Bee suits and bees

We finally finished the third part of our bee class with master beekeeper, Jane Sueme. The little beekeeper and I had the opportunity to suit up for a hands-on experience. We ventured down to her shop where she has three hives sitting beside the parking lot. There were several in attendance and I was anxious to see what this bee business was all about. This was our first up close experience with opening a hive. I debated taking the little beekeeper as I wasn’t sure what to expect but he was so excited I couldn’t tell him no. He listens well and can follow directions so after asking permission and not receiving an answer I just decided it wouldn’t be an issue. Looking back, I probably should have just left him at home. It was several hours of being suited up and standing. We did get the chance to see and hold frames of bees. He was nervous and didn’t want to drop the frame, so he did not choose to hold. As all the frames are being passed around and bees are buzzing he says to me: “Mom, I think there is a bee in my pants”. I was 99% sure there was no way a bee had made its way into his pants and assured him he was fine but in my head I’m thinking “what if he DOES have a bee in his pants”. I remain calm but can see that he just doesn’t look well…taking on a weak and peaked look. With that it dawns on me that we’ve been standing for hours in a bee suit without water, and I don’t even know what he had for breakfast. In talking to him he’s now saying he doesn’t feel well. Now remember, all this conversation is happening in full bee suits and we have masks on. I quickly grab a hold of him as I’m afraid he is going to pass out and escort him away from the group to sit on the curb of the parking lot and run to the car hoping there is a bottle of water in there. Fortunately, there was a half full bottle, hopefully no more than a day or two old that he sipped on. After getting the mask and bee suit off, sitting for a bit and having some water he did start to feel better. I missed a bit of the end of class but ultimately needed to get him something to eat for lunch. I’m happy to report that there was no evidence of any bee in his pants but it did start having me question if he indeed would be cut out for all this. In the end though, if it has to be, I guess it was better him than me! Ultimately, glad no one passed out and looking forward to our next experience where it will be on our terms and with our own bees. 

-Worker Bee 2021