— Meet Steeves’ Bees —
About
Terri & Chris
“It’s only 15 minutes a week!”
In 2015, Terri was a graphic designer living in a small Nova Scotia town. One of her clients was a beekeeper named John, who shared his passion for these fascinating creatures.
John’s enthusiasm was contagious. He offered to mentor the Terri and Chris if they were interested in learning the art of beekeeping, stating, “It’s only 15 minutes a week!” (Terri and Chris would later question that claim!) Terri shared this with her partner, Chris, who suggested involving his mother, Patricia. With her love for gardening and honey, she saw this as the perfect opportunity to combine both passions. Terri and Chris set up their first hive among Patricia’s Forget-Me-Not, Rhubarb, and Strawberry garden.
Before long, they found ourselves handling their first swarm! Thankfully, with the help of Google and their mentor, Terri and Chris managed to collect the swarm and create a makeshift hive for the bees.
Fast forward nine years: after experiencing many losses and gains, frustrations, and immense joy, Chris has become a seasoned beekeeper. He now works diligently at our hives while also working full-time for another thriving, ever-expanding apiary and bee product business.
As for Terri, you’ll find her traveling the highways of Nova Scotia, bringing their delicious artisan raw and infused honey to local communities. Check out Markets for more information!
Terri and Chris currently have several bee yards—apiaries located at Ohio West, James River, Marshy Hope, Addington Forks, and Knoydart Farm, which is an organic dairy farm situated along the beautiful Northumberland Strait.
— Honey Bee Facts —
- Honey bees were originally imported from Europe in the 17th century.
- Not a native species to North America.
- A pound of honey is made by 2 million flower visits.
- Honey bees sleep between 5 & 8 hours a day.
- Bees have 5 eyes.
- Bees fly about 20 mph.
- Their wings beat 200 times per second or 12,000 beats / minute.
- The maximum number of eggs per day the queen bee can lay is 2,000.
- Losing its stinger will cause a bee to die.
- Wings can also function while the bee remains in place.
- Bees flap their wings while remaining stationary to move air throughout the beehive to regulate temperature, to spread pheromones throughout the hive, and to evaporate nectar moisture.
- Bees can recognize and differentiate between human faces.
- It requires 556 worker bees to gather one pound of honey.
- The average life of a honey bee during the working season is about six weeks.
- Bees remove the excess moisture from nectar by rapidly fanning their wings over the open cells in the hive which circulates fresh air into the hive and the moist air out.
Sweet Words from Satisfied Customers
