By PETER DAY
Senior Reporter
They may sometimes sting, but honeybees are a wondrous — and integral — part of our ecosystem that can be kept in many backyard gardens.
That sentiment, and many specifics on bee keeping, were shared by expert Penny Harper of Hinkley, who spoke to members of the Desert Crossroads Garden Club last month.
Years ago, Harper bought a 10-acre plot, which came with two bee hives.
"At first I was scared," she said, but the retired nurse decided to learn about bees.
During the meeting she shared many interesting honeybee facts:
• Bees can count to four.
• Bees never sleep.
• Bees can recognize human faces.
• Bees are the only insect that produce food for humans.
• Bees live 2-4 months.
Bees that have an established home can be aggressive, while wandering swarms may not be. Still, if a swarm shows up in your yard, "You've got to get a bee keeper fast," Harper said.
When handling bees, always wear white clothing, otherwise they may attack.
While sometimes deadly Africanized bees have made their way into Southern California, they are not as much of a threat in the High Desert.
"The Africanized bees just don't like the cold weather," she said. "The bad thing about the Africanized bees is they look exactly like the docile bees."
She has once been followed closely by a swarm of bees for about a quarter of a mile.
Harper discussed "colony collapse disorder," which dramatically affected the honeybee population from 2003 to 2009. The problem was caused by overuse of pesticides and "junk food" high fructose given to the bees.
"You feed them honey and water."
For those interesting in bee keeping, she said they can purchase kits, protective give and more.
Bees love lavender, sunflowers, desert willows and squash plants.
"They love cactus. They love creosote bushes."
For more information on honey bees, Harper can be reached at pennyharper@msn.com.