Meet the Bees :
Why We Keep Bees
In an urban environment, every bee matters. Our bee colony helps pollinate flowers, fruits, and vegetables — boosting harvests and keeping our garden thriving. Bees also support local biodiversity, offer hands-on learning opportunities, and remind us of nature’s presence in the heart of the city.
Meet Our Beekeeper, Garry!
Garry has managed bees for over 12 years, combining expertise, patience, and deep respect for the creatures he stewards. He brings educational experiences to the garden, including interactive tours where families learn about the hive, honey, and the importance of pollinators.
Bees play a vital role in the success of our garden, and we’re lucky to have Garry, an experienced and passionate beekeeper, caring for our hive. Here’s a peek into what beekeeping looks like at Maxwell Street — from daily routines to the science of hive health — straight from Garry himself!
All About Bees!
Do You Ever Get Stung?
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Yes — usually at least once per visit!
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Stings vary in pain and duration depending on where they happen. A finger sting is sharp but fades quickly, while an ankle sting might barely be noticeable at first but can linger. Each spring, Garry gets a few stings to help his body build tolerance to the venom. And yes, he always thanks the bee — who gives its life — for the sacrifice.
Why Don’t You Always Wear Gloves?
Garry wears disposable gloves — not to avoid stings, but to keep his hands clean from honey and propolis. When searching for the queen bee, it’s crucial to act fast. Clean hands (or easy-to-remove gloves) make it quicker to mark the queen and avoid time-consuming re-searches.
Why Mark the Queen?
Marking the queen makes her easier to find in the hive and helps track her age and origin. This is especially useful when splitting hives or checking hive health. A marked queen also signals whether a new, unmarked queen may have replaced the original.
What Do the Queen’s Colors Mean?
Queen bees are marked with standardized colors based on their birth year:
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White – Years ending in 1 or 6
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Yellow – Years ending in 2 or 7
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Red – Years ending in 3 or 8
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Green – Years ending in 4 or 9
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Blue – Years ending in 0 or 5
These five colors are sufficient since queens usually live 2–3 years.
What Happens When the Queen Gets Old?
Older queens produce irregular brood patterns known as “shotgun brood.” It looks scattered and makes it harder for worker bees to care for the young. This signals that it's time for the beekeeper to replace her with a younger, more fertile queen.
How Long Do Worker Bees Live?
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Summer bees: Live about 6 weeks
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Fall/Winter bees: Live 4–6 months
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Winter bees are vital to keeping the queen warm and raising the first brood of spring. Their longevity depends on the hive's health and fall preparation.
Why Do Hives Have 1–3 Boxes?
​The number of boxes reflects hive size. A small hive may start with one box, or “nuc,” while growing hives require additional boxes as the colony expands. Garry uses a mix of medium 6-frame Styrofoam and 8-frame wooden boxes, common among beekeepers in North America.
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Why Store Empty Boxes Outside?
Storing hive equipment outdoors helps control pests like wax moths and hive beetles. Cold winter temperatures kill larvae and eggs. Indoor storage, like in basements, can result in wax moth infestations. Some beekeepers use mothballs, but that’s not ideal for food-grade honey production.
Why Aren’t the Hive Boxes Painted?
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While painted hives may look pretty, unpainted wooden boxes help with:​
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Moisture control inside the hive
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Stealth – unpainted boxes blend into the garden, easing fear for bee-wary visitors
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Some boxes made of polystyrene are painted and offer superior insulation — helping bees maintain stable temperatures year-round, especially during unpredictable Chicago springs.
