My Sorry what happened to Michael Sommers, I also got stung on by lip for the first time by just trying to clean up around the hive. The beekeeper needs to take a lot of precaution at this time of year the bees are limited to how much more food they can bring in to get them through the winter and to next spring so they're trying to protect what they have and they do it very well. Just be cautious
Rick Stelzig
Thank you, Claire, for spreading the word of caution. Tending my bees nearly cost me my life. Sadly, I must give up beekeeping. It's been a great ride and I truly miss my bees and tending my hives. All my bees have been removed and all my equipment has been distributed among my beekeeping friends.
Take care, all. Stay safe and be well. peace, m
I feel the need to spread the word about caution with regard to your bees this time of year.
I was mowing the lawn and thirty feet from the nearest hive this morning and got stung on the face. Another was in my hair but I squeezed it before it could sting. This is no big deal but another beekeeper (Michael Sommers) story is a BIG DEAL.
He came within a few minutes of death last week. He wasn't in his hives either. He was just behind them doing something he had done before. He wasn't suited up which is understandable. The bees poured out of the hive and attacked him in mass. He's very rural and it took a half hour for the ambulance to get there. By time he was at the hospital his blood pressure was 70 over 40. They said he had minutes to live. He had to spend 24 hours in ICU.
So please, please, please be extra cautious doing ANYTHING anywhere near your bees. Suit up.
You matter!