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!