Magic Of The Waggle Dance

When a bee finds a new supply of nectar food, how does it tell other bees, or nest-mates, where it is? The honeybee has evolved to communicate through the medium of dance. Yes dance!

The foragers of the honeybees can travel up to 14km from their nest to find the best source of nectar. To communicate exactly what they have found and exactly where it is they dance ‘round dances’ and ‘waggle dances. The “round dance” signals to their nest-mates that there is a lucrative pollen area nearby. The “waggle dance” tells them exactly where it is how far to go, and in what direction the nest mates need to fly.

It helps the colony become efficient, encouraging them to channel their energies towards the more nutritious areas of the ground. It means that their hive is usually filled with nectar from healthy, nectar-rich gardens. Pollinators are fundamental to the lifecycle of our plants and food crops.

The number of beehives in the UK has declined by nearly immensely in the past century. One major reason for this is a change in land use leading to fewer flowers. Fields of wheat and barley now have very few weeds. Fields of grass now have few wildflowers and clover is less used. Hay meadows are increasingly rare and much of the heather moorland has been ploughed up or lost to urbanisation.

At the Hampshire Bee Company, we save bees by physically removing established colonies and rehoming them in the Hampshire countryside instead of treating them with pesticides. We then use the beeswax and honey to create beautiful, artisan, all-natural products.

We are passionate about bees and the role they play in the health of our planet!

Visit our shop https://thehampshirebeecompany.co.uk/shop/