Archived Chat: An Open Book on Backyard Beekeeping

Controversy has surrounded a Port Washington couple's home, where thousands of honey bees sit in a hive outside their house.

Bethel and Mike Metz to their home in the 100 block of East Van Buren Street this summer, after taking beekeeping classes at the Urban Ecology Center in Riverside Park earlier this year. At the height of the summer, they had nearly 100,000 bees living in their hive. The population has now dropped to about 75,000 as the bees prepare for winter.

The , while the Metzes hope officials will consider an ordinance that will allow urban beekeeping within city limits. The issue has been at 6:30 p.m. tonight.

Regardless of the outcome of this situation, one thing that can help us better understand the entire issue is a general education about beekeeping, the importance of pollination and the characteristics of "honey bees," for example.

Today, Bethel Metz joins us in a conversation about her honey bees and urban beekeeping. Ask away!