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Jun
19

tiny honeybeesMore schools are clearing areas on their grounds for educational gardens that show students how food is grown and harvested. While learning about where fruits and vegetables come from, students are also learning about the honeybee, the tiny insect that plays a major role in domestic and international food supply. These children are discovering that bees are as important to fruit and vegetable growth as are water and sunlight.

According to experts, one in every three bites of food taken is directly or indirectly dependent upon pollination. Whole Foods Market is taking bee education to the next level with its Whole Kids Foundation Honey Bee Grant Program, an extension of its established School Garden Grant Program. In the coming year, approximately 50 schools will receive grants for hosting beehives to enhance their educational gardens and serve as teaching tools.

While honeybees do have stingers, they are generally very docile and can peacefully coexist with students tending to a garden. Honeybee education has become more important due to the decline in bee populations. By tending to school beehives and observing the activity of the honeybees students learn important lessons related to agriculture, biology, ecology, and nutrition. They even learn about business by understanding how pollination affects crop yield.

Consumers can lend their support to this program by ordering a Café con Miel latte from the coffee bar at a local Whole Foods Market between June 12 and 25. For every cup of this coffee with honey sold Whole Foods Foundation will donate 25 cents. To enjoy the taste of coffee with honey at home, purchase plain or cinnamon raw manuka honey and add a spoonful to coffee in place of sugar.

With the right seeds, anyone can create a bee garden at home. This provides pollen and nectar to nourish the tiny insects and offers shelter from predators. Researchers say that planting bee gardens throughout a community can increase the diversity of local bees even if the gardens are located in an urban area.

Though the best manuka honey is made in New Zealand, consumers in the U.S. help this industry when they purchase these products online and make efforts to increase the bee population. Supporting beekeeping at a local school, helping to fund related grants, and creating a bee garden at home are just a few things that anyone can do to keep these tiny insects alive and thriving. Let’s create a buzz!

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Jun
19

Monsanto CompanyLast week, global agricultural products provider Monsanto Company held the first Honey Bee Health Summit at its Chesterfield Village Research Center. This event spanned three days and attracted almost 100 members of the national bee community ranging from beekeepers and academics to government sectors and industry associations. Monsanto is doing its part to raise awareness of honeybee health.

Top apiculture researchers spoke about the challenges that honeybees face. These tiny insects are critical to the agriculture industry and our environment. Monsanto focuses on sustainable agriculture and has already invested in research, development, and collaboration designed to improve the health of honeybees.

One of these efforts is the creation of the Honey Bee Advisory Council (HBAC). This group is comprised of beekeeping industry experts and the internationally recognized provider of agricultural products. By participating in this council, Monsanto has learned much about the challenges faced by beekeepers. Whether beekeepers are making local honey in the United States or New Zealand manuka honey abroad they are currently dealing with many of the same issues.

Leaders in the agriculture industry including Monsanto support best practices that benefit the health of honeybees. For example, the company supports The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship, which promotes safe handing and management for treated seeds on an industry level. The council is also focusing on identifying ways to control the varroa mite that carries viruses harmful to honeybees. This parasitic mite is thought to contribute to colony collapse disorder, which has drastically reduced the number of beehives throughout the world.

Landowners and crop growers are being encouraged by Monsanto and Project Apis m to plant forages for honeybees on unused land. By including flowering plants that provide different types of pollen, they help keep honeybees strong. Bees require varied forage to remain healthy. In California this is particularly important because of all local crops almond pollination requires the most bee colonies. Approximately 1.6 million honeybee colonies are required to pollinate the California almond crop.

As Monsanto, apiculture researchers, and other experts direct more attention to honeybee health, the dire situation of this insect may begin to improve. Consumers will not be forced to pay exorbitant prices for the best manuka honey products. They will also not pay excessively for food products that rely upon pollination. The goal is to address the issue before consumers are forced to go without these items due to dwindling supply resulting from reduced pollination activity.

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Jun
15

honey bee flyingHoneybees travel great distances to gather nectar from flowers, pollinate crops, and get back to their hives. These bees are not born with special navigational systems. They must learn to traverse changing landscapes and discover how to orient their locations in relation to the beaming sun. A new study reveals that a regulatory gene helps bees locate flowers and find their way back home.

In vertebrates, this gene is known to play a role in learning and novelty detection. Called Egr, it is also present in the brains of tiny honeybees and kicks in when these insects are learning how to locate food and take it home. Whenever a bee tries to navigate its way in an unfamiliar environment, Egr activity quickly increases in the mushroom bodies area of the brain, say researchers. Egr is the insect version of a transcription factor possessed by mammals that regulates other gene activity.

According to researchers, Egr activity does not increase when bees learn to fly or memorize visual cues, only when the insects are exposed to unfamiliar surroundings. Even a well-traveled bee experiences an increase in Egr activity when navigating a new area. The research findings provide leads in the quest to discover how honeybees are such good navigators despite their small brains.

The discovery that Egr plays a major role illustrates that some molecular mechanisms that contribute to behavior are preserved by evolution. Researchers plan to continue studying the navigational skills of honeybees to learn whether other factors play a role. Being able to tie bees to vertebrates via the Egr gene is groundbreaking in itself but there is still much work to be done.

Young worker bees prepare for journeys between flowers and the hive by performing orientation flights near their hives. This helps them learn navigational cues including landmark positioning, sun movement, and the appearance of the hive. Before the discovery of increased Egr activity, researchers had limited information regarding the neural basis of spatial learning achieved by insects. They now know that the molecular mechanism used in honeybee orientation is involved in other types of learning.

When they buy manuka honey, most consumers do not consider the complexities involved in creating the product. Pure manuka honey is the result of hard work on the part of bees that rely on their genes to help them navigate to flowers and back home. Without Egr, bees would not be able to produce honey because they would never find their hives.

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Jun
15

honey scandalIn 2008, the United States imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese honey because U.S. producers of the sweet substance complained about the artificially low prices that Chinese exporters were charging. In response, these exporters began using third parties to move honey into other countries including Vietnam and Indonesia. It was then re-labeled a local product and shipped to the U.S. In early May, two large packers admitted to buying large quantities of this falsely-labeled honey.

Groeb Farms in Onsted, Michigan, was one of the companies that admitted to the underhanded dealings. This company happens to be one of the largest honey packers in U.S. The value of the honey purchased by Groeb Farms and the other packer is estimated in the millions of dollars. Both companies face criminal charges but according to National Public Radio, each has struck a deal with the U.S. government to avoid facing immediate prosecution.

These two packers agreed to establish programs that ensure the legitimacy of all sources of honey purchased in the future. The admission by Groeb Farms is being touted as a major industry event because it is the first made by a U.S. packer, considered the actual user of the product. However, it is only a symptom of the larger issue, which is the lack of food production standards in China.

In 2012, an industry consortium called True Source Honey was established. This group created a testing and auditing system that claims to guarantee the origin of honey. The recent indictments were a contributing factor in its quest to verify ethical sourcing of the sweet substance. According to True Source Honey Chairman Eric Wenger, at least 25 percent of honey consumed in the U.S. is certified by True Source.

Groeb Farms reported that no allegations were made regarding the safety of its products. The company reinforced its commitment to deliver safe products “of excellent quality.” It is nearly impossible to ensure the safety or sustainability of a food product unless the item can be traced to its origin and there is transparency in processing and transport activities.

Before consumers buy raw manuka honey online, they should verify that the provider is reputable and gets its honey from New Zealand beekeepers whose colonies source nectar from the manuka bush. In the past, some Chinese exporters passed their honey off as such when the substance was another floral variety. If they buy manuka online, consumers should know who they are dealing with and stick with a reputable provider.

 

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Jun
13

pure honeyHoney sold in stores and online may appear similar, having only color variations. The actual substances inside the containers can be extremely different. As just one example, there is only one ingredient in pure manuka honey: nectar from tea tree bush flowers that honeybees gather, process, and store in their honeycombs. Honey that contains flour, starch, molasses, glucose, dextrose, or sugar or corn syrup is not the same as pure honey. The added substances earn it the label “adulterated.”

Simply looking at a picture or container of honey will not distinguish adulterated versions from those that are pure. Reading product labels may not help because labeling a product as pure honey does not eliminate the possibility that the substance contains corn syrup used for sweetening purposes or water to dilute the liquid. Even price points are not associated with quality because Chinese manufacturers have been known to mix various floral blends in one container and sell these products at high prices.

A common misconception is that a granulated or crystallized form of honey indicates adulteration with sugar water. Granulation occurs naturally particularly in climates that are temperate. Tendency to crystallize may also be determined by floral source. Honey is a solution of supersaturated sugars so it can granulate even when it has not been adulterated. Even comb honey can be adulterated because sugar syrup may have been fed to the bees.

To tell whether honey is pure, some people rely on ants. They believe that the tiny insects dislike pure honey. Other people dip a cotton ball into the sweet substance and light it with a match, believing that pure honey will burn. Based on testing with pure honey straight from a honeycomb, results were inconsistent.

Better results may be achieved by pouring a bit of honey into a glass filled with water. Pure honey should not immediately dissolve when mixed with water. However, this test is not guaranteed accurate because different types of honey possess different viscosities. For example, even if it is pure, creamed honey will dissolve more slowly than liquid honey will.

Laboratory testing is considered the most accurate way to determine the purity of honey. Since this is not usually possible, experts recommend sticking with a reputable brand. Read the product label to verify the absence of additives and look for indications of its potency such as the active quality of manuka honey 10 or higher, which should be advertised on the product label.

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Jun
13

honey and cavitiesA cavity is a small hole that results from tooth decay. Plaque, the sticky substance comprised mainly of germs, is to blame for this hole. Bacteria in the mouth create acids so when plaque bacteria stick to teeth, these acids can eat away at tooth enamel, which is the outermost layer of a tooth, and begin to decay the interior layers. Sweet, sugary foods and beverages can increase the chance of developing cavities so many people automatically assume that honey is on the list of foods to avoid.

Bacteria feed on sugars in food to make its acids. The longer sugar-laden food remains on teeth, the more feeding and acid production time for bacteria. This is why brushing teeth at least twice a day is recommended. Many people also brush after every meal or, if this is not possible, rinse their mouths with water to help remove some sugar.

Honey is a sugary carbohydrate so it is natural to assume that it causes cavities. However, this may not be true because unprocessed honey also contains substances that generate hydrogen peroxide, an antibacterial agent. Hydrogen peroxide potency varies based on the region of the world, nectar source used to make the honey, and other factors. If honey is exposed to heat during processing, hydrogen peroxide degrades, reducing potency.

Pure manuka honey is made from nectar of the manuka bush, which possesses a unique antibacterial property. The combination of antibacterial agents in this honey could make the substance more potent, an aspect measured by Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Higher UMF levels correlate with higher levels of methylglyoxal, a phytochemical that promotes free radicals. Honey with a UMF of ten or higher is labeled as active.

The antibacterial agents in this special honey have not been proven to contribute to tooth decay. In fact, they may do just the opposite. Due to its combined antibacterial agents, this type of honey may be more effective than honey made from other kinds of nectar. Therefore, until research proves otherwise, consumers can continue to enjoy manuka without worry of contributing to plaque buildup.

Where can you buy manuka honey 10 or higher, the versions that are considered active? It can be difficult to find this honey in stores because the best brands are imported from New Zealand. Shopping online is a better approach because it saves time and money. Consumers can find a plain, fruit accented, and cinnamon versions of this raw, active honey.

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Jun
11

queen bee While sperm banks may be a part of human society, they are not frequently mentioned when discussing the animal kingdom. In an interesting piece of news, researchers at Washington State University are creating a new type of sperm bank. The liquid nitrogen storage facility will collect genetic material from selected colonies of honeybees in Europe and the United States.

When not collecting bee material for storage, researchers plan to cross-breed different types of honeybees to create more diverse and resilient subspecies that could help address the colony collapse situation that threatens the future of the U.S. honeybee population. Semen collected from the strongest and highest-quality stock of European honeybees will be injected into the best and strongest stock of U.S. queen bees.

Bee sperm is collected by applying gentle pressure to the abdomen of an adult bee. Using the substance to help diversify and strengthen colonies of honeybees in the U.S. could have major implications for national agriculture. Honeybees populate a significant percentage of crops in this country, causing society to rely on them for everything from almonds to arugula. Honeybee pollination services are valued at an estimated $14 million in the U.S. and the decline in bee population has already affected national food production.

In 2011, fear of colony collapse disorder spread to New Zealand where raw manuka honey is big business. Some beekeepers reported losses of up to 30 percent of their colonies, with the areas of Poverty Bay and Canterbury experiencing the biggest hits. Industry leaders called for an investigation of the problem thought to stem from neonicotinoid insecticides used to control pests and coat seeds. These substances are neurotoxins believed to interfere with the nervous system of bees.

The New Zealand economy relies on bees for much more than its manuka honey exports. These insects pollinate New Zealand fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and fiber products that are also sold in other countries. The annual total value of bees to the New Zealand economy is estimated to be $4 billion. Prior to 2011, beekeepers and scientists focused on the parasitic varroa mite as cause for bee colony losses.

The ability to create honeybees that are more resilient could benefit beekeepers and national economies all over the world. Washington State University researchers could hold the fate of many agricultural crops in the contents of their forthcoming bee sperm bank. We surely have not heard the last of the “contributions” of the industrious honeybee.

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Jun
11

honey historyWhile many people know all about ancient civilizations and the lands they occupied, few know much about the substances that greeted them upon arrival in a new territory. Though early civilizations managed to create tools, supplies, and equipment from rudimentary items, it was animals that yielded many of the substances that nourished the earliest settlers. Roman, Egyptian, and Babylonian societies emerged along rivers and enjoyed what these areas provided.

In ancient times, food preservation was relatively non-existent. People learned to preserve food by curing it using nitrates, nitrite, and salt. Roman, Egyptian, and Babylonian civilizations preferred to use honey to cure their food. According to written histories of Roman and Greek cultures, it was the antibacterial quality of honey that made it best.

As these different societies struggled to maintain themselves, combat became the way to settle a dispute. Honey made from nectar gathered from laurels, rhododendrons, and azaleas became an instrument of warfare because it contained potent compounds including grayanotoxin. Labeled “mad honey,” it damaged the nervous system or stopped the heart of an enemy, causing serious or mortal injury. Mass casualties resulted when soldiers placed this special honey along routes that their enemies traveled.

Mad honey was not inherently bad because small doses were not as dangerous. Many religious groups, daring individuals, and people specializing in oracle prophesies consumed this substance recreationally. Mad honey could even be found at festivals attended by women. Things have changed quite a bit since this time. Today, when consumers buy manuka honey online they can rest assured that it is pure and not a potentially toxic substance.

Just as we enjoy pure manuka honey on bread or in oatmeal, ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian civilizations viewed honey as a tasty dietary addition. Raw honey was frequently a part of funeral feasts and a deceased individual was provided honey cakes for the journey to the underworld. Cerberus, the rather unattractive three-headed dog that patrolled the gates of this land, reportedly had a penchant for sweet substances.

Honey had an even more important use in early history…embalming dead bodies. Mellification, the act of honey embalming, was considered a type of art. While alive, almost all aristocrats in society during this period expressed a wish to be mellified after they died. After dying in Babylon, Alexander the Great was mellified for preservation during the trip back to Macedonia, proving that even death can be sweet.

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Jun
09

honey traps for bugsFlies, ants, mosquitoes, fleas, and other winged pests are out in full force, making people desperate for treatments. Many commercial products contain chemicals that harm the environment, humans, and animals. Taking an organic approach to pest control eliminates both toxins and unwanted insects. Eco-friendly pest treatments are made from common household substances including honey.

Ants seem to appear everywhere in warm weather and they especially love homes filled with sweet, sticky food. To make the home less appealing, keep sinks and countertops clean and empty. Fill a spray bottle with soapy water and spray ants that enter the house. Place slices or peels of cucumber, mint tea bags, or cloves in spots where ants appear active. Identify where these insects enter the home and place a line of lemon juice, coffee grounds, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper there to deter them.

If ants have become a big problem, mix equal parts Borax, aspartame, and pure manuka honey. Put 1 ½ teaspoons of this mixture into an open container and place the container on its side in a spot frequented by ants. The insects will consume this toxic bait and take it back to their colonies. Keep children and pets away from the bait because they should not ingest it.

Where mosquitoes are a problem, hang strips of cloth soaked in a combination of one part garlic juice and five parts water. This liquid can also be used to protect skin for up to six hours. A 30 percent concentration of eucalyptus oil should prevent mosquito bites for up to two hours. Two percent soybean oil is also effective for that long, while the natural oil citronella repels mosquitoes for approximately 20 minutes.

Neem oil is safe for humans and excellent at repelling mosquitoes. Use marigold plants to organically deter different types of flying insects including mosquitoes. Planting Thai lemongrass in areas where people congregate outdoors will repel mosquitoes naturally due to its citronella content. Mosquitoes also dislike catnip plants, which research reveals are ten times more effective than DEET, a potentially harmful chemical found in many commercial insect repellents.

Though manuka honey, garlic juice, and natural oils are not commonly used to repel insects, they can be quite effective. Before purchasing a chemical insect treatment, consider organic alternatives. These will not harm the environment or inhabitants of the home but will get rid of ants, mosquitoes, and other summer insects that can become big nuisances.

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Jun
09

honey for dogsHumans enjoy many varieties of honey including raw manuka honey that is not adulterated, heated, or pasteurized. They also use honey to make themselves more beautiful and treat a variety of ailments. People are not the only creatures who can reap the benefits of this sweet substance. Dogs love raw honey and it loves them just as much, helping to improve their lives.

Many dogs have allergies to pollen, causing them to sneeze and experience respiratory issues. Some dogs have horrible skin allergies due to exposure to substances in the air or grass. To acclimate a dog to pollen without causing an allergic response, feed the animal some local raw honey. The dog will develop a tolerance to pollen, which should help to reduce allergy symptoms.

A spoonful of honey provides humans with a natural energy boost and it does the same for dogs. If a dog seems lethargic and no health issues are identified, feed it some honey. The internal system of the animal will gradually break down the sugar content of the substance. Activity level may begin to increase over time, making Fido frisky again!

Bees predigest raw honey, providing the substance with live enzymes. These ingredients aid in digestion so feed honey to dogs to improve digestive functioning. Live enzymes also kill harmful bacteria and microbes. Feed a dog raw honey to help the animal fight an infection or apply honey as a topical dressing to a minor skin wound. Due to the sweet taste, it may be difficult to prevent the dog from licking off the honey. There is no harm because as we have explained, honey is as good for the inside of a dog’s body as it is for the outside.

Regular heartworm medication is recommended for most dogs and many dogs take additional medicine. These pills may not be tasty, making them difficult to administer. Cover a pill in honey and peanut butter and watch the difference. The dog will gobble it down like a favorite treat and may even beg for more. Use this trick to get dogs to take any distasteful medications.

When you buy raw manuka honey online, purchase enough for every member of the family including the canines. Dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages will love the taste and can reap many benefits. Before beginning a honey treatment with a dog, talk to a veterinarian to ensure that this approach is safe for the pet in question.

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