A hive spends a year to make the beekeeper a 200 lb harvest. (EXCESSIVELY optimistic!) Average bee population over the year is 30,000 bees. Each bee works 1/2 the day and rests 1/2 the day, or, 12 hours work per day.

12 x’s 30,000 =’s 360,000 working hours per day.

360,000 hours x’s 200 working days in the year =’s 72,000,000 hours worked through the year.

72,000,000 x’s $10 per hour =’s $720,000,000 to make a 200 lb annual honey harvest.

$720,000,000 ÷ 200 lbs. =’s $3,600,000 per pound

This comes before one factors in the capital expenses and the personnel fringe benefits.

Add the nominal compensation you (optionally) provide to the bees while off-season to carry them through until the next crop. It should be even more per the pound.

On top of all, you have to figure in the remodel of their home every year…..inside & out……after they just move out without notice. Many times they leave the place a mess…even to the extent of leaving dead bodies stuffed into every nook & cranny.

That was one model. Another beekeeper suggested this using the Company Store model the Railroads used in centuries past, after all the bees are a captive workforce.

They could be paid a competitive wage, but as was pointed out they only work part of the year, so the rest of the time we back charge their wages for the rent.

We take the honey because that is the product we are paying them to produce whether hourly or piece work. Honey is produced during a time when the supply of nectar far outstrips the demand driving down the value of the honey we would have to pay them for the piece work.

Then, during the times when the demand for nectar is high, but the supply is low, we could again back charge them exorbitant prices and fees for the sugar syrup we supply. They could even end up owing us.

You provide the house, so you charge rent. Then there is the feeding during dearth periods. Free medical inspections-and provided medications when necessary. As if medications are free.

The “Company Store” model would have them owing us.

More accurately IMO, as another beekeeper pointed out:

The hive is a single organism. So you factor in ONE wage, times hours worked. Assuming you’re paying minimum wage (keep it at $7/hr. for ease of calculation). 6 months times 7 days a week for 10 hours per day. $7 x 6 (months) x 4 (weeks/month) x 7 (days/week) x 10 (hours) = $11,700. So if you take the example of 200 lbs. above (I wish I had those bees!) then the cost per pound is $58.50 just for labor. A more realistic number but still highly unprofitable.

Not addressed:

1. How do you factor in child labor laws for the nurse and housekeeping bees since only a limited time of adulthood is actually done foraging and no social security pensions are offered when the bees exceed their productivity cycle.

2. Best comment received. “Y’all are nuts. I pay my girls piece work, one penny per 1/4 teaspoon. Most do not live long enough to cash the check. Some never show up to collect it. Cuts down on expenses, but all those 1099’s are a pain in the derrière.”

Child labor laws would only apply  for the nurse and housekeeping bees. Moreover only a limited time of adulthood is done foraging. Furthermore, no social security pensions are offered when these bees exceed their productivity cycle or come home disabled with tattered wings or broken legs.

This becomes a very serious matter when exploitation of a captive labor force is factored in. It is no wonder that some tribes actually swarm away seeking freedom and better opportunities.

Gracious words are a honeycomb,
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.