I live in the Pacific Northwest, and right now the seasons are changing. Winter is a time of short days, long nights, and steady cold rain. But in the spring, the rains ease off and the days begin to warm. This is the time of year when I can sit outside, watch the chickens wander like they own the place, and take in the deer, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and flocks of birds that share the property with me. This year, I decided to add one more group to the mix—I’ve reintroduced a hive of bees.

Kyle holding a frame with thousands of bees on it.

The modern honeybee traces its ancestry back to Western Asia and the Middle East, eventually spreading into Africa and Europe. Humans noticed pretty quickly that honey is both delicious and doesn’t spoil, so we’ve been keeping bees for at least nine thousand years. Archaeologists have even found honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that’s still safe to eat. I do wonder how they confirmed that. Did someone volunteer, or did the intern draw the short straw? Some mysteries just aren’t meant to be solved.

I’ve kept bees before but stepped away during COVID and never restarted. However, earlier this spring, I dragged my equipment out of the barn, cleaned everything up, and built new frames. Then I ordered a five-frame nucleus, called a “nuc,” from the local bee supply shop. Yes, that’s a real thing. The nuc comes with a mated, laying queen, a workforce of busy bees, and frames already stocked with honey and pollen. It’s basically a tiny, fully operational bee queendom in a box.

There’s nothing quite like driving home with up to 10,000 bees riding in the backseat. It definitely adds a little focus to your driving. And yes, a few usually get out, but bees aren’t nearly as aggressive as their reputation suggests. Leave them alone, and they’ll usually return the favor. Honestly, they get blamed for the bad behavior of hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets, which is a bit like blaming golden retrievers for wolves.

In the pictures, you can see me installing the nuc on the farm. My very brave wife took the pictures and didn’t wear a protective suit.

The Buzz of the Bees