In response to the woman with the allergy to bee stings (Gazette, Nov. 28 issue), I am sympathetic to her situation. But adhering to a “for the greater good” philosophy, I support the cultivation of urban bees. Knowing both urban and rural beekeepers, I’m told stings are generally a non-issue. Honeybees support a busy agenda focused on feeding and fostering their young, maintaining the wellness of their queen and hive, and inadvertently pollinating whatever they feed on. Honey is a by-product, lucky for us! Lucky for us, also, is that the honeybee is gentle, industrious and non-aggressive; a sting will mean its guts get ripped out (a certain death). Therefore, unless threatened, or fighting for the welfare of its hive, it reserves its sting.
It is unfortunate that the honeybee gets lumped in with other bees, especially wasps; other than their respective colouring and markings, they have little in common. A wasp is a mostly a carnivore, has aggressive tendencies, and is often destructive to man-made structures. They can also sting multiple times with an arsenal of dangerous venom. As for the issue of honeybee swarming, this is about real estate; if the beekeeper has been negligent, and another queen has hatched, the new queen will assert an empire. Swarming means taking her followers and looking for a new home; focused on preservation, not on preying on humans.
There are forward-thinking urban organizations that appreciate the importance of honeybees, such as the CP Hotel line which has set up hives on their terraces across Canada. As a result, these cities benefit from a healthier and more bountiful metropolis, as well as the amber gold that is used at the hotels. (Unknown to many, urban honey is considered of better quality, due to the variety and complexity of plants in urban landscapes; rural honey is often derived from mono-crops.) Another example of integrating bees into urban life is the post-secondary I am employed at proposing honeybees for their courtyard. I’m certain both of these companies completed required research before exposing the public to any possible harm.
For centuries, man and honeybee lived harmoniously and synergistically; at some fork in the road, company was parted, to the detriment of both. Our long-term vision and commitment must be for a holistic healing of the earth, inclusively, with all life forms being a valuable contributor and stakeholder. Honeybees are more than important for this journey; they are essential. As we have heard many times: If humanity disappears, the honeybee will carry on. If the honeybee disappears, man will soon follow. We need to acknowledge that we are both vulnerable, and that a solid and respectful collaboration ascertains both of our futures.
Ady Dedich, St. Albert
