death. Beekeepers often ask how to introduce a new queen bee, and this method is what we suggest and it is widely used. It is not foolproof, but the best way we know of today.
The Importance of Queen Pheromones
The Italian queen bee's pheromones are also critically important. These are chemical signals that she uses to communicate with the workers.
One of the most important pheromones is the "queen substance." This pheromone, spread throughout the hive, signals that the colony is healthy and that there is a fertile queen present. Without it, the workers might start building queen cells to create a new one, or they could stop functioning normally.
Selecting an Italian Queen Bee
There are variations within the Italian honey bee population, too. Some lines have been selectively bred for specific traits.
For instance, some queens are known for producing offspring with a particularly strong honey-gathering instinct, while others may be favored for their gentle nature. When I’m selecting an Italian queen bee for my hive, I take into consideration the traits I’m looking for.
Many professional queen breeders will keep very specific records of the qualities of each queen’s progeny.
Potential Drawbacks of Italian Honey Bees
Despite the many advantages of the Italian honey bee, they do have a couple of drawbacks. For example, their prolific honey production can sometimes lead them to over-winter with excessive stores, which can be problematic in colder climates where moisture build-up and fermentation are potential problems.
From what we have seen, they also have a tendency to rob honey from weaker colonies, which can be a problem if a beekeeper isn’t watching their hives carefully.
Another issue I see sometimes is that they tend to start brood rearing early in the spring which can be problematic if a sudden cold spell hits and the larvae are vulnerable.
Managing Italian honey bee hives requires careful attention to these potential challenges.
Why Italian Honey Bees Remain a Top Choice
However, for the majority of beekeepers, the pros of keeping Italian honey bees far outweigh the cons. The ease of handling, their efficient foraging, and their reliable honey production make them an excellent choice, particularly for those just starting out.
I have to say that Italian honey bees are a great example of how careful selection and management can create an unique partnership between humans and the bees we keep.
As I continue to learn more about beekeeping, one thing is certain: the Italian honey bee, with its remarkable queen bee, will continue to be a central part of my beekeeping experience.
It is a privilege to be a part of their world, and I hope to contribute to their continued success. They’re truly very special honey bees.
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
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