Well, it finally happened...

Well, it finally happened. One of my bees stung me! Right through my leather glove! Fortunately I had Apis handy, as well as Jennifer W.'s Bee Sting Salve, so I dosed up quick and am feeling no ill effects...except to my psyche, that is.

I have been very concerned for my bees in the last few weeks. They made it through the winter but the hive still seemed stressed from it. A couple of months ago when I checked them they had gotten comb growing off balance and I had to do some pretty major "sculpting" to get it back on track. They were very unhappy with me. When I went to check them today the combs were in much better shape and there was a lot of capped honey, as well as nice brood comb established. But they were not happy campers and it was an unpleasant visit. I'm sure the heat has a something to do with it but I could not wait any longer to check them. Even with smoking they swarmed around me in a very upset state and one hit me just right on the back of my hand and penetrated my glove. I couldn't believe it!

One thing I can absolutely say for sure: a sting from a true honey bee does not hurt anywhere near as bad as a sting from a bumblebee, wasp, hornet, or other wild bees. It was defintitely painful, but not much and not for long. Still...I was crushed! Oh well...

There was so much honey that I decided to harvest one comb and it's straining into a bowl as we speak. So beautiful and full of goodness. Thank you bees for sharing...even though I made you very unhappy today...