The Result

It’s time for an update on how my bee sting sensitization “experiment” has gone. First of all, I have to say that my left elbow feels better now. That is an improvement in my opinion. On the other hand, the back of my left hand is now more sensitive and I feel some numbness in it from time to time right along the bone that goes up to the middle finger.

I have had no general or systemic responses to my stings, but locally it has become more painful even though the swelling is not as bad and does not last as long and recovery seems to be quick. I have to say that the pain is no less, and if anything, is now greater when I get a sting in the back of my hand. Overall, I would call this a “long term experiment” so the final verdict is not in yet. I am no longer getting stings every day or more stings per day, but now just getting a sting every once in a while.

As far as my colonies of native Japanese honey bees go, I found out this past week that my last hive of native bees has also absconded because of the heat, even though I had it in a shaded location. I now have no more bees at the university. That is disappointing, but I did all I could with the resources I have available. I will have to think long and hard to see if I can come up with some solution that will work better than what I tried.

The native bees in the yard of my friend, Teruo Shiki, are still there, and are a booming colony full of bees and stores. I believe he will get a good honey crop next month, and his bees appear to be going to stay.

The western honey bees are doing fine, continuing to maintain their colony size and gradually adding stores, although slowly. We did get some good rain this week finally and overall the weather is now slightly cooler. The rain was heavy and deep and was over a span of two or three days, so fall blooming plants like goldenrod and others should have a good bloom later in September and possibly into October. I am optimistic.

I will be leaving Sunday for a two week trip to the U.S. to work with a commercial beekeeper in Arizona. I will report the results of that trip after I return.