How Do Honeybees Survive Winter? And Other Questions For A Beekeeper

In Episode 2 of “Essential Cooking,” hosts Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato talk with Brad Gladstone of Urban Bee LLC about everything from how bees survive the winter to their ability to recognize faces and protect their hives from invaders.

“We have a lot of pollinating to do, so we want more bees and more beehives in Southeast Michigan.” — Chef James Rigato

“Biodynamic beekeping is bee-centric, whereas commercial beekeeping is beekeeper-centric,” says Brad Gladstone. “Biodynamics focuses on propping up the natural vitality of the bees, whereas commercial beekeepers usually have an interest in selling honey. So their management is going to be focused on how to get more honey production, which is not necessarily in the best interest of the bees.”

A few fun facts about bees from guest Brad Gladstone:

• 90% of our food supply relies on a pollinator
• Every third mouthful of food we take is dependent on the honeybee
• There are 20,000 species of bees worldwide, 4,000 species are native to North America
• Honeybees are not native to North America
• Habitat loss and increased use of pesticides threaten the habit and forage for pollinators
• The bees from one hive pollinate within a 3-mile radius

Want to support a bee-friendly habitat? Plant some flowering perennial plants like lavender or milkweed and say hello to the bees.

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