The bees, the Virus got me full

Only a little more than a stone's throw from the border to Germany and removed the bees by Heidi Meyer flying over the lush green hills of the hamlet of Buchenloo in Zurich to Wil. In a radius of a few kilometers you care to sixteen locations almost exactly 200 bee colonies. It is a rarity, it belongs to a small Guild. How many professional beekeepers and beekeepers there are in the country, let difficult to answer, says the 50-Year-old. You out of a few dozen professional beekeepers. "Many of you it is not. Others do it as a side job."

business

them is literally slipped into the Beekeeping business, as they have taken over the bees after the death of her grandfather. "I've been looking for this employment, was then caught but full of bees, the virus," she recalls with a Laugh. After two decades in her profession as a pastry chef, and alone came in a large farmhouse living you have been with for forty years, the question of whether it was over. The big turnaround of the estate, on the today, many international magazines are at home, have proved to be of great advantage.

After Meyer had completed a Counsellor training to the beekeepers Association, could you take on more and more bees, and dared to five years ago, and finally the step into self-employment. Until then, you had with the profession as a pastry chef two legs. Their decision she regrets today, not even for a second. "It was easier than I imagined it would be. Many doors are opened and it all has to fit together." 've surprised you, how much you'll make, for the independence of pleasure. The work as a Beekeeper is seasonal, focused primarily in the spring and summer. "The Rest of the year can be divided very well."

It is the Outdoor work, the Interaction of bees with nature. To watch "is very exciting", she speaks about her Motivation. To the bees themselves, they are fascinated by the Interplay of the Queen and thousands of workers. "There are a lot of women, that's why it works so well," jokes Meyer. Each bee had its task. Particularly important is a welfare, says the Bioimkerin. Much value you place on the breeding of mild-mannered honey collectors. Nevertheless, it is once in a while, you will be stabbed at work. "A week, maybe two, three Times," she says. The belong to.

Highest bee density in Europe

The professional beekeeper has formed in the past few years as a consultant and breeder. Also new is the opportunity to complete a three-year training, "the so-called Swiss expert badge was also," explains Meyer. The first degrees were awarded in the past year. An apprenticeship to a Beekeeper, or apiarist, as it exists in neighbouring countries, is not known in Switzerland. "We have the highest bee density in the whole of Europe. Many beekeepers, by the way." That was probably the reason why there are so few Full-time in the profession.

health as a challenge

Who could imagine the leap to the professional beekeepers, Meyer does not want to discourage, especially if funds and Space are available. "It takes a lot of idealism, and you will not be rich. At work, you must also be flexible, because the work every day brings the Unexpected. This makes the work exciting." The biggest challenge is the constant Juggling of bee health. In particular, the decades of rampant Varoa mite could enforce peoples in combination with bee viruses arg and the loss of entire stocks. Constant treatments and an ongoing exchange among the beekeepers were announced.

another danger is the agricultural use of bee-harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Here, you would have to be according to Meyer, is still much more strict, even if politically somewhat recently have moved. This could be achieved with small steps a lot of, for example, if during the flight time of the bees would be sprayed on, but later in the evening. Personally, Meyer, had to accept in recent years, already poison attacks on one of their stands, as well as thefts of bee colonies. Get the best of you, you don't want to leave.

Queens across the country

Alone of the honey harvest, which is, in Meyer, twenty kilograms per people and the to drop you, among other things, to the retail trade of the Region, could Meyer for their livelihood, however, not the best riding. An important part of their activity is the breeding of Queens and the formation of young peoples. A few hundred Queens and young peoples, they are sold each year in the whole of Switzerland. "I breed as vital and resistant bees. I want to get away, however, from the narrow-minded Breed to breeds," she says. For breeding it uses both Carnica and buckfast bees, of which the latter are identified by their orange color. A significant part of Meyer's daily work consists of consultations and the transfer of knowledge, such as the sale of Queens, or at tastings. In addition, the business plays in professional beekeepers a larger role. "From Working with the animals, the extraction of the honey, to marketing, it needs significantly more effort to be able to, for example, major customers such as Migros deliver." This applies, also, to observe strict Hygiene and food regulations, what parents, in turn, investment in premises and machinery.

sweet temptation

breeding The perception of bees and the benefits of the small hard-working workers will classify you as very well. Especially the Film "More than Honey" by Swiss Director Markus Imhoof's 2012 have drawn to a sustained Boom. The for beginners suitable basic courses are very much in demand. These are very important. "The worst thing you can do, is to have a, two people in the garden and to be left alone." Meyer also notes, however, that many would recognize the importance of bees, but not in your area want to have, whether it is from fear of bites or because of the Verkotung of walls and Windows.

Heidi Meyer is not convinced that it was in spite of continuing bad news about the future of the insects because of the diseases and threats of all kind of five to Twelve. "Many idealists look to the bees and ensure your Well-being. I am, therefore, despite some large losses in the past years, is still positive." With the honey you purchase any Individual could support beekeeping in Switzerland and pollination in the country, appeals to you. She herself, incidentally, is the for life with the spoon in the Golden spread on Bread. And in the Winter it produces a special honey praline. "This is like a combination of my two professions."

source: Tages Anzeiger, a Supplement to EDUCATION

Further information: https://www.bildung-schweiz.ch/topics/landwirtschaft (tages-Anzeiger.ch/Newsnet)

Created: 09.05.2019, 10:05 p.m.