Bee keeping - Ask Extension
I bought property on highway 20. I had planned to start a hive and bee keeping next spring. My concern is that I have foxglove literally every where. ...
Knowledgebase
Bee keeping #875309
Asked June 29, 2024, 11:09 PM EDT
I bought property on highway 20. I had planned to start a hive and bee keeping next spring. My concern is that I have foxglove literally every where. It is definitely the dominant flower at this point. The property behind me is clear cut and the entire hillside is foxglove. Also have 4 or 5 rhododendron plants. My question is, is it safe to harvest honey from bees that have primarily foxglove available?
Lincoln County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Shana,
Because honey bees gather nectar from numerous sources the number of rhododendron plants in your yard is unlikely to be enough to make a negative impact on the safety of the honey. Plus, the bees might be busy gathering a different nectar rather than rhododendron nectar.
I could not find any research articles stating whether or not honey from foxglove nectar is toxic. I did find articles about bumble bees and tiny native bees gathering foxglove nectar, but none about honey bees gathering the nectar. Foxgloves are deep flowers so honey bees might not gather from them. To put your mind at ease, spend time this summer observing the foxgloves and noting if you see any honey bees.
There are many other sources of nectar in the woods such as maple trees, fireweed, and the ubiquitous Scotch broom. All of these species will populate logged areas.
If you have any doubts after observing bee activity, you can always send honey out to be tested for safety. The National Honey Board has information on honey testing laboratories.
Because honey bees gather nectar from numerous sources the number of rhododendron plants in your yard is unlikely to be enough to make a negative impact on the safety of the honey. Plus, the bees might be busy gathering a different nectar rather than rhododendron nectar.
I could not find any research articles stating whether or not honey from foxglove nectar is toxic. I did find articles about bumble bees and tiny native bees gathering foxglove nectar, but none about honey bees gathering the nectar. Foxgloves are deep flowers so honey bees might not gather from them. To put your mind at ease, spend time this summer observing the foxgloves and noting if you see any honey bees.
There are many other sources of nectar in the woods such as maple trees, fireweed, and the ubiquitous Scotch broom. All of these species will populate logged areas.
If you have any doubts after observing bee activity, you can always send honey out to be tested for safety. The National Honey Board has information on honey testing laboratories.
