Theon Ali an interview with a beekeeper

In honor of World Beekeeping Day and as a consequence of the truth that honey and bees are two of my favourite issues, I received in contact with Theon Ali, a Jamaican beekeeper, who kindly agreed to be interviewed about his work as a beekeeper. In this part, Theon Ali discusses his life as a beekeeper and provides recommendation on how one can devour honey in a way that’s conscientious of the surroundings.

Now let’s transfer on to the questions!

1. Could you inform me slightly bit about your self and the way you bought began within the beekeeping trade?

Hello, my title is Theon Ali, and I used to be born and raised in Jamaica. When I used to be 23 years outdated and watching a documentary about bees and their society and significance, and consequently, I “unconsciously” turned a beekeeper at the moment. I received my begin in beekeeping by providing my help to a neighborhood beekeeper who was harvesting his honey. I went out and received some swarms by myself after which started up some beehives.

2. Can you describe a mean day within the lifetime of a beekeeper? Does it differ relying on the time of yr?

Everything goes to depend on what number of beehives it’s a must to maintain. Because I solely have 17 beehives for the time being, I’m focusing extra of my efforts on product improvement (honey bee objects). Honey is usually harvested from September via May, with the harvest being suspended through the winter months (June via the top of August). It’s not the identical in different components of the nation.

3. Can you inform me the advantages and disadvantages of getting bees in your house? Do you ever get stung?

Keeping bees, the first advantage of which is contributing to the method of pollination, doesn’t seem to have any drawbacks, for my part. The reply is sure, beekeepers do get stung frequently. I at all times take precautions by carrying antihistamines and an EpiPen with me and carrying protecting gear (PPE).

4. Could you inform me concerning the bees that you just hold?

I hold European bees however I even have a number of bee inns for the beautiful Jamaican Native bees, that are important for the pollination of our crops.

5. Does it ever occur that bees within the apiary get damage, and in reference to this, what could be thought-about an excellent apply by way of how the bees are dealt with?

Yes, it’s true that there are events when a number of the bees maintain accidents, most notably when they’re transported or when they’re required to be moved round fairly a bit. The bees’ job is severely disrupted when they’re moved. Although I don’t relocate my bees, skilled beekeepers that hold bees for the sake of honey manufacturing are required to take action somewhat incessantly all year long, which is admittedly dangerous for the bees.

6. If somebody needed to maintain bees, what sort of steerage would you give them?

Beekeeping should revolve across the bees somewhat than the individuals doing it. It is your obligation as a beekeeper to look out for the well being and happiness of your bees and to do all the things in your energy to make sure that they can thrive. Helping the bees keep wholesome and making certain they’ll proceed to pollinate flowers and crops is probably the most important a part of beekeeping. The manufacturing of honey is a tertiary endeavor.

7. As honey customers who’re additionally involved concerning the surroundings, ought to we concentrate on something particular after we go to the shop to get honey?

This is a really fascinating query. In my opinion, the simplest method to buy honey is to do it from a vendor that’s situated as near you as doable. It’s a sensible thought to pay a go to to an apiary. In addition to this, it’s important to substantiate that the beekeeper has been appropriately educated and registered.

In the identical approach that totally different locations produce honey with various ranges of high quality and microbial exercise, honey is similar to wine on this regard. Some honeys comprise extra enzymes than others and are therefore costlier.

Because of their excessive value and excessive antibacterial exercise, I might not use Manuka or Jarrah honey, as an illustration, so as to add on high of my porridge as a result of these sorts of honey are costly. Additionally, for my part, Manuka honey doesn’t have a pleasing taste, however it’s utilized within the manufacturing of cosmetics and medicines. The identical may be stated for Jarrah honey ( tastes wonderful although.)

Some honeys are stated to have the next stage of antibacterial exercise than others, even supposing all honeys are thought to comprise some stage of this exercise.

About Theon Ali:

Jamaica is the place Theon Ali spent his childhood and the place he was born. During the time that he spent helping my grandfather in his apiculture firm, he started to develop an curiosity in bees at a really younger age.

As time went on, he turned extra dedicated to investigating the importance of bees to our surroundings and the eco-balance, and he was astounded to find that ninety p.c of all crops situated in our fast neighborhood require cross-pollination by the simplest pollinators, that are bees.

Theon Ali identifies himself as an activist in bee conservation, which he refers to as a “bee guardian,” and he’s satisfied that by working collectively and spreading the message “We can do this!” we may be profitable. “People need to know that what they can actually make a difference is by using their voice, amplifying the good news, and communicating the tremendous value of bees to nature and human beings,”