A cluster of beehives painted with bright designs, bumble¬bees and flowers are located on the lower level of Barbara Rosenberg’s property and sit about three feet off the ground. Tarps spread out on the ground below deter weeds from springing up around the hives and inadvertently creating a pathway for invasive ants.
Rosenberg is a member of the San Diego Beekeeping Society and has been working steadily over the past decade to provide a safe and productive habitat for all pollinators.
Over the course of 10 years, Rosenberg has replaced all of the native vegetation in her yard with plants that encourage butterflies and other pollinators to live there. Her property is recognized by the National Wildlife Foundation as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, as well as a Monarch Watch Waystation, meaning it provides resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration, ac¬cording to the monarchwatch website.
A couple of the multicolored hives where Rosenberg homes her bees were passed down to her by a fellow member of the beekeeping society, evidence that the backyard beekeeping community is working to create a force of nature that serves to save bees.
Located on Rosenberg’s multi-acre spread is a section with mature fruit trees including cherries, figs, apricots— everything you can name as she says with a smile. For Rosenberg, the bees are not about collecting honey, but about the ecosystem.
“It’s the next evolution of feeding ourselves. We’re not huge honey users but I love protecting animals. If we get honey, great. Its more about protecting the habitat,” Rosenberg said.
Tucked in throughout the different alcoves and corners in the yard are resting places for bees and pollinators. Rosenberg explains that bees need water so she deliberately placed bird¬baths all over her property. The goal is to keep the bees satisfied so they are welcomed as a positive pollinating presence in the local area rather than feared if they begin to swarm.
“Springtime is all about preventing swarming. About 50% of bees in San Diego are Africanized and you want to keep your queen from mating with one of them. You do requeen every few years and you want to make sure that your queen has mated with a nice fellow. I prefer the Italians. Look for her [egg] laying: is she laying in a nice pattern? Those bees will do well; unless it is an Africanized hive, there’s nothing to worry about, they’re just going about their business. Every beekeeper knows the temperament of their hive and can tell when they’re going rogue,” Rosenberg said.
Rosenberg said Italian and Carniolan bees tend to be more docile than African bees.
There are 24 races of Apis mellifera, or honey producing bees, according to information assembled by the University of Arizona. All have different physical and behavioral traits such as body color, wing length and susceptibility to disease but they mate between races and create diversity within the bee world.
San Diego Beekeeping Society Representative George Parada said that the County is easy to work with and that they generally support beekeeping efforts.
“We practice bee husbandry and stewardship, working hand-in-hand with the County. For example, I’m confined to two hives because I live in the city, and I have a few limitations but I can still have bees,” Parada said.
“When I leave this world, I want to leave it a better place,” Parada said.
