BENTALL BEES
At The Bentall Centre, our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship extends to our very own urban beekeeping initiative.
Did you know that we are proud to house our own beehives right here on our premises?
These hardworking bees play a crucial role in local pollination, contributing to the vibrant ecosystem surrounding us.
Not only do they enhance the beauty of Kingston’s surroundings, but they also provide us with delicious, locally sourced honey.
Our buzzing bees are a symbol of our dedication to supporting biodiversity and sustainable practises, and we are thrilled to have them as an integral part of our community.
Bee Facts
- There are three different castes of bees the queen, the drome, and the worker.
- There are many different types of hive. The Bentall Centre hive is called a ‘National’ hive.
- There are 20,000 species of bee worldwide, of which around 270 are in the UK, including 24 species of bumblebee.
- A bee is the only insect which can feed its own young. Larva are fed for five days after hatching then the cell is capped or closed.
- Pollen grains are produced by flowers as part of this reproductive cycle. In the UK there are at least 1,500 different insects pollinating our plants. This includes wasps, all types of bees and bumble bees, butterflies, moths, flies and beetles.
- A productive queen, favoured by the colony and free from disease should live for at least 2 years.
- There are multiple threats to bees mites, viruses, insects, countryside changes and Asian hornets.
- A honey bee can fly up to 5 miler at speeds of up to 15mph