Probiotics Unleashed!

-More Buzz from Sweden and the ARS.

Hey Bee Enthusiasts! ✨ Guess what’s creating a buzz in the world of beekeeping? Probiotics! Trust me; this is going to revolutionize how we care for our beloved bees. Think of it as the next big thing since beekeepers cracked the code on harvesting honey without wreaking havoc on our buzzing buddies. Probiotics bring together the key elements of environment, bee biology, and smart management, all with a focus on promoting bee and human health.

Now, natural beekeepers have always had a knack for working with these concepts intuitively. But here’s where science steps in, shedding light on what we’ve known and experienced with our bees. I stumbled upon some eye-opening research in the December 2009 American Bee Journal, and I’ve got the lowdown for you:

A bee’s stomach hosts 13 unique species of lactic acid bacteria.
These bacteria are exclusive to bees, not originating from flowers or pollen.
They’re superheroes, fighting off food-spoiling bacteria and honey bee pathogens.
They completely squash foulbrood in bee larvae.
They team up with the bee’s immune system.
Surprise! They’re effective against bacteria found in infected human wounds.
These little warriors thrive in fresh, uncapped honey less than two weeks old.
They’re the maestros behind fermenting bee bread and preserving honey.
Fresh, unheated honey is a powerhouse probiotic.

This groundbreaking research echoes what many natural beekeepers have championed for years:

Anything messing with the bee’s internal bacteria messes with bee health.
Fresh, unprocessed honey is the bee’s knees.
Heating and processing honey? Not so great for its health benefits.

Probiotics for Bees

The latest research spills the beans: the beneficial bacteria in a bee’s stomach hang around for a while in honey and bee bread. Bees have got it figured out best for themselves. A comb filled with fresh, uncontaminated bee bread and honey is the golden ticket to bee probiotics. But here’s the buzzkill:

It’s not always readily available.
It’s a bit tricky to maintain.
Assessing viability is no walk in the park.

Pollen Patty

Enter another superhero: the pollen patty! Picture this—fresh honey and bee bread teaming up to supercharge a pollen patty mixture. The lower sugar concentration might just give those bacteria a longer lease on life.

Kombucha

Now, if you’re all about convenience, a liquid mixture is the way to go. Cheaper, easier to handle, and reduces the risk of diseases sneaking in if you’re not trapping your pollen. Ever thought about kombucha? I did some experimenting, and using fresh honey instead of sugar, along with a dash of bee bread, seems like a promising start. My kombucha journey hints that these bacteria can brave various temperatures for months. Fingers crossed it’s the same for our bee buddies!

A kombucha-infused mixture with fresh honey and bee bread might just birth a kombucha mushroom laced with bee lacto bacteria. Plus, you can whip up multiple batches using this kombucha magic.

Sugar Syrup

Sure, sugar syrup is an option. But from my experience, it lacks the stability and consistency you’d find in a kombucha-based culture.

Ready to dive into the world of bee probiotics? Let’s make our beekeeping game even more buzzing!✨

-Cheers to Healthy Hives, D 🐝🤠