Dashon honey

  For many Kenyan beekeepers, one of the most painful experiences is opening a hive and finding it empty. The beekeeper may have bought or built the hive, placed it carefully, waited for bees to occupy it, and even started expecting honey only for the whole colony to leave. This is called absconding . Absconding happens when bees abandon the hive completely. It is different from swarming. In swarming, part of the colony leaves with a queen while another part remains behind. In absconding, the bees leave the hive as a group, often because something has made the hive unsuitable for survival. African bees are especially known for this behaviour. A Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping in Kenya notes that African bees frequently abscond, and some races such as Apis mellifera scutellata have a strong tendency to swarm and migrate. Why Bees Abscond 1. Lack of food and water Bees need nectar, pollen, honey, and water to survive. When there is a serious shortage of forage, especiall...