Beekeeping

Re “Africanized Bees Are Officially Established,” April 10.

As a beekeeper I think it should be made clear that we don’t “rob” the bees. We provide a clean, comfortable home for them, protect them from moths, ants, mice and vandals, and medicate them for everything except hoof and mouth disease. We even mow their yards to keep the hive entrance weed free. I pay my taxes all year, and the government never mows my lawn.

In exchange for all this, we get to benefit from the bees’ labor as they get the benefit of ours. It’s kind of a slick deal for everyone, including the farmers who need their plants pollinated, the consumers who love honey and the bees who get a great home, with medical benefits.

If we do not leave the bees sufficient food to last the winter months, they starve and the beekeeper must purchase more bees--not good business.

In spite of this neat arrangement, we still get stung now and then--so much for gratitude.

ROBERT SAXELBY, Simi Valley