There’s no denying it: bees have a bad reputation. But is beekeeping dangerous, especially when practiced on rooftops or near people? While there are some risks associated with beekeeping, bees are far from being “sting-happy”—they’re often misunderstood. Bee stings are actually quite rare when hives are managed properly and respectfully.
Education plays a crucial role in our urban beekeeping program. With a better understanding, people typically develop respect and trust for our buzzing friends. When we visit urban beehives on office buildings, curious, reluctant onlookers quickly become enthusiastic amateur beekeepers.
So, to debunk the myth of the dangerous bee once and for all, let’s lay out the roadmap for safe, fun, and engaging urban beekeeping.
1. Understanding honey bees and bee stings
Let’s set something straight—honey bees aren’t particularly interested in humans. Let’s face it: their daily lives are already busy and purposeful. They’re on a mission to keep their colony alive and thriving by bringing in nectar, pollen, resin, or water. No pressure.
Unless they sense a threat or aggression, honey bees simply have no motivation to sting. In fact, they have every incentive not to, as once they sting, they lose their stingers, detach a part of their abdomens, and die.
Guard bees at the entrance of the hive act as sentinels, protecting their colony from potential intruders. They’re the first line of defense, but even they are unlikely to sting unless provoked.
Do bee stings hurt?
While the occasional sting can happen, bee venom typically causes only mild irritation in most people, and even has therapeutic uses in certain medical treatments.
Allergic reactions can occur, though these cases are rare and can often be managed with proper precautions. Some signs of a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting include swelling, difficulty breathing, and rapid heartbeat. It is advisable for individuals with a known allergy to bee stings to carry an epinephrine pen at all times.
2. Choosing the right partner
Beekeeping in the city brings additional responsibilities, especially if you’re maintaining the safety and quality of an office building. But with the right supplier, you can rely on a turnkey service with an experienced team, local infrastructure, adapted facilities, and all necessary insurance coverage, safety certifications, and adherence policies.
With that kind of expertise and support from an experienced beekeeper, you can rest easy. You have everything you need for things to go smoothly.
3. Choosing the right bees
Did you know honey bees come in all stripes and sizes? (Sorry, we couldn’t resist!). There are various varieties, some selected for their honey-producing capacity (especially in commercial honey production) and others for their docility.
The temperament of a hive can also be influenced by the genetics of the queen bee. The second type is what we choose for urban beekeeping.
For example, the Italian bee has a mild temperament, making it the perfect neighbor in densely populated urban areas.
In rare cases, genetics or environmental stressors can lead to an aggressive hive. However, with careful breeding and responsible hive management, this risk is easily minimized in urban settings. It’s important to understand the temperament of your bee species and adjust your approach accordingly to minimize the risk of stings.
Do urban beekeepers wear protective gear?
Beekeepers get stung, on average, about 58 times per year.
At Alvéole, we work with Italian bees, which are so gentle that most of our urban beekeepers wear little to no protective gear (not even a full bee suit). The worker bees go about their tasks without much concern for human presence!
4. Installing a hive safely
If you’re working with an experienced, trustworthy beekeeping partner, they’ll help you analyze key factors like orientation, traffic, visibility, site access, and exposure to the elements to find the best location for your bees.
They’ll also consider the stability of the ground and any uneven surfaces that could pose risks during hive inspections. After all, beekeepers risk injury or disturbing the bees if a hive is placed on an unstable surface. You can find out if your building is a suitable location for a bee yard by booking an assessment with one of our specialists today.
5. Keeping bees happy and healthy
Once the bees are all settled into their new environment, it’s your partner’s responsibility to make sure they’re kept safe, happy, healthy, and thriving – effectively eliminating any chances of aggression or stings.
At Alvéole, we don’t just keep our colonies in good shape. We train our beekeepers to teach and share their passion, as each of our packages includes essential educational workshops and team building activities.
That way, tenants not only learn that bees are gentle and safe but also feel engaged and empowered to spread the word about urban beekeeping. It’s a safe, fun, and enlightening experience that highlights the synchronicity and fragility of our entire ecosystem.
