When I go weeks without getting stung, I get way too comfortable around the girls. I suit up fully when I do inspections but when I’m just hanging out in the apiary, which I do every day after work, I usually only have on shorts and flip flops. When I first started out (April 1), I kept a respectable distance. But now I put my face literally inches from the entrance on a daily basis. Mostly because I’m obsessed with looking for varroa mites. So I look closely from thorax to thorax of all the bees on the landing board. Even during inspections, after determining that my queen is laying and all is fine, I look carefully at the bees backside for mites (and deformed wings). I've still never seen a mite in person! Beekeepers that I look up to assure me they’re there and I guess I’ll take their word.
But I get ****y when I get that close day after day and they pay me no mind. I have that mentality that they won’t harm me if I don’t harm them. Which is silly because they are wild animals. I wouldn't harm a bear either but I’d be a fool to get in a cage with one. I once read that bees can remember people’s faces so I thought that maybe they would recognize me and remember that I’m not a nuisance (or maybe I am because I dismantle their house every 14 days). I also rescue drowning bees every day in the water sources I have for them and I’m pretty sure I heard a bee whisper “Thank You” one time. Plus I provide lots of great flowers for them to forage on and surely they wouldn't sting the hand that feeds them? But yesterday I was brought back to reality when for no reason, a bee flew up from the landing board and stung me on the lip. I usually learn from my mistakes but I have a feeling that my face will be right back near hive again this evening. I guess I’m not very bright.
But I get ****y when I get that close day after day and they pay me no mind. I have that mentality that they won’t harm me if I don’t harm them. Which is silly because they are wild animals. I wouldn't harm a bear either but I’d be a fool to get in a cage with one. I once read that bees can remember people’s faces so I thought that maybe they would recognize me and remember that I’m not a nuisance (or maybe I am because I dismantle their house every 14 days). I also rescue drowning bees every day in the water sources I have for them and I’m pretty sure I heard a bee whisper “Thank You” one time. Plus I provide lots of great flowers for them to forage on and surely they wouldn't sting the hand that feeds them? But yesterday I was brought back to reality when for no reason, a bee flew up from the landing board and stung me on the lip. I usually learn from my mistakes but I have a feeling that my face will be right back near hive again this evening. I guess I’m not very bright.
