OUR
PACIFIC CREST APIARIES
STORY
WELCOME!
(Before reading our story,
please allow us to share this information):
Here is a very important message to everyone living in Santa Cruz,
Santa Clara, Monterey, and nearby counties of Northern California, and any areas other than the above,
where the California Buckeye tree grows:
Mentioned in our website, under "Misconceptions and Enemies of Honey bees", we
list California Buckeye as one of the "enemies". We find it necessary to mention it on the "first page" of
our website. It is that important! Please take time to read the following: California Buckeye is a deciduous tree which is very prolific in these areas. We are not certain as of this writing if local Nurseries sell it, however, they probably do since
we have heard of people purchasing these trees for their landscape needs.
It is a beautiful tree, with creamy white, very fragrant flowers. This tree's
pollen, when taken by honey bees to feed the brood in the hive or colony is very poisonous. When honey bees emerge from their
cells, they are rendered wingless. The pollen from California Buckeye which is stored in the wax cells and fed
to young brood, can remain in the colony and continue it's damage until all of the bees are dead, mostly from starvation.
(For worker bees to forage for food, they must be
able to fly)
Please alert everyone you know. Let's work to erradicate this poisonous tree!
We have found out that this tree happens to be on the protected list. This must
change.
Our honey bees are more precious of a commodity than California Buckeye!
If your local Nursery sells it, please let them know the danger this tree is to honey bees. It is also important to
note that it is just this species of Buckeye that is dangerous: California Buckeye and not other trees or large bushes
within the family of Buckeye. We welcome your comments. Thanks for your help.
Over 60 years ago, Ed Mumm, Sr. tended his first beehive. Having
so many years' experience might constitute an award for "hanging in there" through thick 'n thin.
For Ed, these days, tending honeybees is like breathing: it just occurs naturally.
Of course he does have a schedule, sort of. His
schedule doesn't necessarily include any calendar of the "whens" or "wheres" of keeping our honeybees. I guess you could
say that his special schedule is in his heart and soul: it's a part of his spirit.
My education began over eighteen years
ago. Once I learned about these amazing creatures, I was "hooked". There is no doubt in my mind that they are
totally awesome!
With all of the experience we have
together, we are still learning about honey bees. I don't think that there is one person out there who knows everything
there is to know about this subject. It is a never-ending education and continually churns my fascination.
Ed and I are asked questions about
our hobby quite frequently. I thought that I would answer some of those questions here and share some interesting
facts. I also came up with the idea of taking pictures while working on our bees throughout the year. You
might say that this website is a "Honey Bee" picture album with a beekeeper's "take" on some of the many aspects of beekeeping.
WHY APIARIES AND NOT A-P-I-A-R-Y?
A question
that "pops" up occasionally is,
"Why does your bee farm name have the word, "Apiaries"
(plural) instead of "Apiary" (just one)?"
The answer: Because
an Apiary is one place or location where colonies of honey bees are kept. If we only had colonies
at one location all of the time, then we would be considered as having just one apiary.
OUR LABEL AND OUR LOGO
Around
the 60's, Ed's "home-grown" honey became quite popular with the neighbors and with friends. He found out that he sure
had a lot of friends all of a sudden! And, quite a few friendly neighbors, too.
As time went on, a need for a label
and a name for his bee farms was necessary. It wasn't until the mid-70's that he finally got around to getting
a label and a logo for his hand-bottled and hand-processed raw honey.
For more on this, click on:
DEDICATION OF THIS WEBSITE:
To the men
and women who are genuine in their desire to help the honey bee flourish. To those who are honest in their
day to day work as beekeepers and who desire to unselfishly give themselves to this honorable profession.
And now, read and enjoy our website!
Come back and visit every once in awhile. I am constantly adding and changing content.
Thank you for taking the time in a
never-ending "hustle and bustle" life we live today.
Dana Mumm, co-owner
Pacific Crest Apiaries
