New beekeeper class comes to VSU

1. What’s the buzz all about? VSU’s new beekeeping class Photos by staff photographer Jessica Green Presentation by Francesca Zagami and RJ Yancey

2. John Avera, Valdosta beekeeper, will be teaching VSU’s first introduction to beekeeping class this fall. The class will be held at the Continuing Education Center Sept. 17 through Oct. 29 on Thursdays from 6 to 8 in the evening.

3. The Buzz About Bees: -A honeybee can fly approximately 15 miles per hour. -Honeybees will usually travel approximately 3 miles from their hive.-A honeybee will flap its wings about 11,400 times per minute creating the "buzz" that you hear.-Honeybees die when they sting.-Honey never spoils.

4. John Avera uses a smoker to direct smoke towards the bees. This process soothes the bees before opening the hives.

5. Veil Frame Bee Box Click on the links & check out videos of each part on YouTube.

6. John Avera points to the queen bee:-The queen lays up to 2,000 eggs per day.-There is only 1 queen per hive. -A hive consists of over 20,000 bees in the winter, and over 60,000 bees in the summer. -All worker bees are infertile females. -All drone bees are males that exist to mate with the queen; they die after mating.

7. John Avera offers students advice on maintaining a safe encounter with bees:1. Wear light-colored clothing. 2. Wear at least a veil but other protective gear such as gloves or full-body suits are available.3. Do not block the bees’ entrance to the hive. 4. Be aware that bees become temperamental in bad weather.

8. The beekeeping class costs $69 per student, not including the textbook. For more information call: (229) 245 6484. Thanks for your interest and ‘bee’ careful.