Brad Wardell's views about technology, politics, religion, world affairs, and all sorts of politically incorrect topics.
The subtle slide into kookdom
Published on April 20, 2007 By Draginol In Pets & Nature

As a kid, I was afraid of bees. I mean, hysterically afraid.  To be fair, I probably had good reason, I'd been stung hundreds of times by the time I was 12.  I grew up next to a swamp and was constantly getting stung by bees, hornets, wasps, etc. 

Admittedly, most of the stings were due to my own idiocy. Okay, nearly all were due to idiocy.  One time, after getting stung when I was 8, I "declared war" on the big wasp nest and attacked it with a stick.  The wasps won.  I was not a very bright boy.  As my 1st grade teacher said to my mom (seriously) "The world needs ditch diggers."

It wasn't until I was older that I realized that most people didn't get stung by bees a lot. I had just assumed being stung regularly was a normal thing.  I was afraid of bees because of the sound they made and just some psychological impact of seeing them flying around. 

Being stung, other than stinging (no pun intended) had no side effect.  I didn't even know until high school that some people were allergic to bees. Heck, I didn't even know people were supposed to swell up or get any mark at all.  I'd get stung and just watch the little stinger pumping in my hand, arm, leg, whatever.  I'd eventually pull it out but there wasn't even a red mark.

I'm still afraid of bees.  I really don't like having an irrational fear of something.  So I've decided to take up bee keeping.  I bought a 3 acre property that has nothing on it presently and am thinking of raising honey bees. I'm only at the beginning phase of educating myself as to what is involved. The next step is buying the gear and then finally getting the actual queen bee to start the hive.

I also think it is something good for my kids to be exposed to as well.  Funny thing, my oldest son was stung by a bee just today. If my wife hadn't seen it, people would probably not believe him -- not even a mark.


Comments (Page 2)
2 Pages1 2 
on Apr 22, 2007
I just ordered my bee gear today. No bees yet, have to learn more about taking care of them. But the actual physical stuff was shipped.
on Apr 22, 2007
My parents used to keep bees. They got rid of them when I was young though, so I can't help you much but one thing you should have a look at is what flower types are around the property. That will affect what the Honey will taste like. Some varieties of flowers and trees can produce quite exquisite honey. It is more work than it immediately appears, if you want to actually produce honey from it. Another thing, 100% no additive honey actually goes hard after being kept for a few days. Additives are added in shop honey to keep it runny. I remember as kids we used to whine endlessly about it! just something to be aware about.
on Apr 23, 2007

Did that bee keeping thing as a kid- don't plan to do it again.  They are interesting little buggers, but they require *a lot* of work to keep healthy.  And, extracting honey and getting it clean (ie: getting the bee legs and stuff out of it) is a sticky, pain in the butt job.

May the Schwartz be with you!  I think you'll need it

on Apr 23, 2007
I just ordered my bee gear today.


Please say you ordered the, smoker. It's one of those items you NEED. When, not if, your bees get excited, that's what you will need to use in order to calm them down. I'm glad you have 3 acres to keep your hives on. My father decided to keep 2 box hives in the backyard...one of the funniest things I've ever seen, was him running around the block frantically pumping the bellows of that smoker, trying to get that swarm of bees back home!

Good luck! I'm going to say a few prayers for you, to any and all Gods, just in case.





on Apr 23, 2007

The honey isn't the main interest I have. I just want a hobby that is NON-computer related that I can actually do.  Tedious grunt work is something I have no problem with as long as it does'nt take a rocket scientist to do it.

Smoker is a definite requirement.

on Apr 23, 2007

The honey isn't the main interest I have. I just want a hobby that is NON-computer related that I can actually do.  Tedious grunt work is something I have no problem with as long as it does'nt take a rocket scientist to do it.

Smoker is a definite requirement.

on Apr 23, 2007
I've always believed that you should confront your fears, so cudos to you for doing so.
on Apr 23, 2007
Tedious grunt work is something I have no problem with


Good thing 'cause there's plen-T of it in bee-keeping! Of course it depends on how many hives you have. And remember! When a bee stings you DO NOT grab the barbed stinger that's left in your skin! Instead SCRAPE it away with your fingernail or something because if you just pinch it to take hold of it all you do is squeeze in more venom.
on Apr 24, 2007

My father decided to keep 2 box hives in the backyard...one of the funniest things I've ever seen, was him running around the block frantically pumping the bellows of that smoker, trying to get that swarm of bees back home!

That is a kodak moment!

2 Pages1 2