Delaware County Beekeepers Association

09/21/2026

09/18/2026

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When Notre-Dame Cathedral went up in flames in April 2019, the world watched in shock as the spire collapsed and much of the historic roof was destroyed.

But high above the chaos, something far smaller—and completely unexpected—was also in danger.

Tucked away on the cathedral’s sacristy roof were three beehives, home to nearly 180,000 honeybees.

For days after the fire, no one knew if they had survived.

The hives had been installed back in 2013 as part of a Paris urban beekeeping initiative led by beekeeper Nicolas Géant, who wanted to help people see bees differently—to make them “famous” and appreciated, even in the heart of a busy city. Placing them on one of the most iconic landmarks in the world was part of that vision.

As the fire raged, Géant could only wait. Authorities wouldn’t let him near the site, and hope rested on distant images of the damaged roof.

Then came the first signs.

From aerial photos, the hives were still visible—three small shapes in the middle of devastation.

And then, confirmation: the bees were alive.

“Thank goodness the flames didn’t touch them… it’s a miracle,” Géant said.

There was a reason they made it. The hives had been placed on a lower section of the building, about 30 meters from where the main fire spread. And unlike humans, bees don’t flee from smoke—they retreat into the hive, consuming honey to protect themselves.

While so much of the cathedral was lost that day, the survival of the bees became a quiet, powerful symbol of resilience.

Even during the long restoration, they remained—continuing to pollinate, continuing to produce honey, continuing to live.

In the middle of destruction, life carried on… one tiny wingbeat at a time. 🐝💛

References: CBC News, The Guardian UK, Beeopic

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09/04/2026

A groundbreaking study examining the relationship between beekeeping and longevity has revealed that apiarists (beekeepers) may possess a distinct biological advantage that allows them to age more slowly than the general population. Published in the journal PMC, the research focused on telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that serve as a crucial indicator of cellular aging. Scientists discovered that beekeepers had significantly longer telomeres than non-beekeepers of the same age. Because telomeres naturally shorten as cells replicate and degrade over time, the maintenance of greater telomeres length among beekeepers provides direct, molecular evidence of a delayed biological clock and a reduced rate of cellular senescence (senescent cells are often called “zombie cells” because they refuse to die despite being heavily damaged, and they can “infect” surrounding healthy cells with dysfunction).

Researchers attribute this anti-aging phenomenon primarily to the regular, long-term consumption and handling of nutrient-dense bee products. The study demonstrated that both the duration of years spent consuming these products and the daily frequency of their intake directly correlated with longer telomeres. Hive elements such as raw honey, propolis, and royal jelly are densely packed with potent antioxidants and bioactive compounds that actively combat oxidative stress and promote cellular repair. Additionally, consistent exposure to the anti-inflammatory properties of bee venom—combined with the outdoor physical activity and mindfulness required to keep a colony calm—creates a unique environmental synergy that effectively acts as a natural defense against the traditional markers of aging.

SEE PMID: 26028466

Check out the comments section for the full benefits of beekeeping 🐝🍯🫶

08/29/2026

The bees weren't happy with the drop in temperature last night. If you haven't started Autumn chores yet, you'd better get to it. It certainly doesn't look like we're in for an Indian Summer this year.

08/16/2026

Between June 2024 and January 2025, a full 62% of commercial honey bee colonies in the United States died, according to an extensive survey.⁠
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As soon as scientists at the USDA caught wind of the die-offs, they sprang into action—but their efforts were slowed by a series of federal funding cuts and layoffs. 6 months later, USDA scientists finally identified a culprit.⁠
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According to a preprint posted last June, nearly all the dead colonies tested positive for bee viruses spread by parasitic mites. Alarmingly, every single one of the mites the researchers screened was resistant to amitraz, the only viable mite-specific pesticide—or miticide—of its kind left in humans’ arsenal.⁠
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Tracking the rise of miticide resistance is critical, experts say. Honey bees pollinate more than 90 commercial crops in the U.S., generate between $20 billion and $30 billion in agricultural revenue, and play a key role in keeping the U.S. food supply stable.⁠
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Learn more on : https://scim.ag/4nACitd

08/15/2026

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