In El Sereno, northeast Los Angeles, 100-year-old Victor Jaramillo has been stung by his bees more than a dozen times yet refuses protective suits, trusting instincts honed since age three. Celebrating his centennial last June, his story highlights resilience, community ties, and the vital role of urban beekeepers in pollinator conservation.
A Legacy Rooted in Tradition
Don Victor learned beekeeping from his father and grandfather in Zacatecas, Mexico, arriving in California in 1946. For nearly 50 years, he's run a simple stand at 5236 S. Huntington Dr., selling honey, royal jelly, and pollen without social media. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., it's a neighborhood staple accessible via Metro Line 78.
- Stings don't deter him: familiarity breeds confidence.
- Beloved figure: draws customers from Pasadena to Pomona.
- Family involvement: shares knowledge with 15 children.
Inside the Hive: Bees at Work
Bees transform nectar into honey using enzymes passed mouth-to-mouth, storing it in wax-sealed combs. A thriving hive hosts up to 60,000 bees, with structured roles ensuring survival.
- Worker bees (all female): forage, produce honey, live up to four months.
- Drones (males): mate with queen, no honey role.
- Queen: lays 1,500-2,000 eggs daily, lives up to five years.
Son John Jaramillo explains harvesting yields 50 pounds weekly, but care includes pest checks, vitamins, and drought feeding amid California's dry spells.
Health Benefits and Longevity Secrets
Don Victor credits daily honey—no added sugar—for his vitality, surviving COVID-19 and tumor surgery. Honey's antimicrobial properties support immunity, aligning with studies linking it to wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects. At 100, he tends hives energetically, cane optional.
Urgent Call to Protect Pollinators
Bees pollinate one-third of human diet—nuts, fruits, vegetables—per NIH data, yet face global warming threats like flower scarcity. The Jaramillos warn against swatting: a bee's barbed stinger means her death upon stinging. Urban beekeepers like don Victor model coexistence, countering colony collapse and fostering food security in climate-stressed cities.
