The different kinds of bees

The bees who make the honey are called honeybees. There are other kinds. Some, like the honeybee, are social and live together in large numbers. Others live alone. These are called solitary. The miner bee is a solitary bee. She makes a hole in the ground, builds a nest there, and lays her eggs. Carpenter bees are very much like miner bees, but they bite into solid wood to make their nests. Bumblebees are social bees, and they also make honey, but it is not very good to eat.

However, bumblebees are very useful to the farmers. They carry clover pollen from one blossom to another, and when the clover grows, it makes excellent food for the cattle. The best way to learn about bees is to go out to a farm and watch them work. The farmer will give you something to cover your face and hands so they will not sting you. After a while, the bees will even come very close without stinging you. You should never be afraid of a bee. She will not sting unless you try to hurt her or her hive. She is a very friendly insect, as well as a useful one.