5 Things I Didn’t Expect When We Started Beekeeping

When we decided to add bees to our little homestead, I imagined honey-drizzled everything, happy buzzing in the garden, and the satisfying hum of self-sufficiency. And sure—there have been magical moments. But also? Beekeeping surprised me in ways I never expected—some hilarious, some messy… and some that honestly broke my heart a little.

Here are 5 things I didn’t see coming when we became beekeepers.

1. They Have Opinions. Loud Ones.

I figured bees just… buzzed. Turns out, they have moods. They’ll let you know when the weather’s off, when there’s a skunk at the fence, or when you dared to open the hive a second too long. They are tiny, winged critics—and they don’t hold back.

2. You Get Attached—Like, Really Attached

I did not expect to get emotionally invested in a box full of insects. But here we are. I talk to “the girls” like old friends, check on them obsessively, and feel irrationally proud when I see them returning with pollen. They’re part of our homestead crew now—and I care about them way more than I thought I would.

3. It Can Be Absolutely Heartbreaking

This one hit me the hardest. You will experience losses. Even if you do everything “right.” Maybe they swarmed and didn’t return. Maybe a hive just slowly faded. Sometimes you’ll never know what went wrong—and that makes it even harder. Losing a hive—especially one you nurtured through a rough season—hurts more than I ever expected. It’s not just a setback; it’s grief. You feel it in your chest. And yet… somehow, you keep going.

4. Honey Harvest = Sticky Chaos (But Worth It)

I had visions of us serenely spinning honey in a sunlit room. Reality? It’s sticky, chaotic, and vaguely resembles a crime scene (if the weapon was honey). But the moment you hold up your first golden jar, you forget all the mess. It's pure, sweet magic.

5. You’ll Never See Flowers the Same Way Again

Once you keep bees, every bloom becomes a potential buffet. You start planting with them in mind, noticing what’s blooming when, and even getting a little territorial about your dandelions. Watching your bees explore the flowers you planted just for them? Honestly, it never gets old.

Final Buzz 

Beekeeping is a wild, wonderful mix of wonder and heartbreak. You learn a lot—not just about bees, but about life, patience, and letting go. The joy is real, but so is the loss.

And somehow, even after a rough season, we always find ourselves suiting up again—hopeful, heart-forward, and ready to try again.

Thinking about starting your own bee adventure? Have questions or want to share your own bee heartbreaks and victories? I’d love to hear them—drop a comment or come say hi over on Instagram.