Description

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A guided tour inside the world of bees
Overtaxed and underrecognized-and now disappearing in alarming numbers- bees are the unsung heroes of the food chain, essential for the pollination of more than ninety of the crops we eat. The hardworking, humble, and matriarchal bee finally gets her due in this engaging and expertly written guide that will appeal to anyone who's ever been curious about the mysterious and always-buzzing world of bees.
Beekeeper Susan Brackney explains:
Why honeybees are disappearing-and what we can do about it
Who's who in the hive-the queen bee, the workers, and the drones
Bees by the numbers-the number of bees per hive, the number of wing beats per second, and other fascinating facts
Gardening tips to attract and support honeybees
The beekeeper's trade-the essential equipment and the latest tools, a day in the life, and more
Honey, pollen, wax, royal jelly, mead, and other products of the sweet life
The secrets behind making a bee beard (or bee bikini) with live bees
...and much more.

About the Author

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Susan Brackney is a beekeeper living in Bloomington, Indiana. A nature writer whose articles about honeybees and beekeeping have appeared in the "New York Times, Plenty Magazine, Wildlife Conservation, " and elsewhere, she is also the author of "The Insatiable Gardner s Guide, The Lost Soul Companion, " and "The Not-So-Lost Soul Companion.""