ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Robertsdale Garden Club met Thursday, Oct. 13 at the George P. Thames Senior Center in Robertsdale. Chet Beyer, owner and operator of I ‘Bee’ da Man LLC presented a program about the importance of bees. Beyer also operates a bee removal service. Highlights of the program included honey and wax production and that honey bees are directly responsible for one-third of our food supply through pollination of the fruits and vegetables we eat daily.

Honeybee numbers in North America have dwindled by more than 50 percent in the last 15 years, not only because of natural reasons, but because of introduced pests from South Africa and India. Also, there is a pollinator’s disease called Colony Collapse Disorder and the cause has not been determined. The value of crops that rely on such pollination has been as high as $10 billion annually in the United States.

Beyer said that honey bee venom is extracted for the production of antivenom which is being investigated as a treatment for several serious diseases of the muscles, connective tissue, and immune system, including multiple sclerosis and arthritis.

If you see a feral colony of bees you need to contact a professional honey bee remover or dial 911. Should any honey bees show defensive tendencies run, cover and get inside a vehicle, house or structure. Shut yourself away from the bees. Do not jump in water because the bees will just wait until you need to breathe. It helps if the enclosure you choose is dark and if possible turn down the air conditioning.

Beyer had many jars of honey available for purchase. He said that honey never spoils and should not be stored in the refrigerator.

Following the program a business meeting was held. Refreshments were provided by Charlotte Zinner and Mary Ann Lindsay

The November meeting will be a field trip to Bamboo Gardens in Pensacola on Thursday, Nov. 10. Additional information can be obtained by calling 251-989-7341. Guests are welcome.