Afraid of bees? This one is for you.

Alright, allow me to be a bit candid here. Before I became a beekeeper, I wasn't very fond of bees at all, and my introduction to beekeeping is what I would call a, "happy accident." I can write about this more at a future date, but for now, I want to address the issue about the fear of bees, or more specifically, your fear of bees.

Unarguably, bees are essential pollinators for a variety of plants and crops, but for some people, the thought of being near a bee can be terrifying. This fear, known as apiphobia, can range from mild discomfort to severe anxiety and avoidance. Lets explore the causes of apiphobia and ways to overcome this fear.

One common cause of apiphobia is a past negative experience with bees, such as being stung. Even if the sting was minor, the memory of the experience can be enough to trigger a fear response in the future.

It's important to recognize that BEES ARE NOT GENERALLY AGGRESSIVE AND ONLY STING AS A LAST RESORT FOR SELF-DEFENSE! Now sure, there are varieties of honeybees which get such a bad rap in the media such as the African honey bee (Apis mellifera scutellata) AKA the Africanized "killer" bee, but from personal experience from various bee removals and actually having a hive of "killer" bees for a while when I first started beekeeping, these bees do not *generally* go to look for targets to sting as the media may portray. However, if you are allergic to bee stings, it's important to take extra precautions and seek medical attention if you do get stung.

If you suffer from apiphobia, there are several steps you can take to overcome your fear:

1. Educate yourself about bees: Understanding how bees behave and the role they play in the environment can help reduce your fear. You being here already gets this first item checked off, so welcome!

2. Gradually expose yourself to bees: Start by looking at pictures or videos of bees, then gradually work up to being near live bees. You can do this by visiting a bee sanctuary or hiring a professional beekeeper for a guided tour.

3. Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization can all help reduce anxiety in the presence of bees. Also, speaking from personal experience, when you're scared, the bees get scared, and when the bees get scared, the hive gets agitated. Don't do that. 

4. Seek professional help: If your fear is severe or is causing significant distress in your life, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for phobias.

Remember, it's normal to feel some fear when faced with something that poses a potential threat. However, it's important to recognize when that fear becomes excessive and interferes with your daily life. With patience and effort, it is possible to overcome apiphobia and learn to coexist peacefully with these important insects.

That's all I have for you guys today. Watch out for when I fly in again, and you have a BEE-autiful day!