Getting Stung by a Bee: A Lesson in Hive Etiquette

This week, I learned an important beekeeping lesson the hard way.

After a stretch of windy weather, I took a walk through the garden to check on my plants, birdbath, and beehive. Everything seemed fine, but I noticed that the bees had emptied their syrup feeder. Wanting to be helpful, I decided to slide a refill into the hive.The bees had other opinions.

A few seconds later, I received my first bee sting.

Fortunately, honeybee stings are a normal part of beekeeping. While no beekeeper enjoys being stung, it is important to remember that bees are not aggressive by nature. They are defensive. When a colony feels threatened, its workers respond to protect the hive.

Looking back, I can see a few things I could have done differently:

• Wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves and a veil.

• Move slowly and deliberately around the hive.

• Avoid blocking the entrance or disrupting bee traffic.

• Use a smoker when necessary to calm the colony.

• Remember that even routine tasks deserve respect.

The experience was a good reminder that a beehive is not a piece of garden décor. It is a living colony made up of thousands of individuals working together to raise brood, store food, and protect their home.

Thankfully, the sting was minor, my thumb recovered, and the bees received their refill.

As for what happened next? Well, let’s just say the experience inspired a new character named Lady Melifera, Honey-Bearer, Protector of Pollinators, and Keeper of the Hive.

Her adventures may be fictional, but the lesson is real:

Always respect the bees.

To Bee Continued…