For the production of honey, on a commercial basis, Italian variety of honey bee is reared. Apis mellifera is commonly used for honey production, throughout the country. This variety has been domesticated in India, due to its various good characters such as gentleness in nature, good honey collection capacity prolific queen production. with less swarming and a good ability to protect itseb from enemies.
For the purpose of commercial production of honey, apiaries are established. For artificial rearing of bees, artificial hive is required. Artificial hive consists of a large brood chamber, wax coated metal plates and plastic plates. These plates form the base of artificial hive. These hives are kept in garden, to attract the bees. Blooming period is the most suitable time for artificial rearing. Drone bees are introduced.
Drone bees secrete wax from their abdomen, producing glands. They start secreting wax on plates coated with toad. Drones prepare wax chambers on wax coated plates. When the honey chambers are filled completely, then plates are taken out and honey is collected. The wax deposited on these is also separated.
Honey is very useful for health. It is also used in ayurvedic medicines. Wax obtained from bees is called bee wax, which is used in the preparation of polish, creams and shoe polish. Apiculture is used professionlly in these days. Khadi Gram Udhyog is encouraging apiculture, nowadays.
