Bee venom, or apitoxin, is one of the rarest and most valuable products that can be harvested from an apiary.
While honey, propolis, and royal jelly are well-known bee products, bee venom stands out due to its scarcity and unique uses.
It’s not something that can be easily harvested in large quantities, and the process requires specialized techniques to collect it safely without harming the bees.
Why Is Bee Venom So Rare?
1. Challenging Collection Process: Collecting bee venom is not as simple as extracting honey or beeswax.
Beekeepers use special devices that “encourage” the bees to sting a glass or plastic surface.
The venom is then collected without harming the bee, as the sting is not fully injected into the material.
This method, while effective, limits the amount of venom that can be collected at one time.
2. Limited Production: Bees only produce venom when they feel threatened.
Unlike honey or wax, which are produced as part of the bees’ regular activities, venom production is tied to their defense mechanism.
Therefore, harvesting it on a large scale is difficult and time-consuming.
3. Specialized Use: Bee venom has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is increasingly popular in modern therapies.
It is used in apitherapy to treat conditions such as arthritis, inflammation, and even certain skin conditions.
The demand for bee venom in medical and cosmetic industries adds to its value, but it’s not something that every beekeeper focuses on producing.
How Bee Venom Is Harvested
Harvesting bee venom requires careful handling and a special device. Here’s a general outline of the process:
Venom Collection Plate: A glass or plastic plate is placed near the hive entrance.
This plate is connected to a low electrical current that encourages the bees to sting the surface without causing them harm.
Stinging Process: When the bees sting the plate, their venom is deposited on the surface, but since they don’t lose their stinger, they aren’t harmed in the process (just really angry).
Venom Extraction: The venom dries on the plate and is later scraped off and purified for use.
The amount collected is usually very small, making it a valuable and rare commodity.
