Dear New Beekeepers

I get it. I really do! I <3 bees too! :-)

But please read this. There are some more experienced beekeepers that might want to read this too!

Although beekeeping is highly geographically dependent and one colony can be a little different than the next, bees are also bees...meaning that they are wild creatures with changing moods and a motive to defend themselves.

This defensiveness can even be exhibited in different ways with some being more defensive than others. Just remember, everything about their demeanor can (and will) change depending on many MANY variables.

Just because it is a beautiful day, does NOT mean that your bees are in a good mood.

Maybe the food sources start drying up or pests of various types are harassing them.

Maybe they have gotten sick, exposed to certain chemicals, or simply had a large number of them slide into new roles as the queen slows down or stops laying.

Maybe they are honey bound and about to swarm?