Beekeeping success totally unexpected for Windham residents

Beekeeper Chris Rogers tends to some
of his hives at Backwoods Bee Farm in
Windham. Rogers says bees are an
important part of the environment in
Maine and essential in helping to
pollinate plants and flowers across
the state. COURTESY PHOTO

By Daniel Gray

 

A local beekeeping company for 14 years, Backwoods Bee Farm at 106 Page Road in Windham, has been 'bzz'y so far in 2021. Despite this, they are happy to tell the community all about bees, their importance, and how to have a friendly yard for these environmental pollinators.

In Maine, there are various different types of bees; honeybees (which are actually non-native), bumble bees, mason bees, ground-nesting bees, carpenter bees, and sweat bees. These are all pollinators and give us our beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables. 

Although if there are already so many types of bees in Maine, then why introduce honeybees that are non-native?

"Honeybees aren't native, but they are the only social bee to make for better harvesting," said Chris Rogers, co-owner of Backwoods Bee Farm.

Social bees are bees that operate in a colony, not just the queens producing for themselves and their young, which would be semi-social bees. With a team of worker bees all pitching in, it makes honey harvesting easier and safer so that the bees will have enough to feed their young.

"We do have native pollinators, and they actually pollinate the local flora better than the honeybees, but the honeybees are built differently than bumble or carpenter bees here," he said.

Chris Rogers has been keeping bees since 2007 along with his wife, Vanessa Rogers. Together, they have 70 bee colonies in Maine and carry a full line of beekeeping supplies including bee boxes (known as 'nucs'), protective gear, and even hive kits. Of course, they also have candles, lip balms, and hand creams that have beeswax, along with selling raw honey that is produced.

All bees have their benefits in nature, however, they can sometimes build hives too close to local homes.

 

"We collect bee swarms and, if possible, relocate hives so it is safe for the bees,” he said. “If a bee nest isn't in your face, leave it alone. As long as you aren't looking to mess with them, then they won't sting you."

It is never recommended to move a hive yourself. Backwoods Bee Farms catches six to 20 swarms a year for residents, so they are qualified to handle relocations.

To have a happy yard for bees, the best advice from Rogers is to plant a variety of vegetables, native flowers, herbs, and other plants. Bees need a variety of pollen and plants that flower in different seasons so they will always have pollen, he said.

With regards to pesticides, Rogers recommends checking what you are using to make sure that it is bee-friendly and also when you are using it.

 

He said that it's best to use any pesticides at dusk or at night when bees are back in their hives, along with never putting pesticides on flowers actively in bloom. Bees could take these pesticides back to their hives and potentially kill other bees.

 

"I was always interested in bee keeping. Vanessa and my original intention was to have a few hives and extra honey to sell. I never saw myself as a 'retailer' and having a store, but the person I was getting materials from and learning from wanted to retire, so I took it over for him." Rogers said.

 

Their success at beekeeping was unexpected, he said. 

"Sometimes the best things in your life are complete surprises," Rogers said.

For more information on bees or about Backwoods Bee Farm, call Rogers at 207-893-2847 or through email at chris@backwoodsbeefarm.com . <