It's unsettling to know that you're going to be stung.
But if you decide to keep bees, you have to be prepared to meet this inevitability with a stiff upper lip.
It's not that bees are particularly hostile, but when there are 40,000 of them in a hive, you have to expect to find at least one bee a season that's going to be hacked off about something.
As most sources on beekeeping point out, bees are really gentle and don't want to sting you. It's just that accidents happen and you need to be prepared for them.
So with that in mind, I placed an order a few days ago for two colonies. They will be delivered in April, so there's no going back now.
If you are thinking about taking the plunge as well, here are some things to consider in favor of becoming a beekeeper:
1) For us gardeners, bees do the heavy lifting when it comes to pollinating apples, apricots, plums, raspberries and other fruits, berries and nuts. Melons, squash, peppers, eggplants and cucumbers also need a pollinator to bear fruit.
And if you want to collect seeds for next year's garden, you'll need a pollinator as well for veggies like carrots, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and many others.
2) Having your own bees also means a plentiful supply of wild-flower honey. I have a seven-year-old daughter and she puts honey on everything -- including hot dogs. We go through a ton of honey each week, so having our own supply is like having money in the bank.
3) Finally, bees need a shoulder to lean on right now. Honeybee populations in the U.S. have declined about 30% each year since 2006. Scientist haven't determined the exact cause for the collapse, but hobbyist beekeepers may help keep honeybee populations going while the problem is diagnosed, and hopefully, a solution is found.
So if you're considering beekeeping, you may want to check back periodically. I'll let you know any tips and tricks I learn along the way.
And, I'll also let you know when I meet a bee that didn't get her morning coffee and decided to take it out on me.
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