Beekeeping

Bees form a society organized around a queen, thousands of workers, and, in season, a few drones. The queen lays up to 2,000 eggs per day and ensures the colony's survival. The sterile workers perform all tasks: cleaning, feeding larvae, building honeycombs, ventilating, defending the hive, and foraging.

The drones, present in small numbers, have the sole role of fertilizing the queen during her mating flight. Larvae are raised in specific cells, fed royal jelly, then pollen and honey. The hive produces honey, wax, royal jelly, propolis, pollen, and bee jelly. These products nourish the colony and help build and protect the hive. For humans, they provide food resources, natural remedies, and materials like wax. The beekeeping association of the Seltz / Lauterbourg canton offers visits by appointment to better understand these insects and their essential role.