Amy Elizabeth’s letter about honeybees is a misleading, at best, picture of beekeeping (“Be a ‘honey’ to the bees,” Aug. 15, TribLIVE).

Historically, honeybees and their hives were an important part of American life. Honey was used as a sweetener and medicine. Wax from the hive was used in candles and creams. Bees were brought to our continent in 1622. Bees and humankind have been a team for hundreds of years.

I have been a beekeeper since 2005. The beekeepers I know care for their bees. We feed our bees when necessary. We treat them for diseases and pests when necessary. We harvest honey, but only the “extra” honey, not the honey the bees need to survive. We do not damage the hives in the process.

You can help support honeybees by planting pollinator-friendly flowers and trees. Get to know your local beekeeper. Find one at the farm market in your area. You can get decent honey in the supermarket. Read the label to see if it is raw and local. There are good commercial beekeepers. Do a little research.

Bees make a product many people enjoy. Stay healthy, eat honey!

Lisa Laskow

Donegal Township

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