Samantha Johnson - The Beginners Guide to Beekeeping: Everything You Need to Know, Updated & Revised

You may have some questions or concerns about this beekeeping idea of yours. Lets see if we can help clarify some issues and perhaps ease some of your concerns.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT GETTING STUNG - MAYBE A LOT! While the possibility exists that you will receive a sting here and there over the course of your beekeeping gig, this usually is not a particularly serious concern. Unlike certain wasps or hornets, which can be aggressive depending on the circumstances, honey bees are generally passive creatures that will only sting as a last resort to protect the hive. A worker honey bee that is out collecting pollen will almost never sting, because it is not worried about defending the hive. Even those bees that are inside or nearby the hive will have to perceive a considerable threat before they will begin to sting. As long as you do your homework and are gentle and careful while working among your bees, frequent stings should not be an issue for you. (In some circumstances, a bee sting can be extremely serious; see .)

I'M WORRIED THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A LOT OF WORK - I DIDN'T GET INTO BEEKEEPING TO DO SOMETHING HARD! Well be honest: beekeeping is, to some extent, hard work, but the work is different than caring for, say, a dog or cat or horse. Bees do not require repetitive daily chores. Bees dont have to be fed twice a day, or walked on a leashthey dont even need to be inspected every day. While a schedule is a good idea so that you dont fall too far behind or miss something important, it can be loose and adaptable to your lifestyle. The times of heavier work occur during the initial spring hive setup (which may only have to be done once), the honey harvest, and some general preparations in spring and fall. Overall, if youre looking for a rewarding project that doesnt require you to conform to a rigid schedule, keeping bees may be just the thing youre looking for.

WHAT WILL MY NEIGHBORS THINK? Its possible that neighbors may be (understandably) apprehensive about your new hobbybut that is only because they are probably just thinking of bees as a vicious group of stinging bugs, bent on seeking their next victim. Youll just need to reassure these concerned souls that a foraging honey bee is only focused on collecting nectar and pollen (and, incidentally, you could point out, pollinating the neighbors plants!) and does not pose a significant threat. You could even invite the neighbors to watch you work with the hives so they can gain firsthand experience with the naturally gentle behavior of your honey bees. And, of course, a complementary bottle of honey or two can go a long way toward making your neighbors view beekeeping in a positive light.