Sting #2 Jaw
The other day a bee got stuck in my hair. I wasn't super close to the hive so I had taken off my veil. Now when I say the bee was stuck, I mean it. The poor little insect couldn't find its way out. I tried to help her out, but she was trapped  and being attacked by my hair. The little bee did not like that and that is why I got stung. Luckily my friend was nearby to help me get the stinger out of my face. That sting nailed me right on the jaw and for a moment it hurt. 

Sting #5 Top of my Head
So just like any other day I am getting ready to start working with my bees and as I am putting my veil on, a bee flies into my hair. I am trying once again to save a bee from my attacking hair, thinking that I am bound to be stung again. Then it happens on the top of my head. Again, I had a friend nearby to help me remove the stinger out of my hair. He mentioned that bees don't like perfume or smelly shampoos. I told him I use a natural shampoo made of tea tree. He smiled and told me that was my problem. Tea Tree oil may be good for your scalp, but not if your a beekeeper. Bees are attracted to the smell. That explained why the bees were targeting my hair. I have learned my lesson if you don't want bees in your hair stop luring them there. Oh, I also changed shampoo.

Occasionally you may see photos of me working with my bees without safety gear. Most beekeepers wear a veil and jacket to keep from getting stung. But I believe the best thing to keep you safe is knowing what to expect. 

1. Know your bees. Are they aggressive (and may charge you) or calm? Africanized bees are known to charge from more than 20 feet away some beekeepers need to be dressed in their gear before they arrive to the bee yard.
2. Think about the weather or season. If it has been rainy for the past week they may be temperamental.
3. Will you be working with a small hive or a larger hive. 10,000 bees may seem like a lot, but 80,000 bees flying around your head may mean you need to wear a full suit (veil, jacket, long pants, and gloves).
4. Are you doing a short check (looking at the top most frames) or are you checking all the frames? If you are just lifting the roof you may not need to smoke your bees as much as a full hive check.
5. Is it a super hot day? I know when I am sweaty or sticky I can get a little cranky. It is important for me to be gentle and calm. If I am not calm with my bees they will notice and guard their hive if they think I may hurt them. (I also need to remember to stay hydrated so I can stay healthy on those hot days. I always keep some water in my car if I need it.)
6. Sometimes you will get stung. You might hurt a bee when you set down a frame or push them a little to far. It happens. As a beekeeper you must expect that you will get stung. Some beekeepers are allergic to bee stings and must carry an Epi-Pen (a shot that goes into your leg) to prevent them from having a dangerous allergic reaction. Other beekeepers bring topical antihistamines to calm any swelling. Other may need to take medication to stop a mild allergic reaction. It is important to know how you react to a bee sting to keep yourself safe.

The more you know about what to expect the better prepared you can bee to work with bees. I know that some days I am fine without gloves and a Jacket but there may be other days that I need them. I am not more brave than my beekeeper friends wearing full suits, but I do think that this year I have been blessed with a calmer colony of bees. I am always prepared and have water, gloves, a jacket, veil and allergy medication on hand just in case.

Yesterday I was walking back to my car after working with the bees and one got stuck in my hair. I tried my best to help her out while staying calm, but I got stung anyway. I am sure if I got lost in a head of hair I would be scared, frustrated, and ready to sting whatever was trapping me. I am not mad, but a little sad for that little stuck bee. As soon as I was stung, a friend helped me pull the stinger out. Because it was pulled out so fast, It wasn't as painful as my last sting.