Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Today’s rescue was a bit of a tabletop mission, but it sparked a really important conversation about something you might have seen on social media: the “Texas Bee Lady” style of beekeeping.

While we all love watching those calm, suit-less rescues on Instagram, doing that in South Africa is a different story entirely. Here’s why we do things a little differently at the Bee Sanctuary.

The Tabletop Lift

We were called out to relocate a colony that had attached itself to the underside of a tabletop.

• The Strategy: We had to lift the tabletop straight up and move it slowly to avoid knocking the comb loose.
• The Reality Check: As soon as we lifted it, a large cluster of bees dropped. When that happens, the bees immediately start “tagging” you—they smell the alarm pheromones and head straight for the intruder.
• The Sting: Even though they seemed “chilled” at first, a few bees found their mark. It’s a reminder that even a docile colony can flip a switch the second a piece of comb falls.

Why “Texas Style” Doesn’t Work in SA

Many people see beekeepers in the US scooping up bees with their bare hands and think, “Hey, I can do that!” But there is a massive biological difference between American bees and ours.

1. The “Killer Bee” Legacy: In America, our local bees (Apis mellifera scutellata) are actually known as “Killer Bees.” They were introduced to the Americas in the ’70s and have a reputation for being far more aggressive and protective of their nests than the European strains found in the Northern US.
2. The Disclaimer: We love the message that bees aren’t the enemy, but you cannot treat a South African hive like a Texas hive. Without a suit and proper smoke, you are asking for a “hospital-grade” surprise.
3. The African Honey Bee: Our girls are fast, reactive, and highly coordinated. One dropped piece of comb is all it takes to turn a “calm” rescue into a full-scale defensive flight.

Technical Insights: Pollen, Honey, and Wires

During the extraction, we noticed this was a relatively new swarm.

• Pollen vs. Honey: The comb was packed with pollen (larvae food) rather than honey (energy food). A new colony focuses on building the “nursery” first before they start stockpiling surplus honey.
• The Frame Mount: We use a thin cut in the comb to slide the frame wires through. This centers the comb perfectly so the bees don’t start “cross-building” (joining two frames together), which makes future inspections a nightmare.
• The “Think Pink” Trick: Once a removal is done, we recommend filling the old cavity with ceiling insulation. Bees have an incredible sense of smell and will be attracted to the “scent” of the old nest for years. Filling the space with insulation tells them the “hotel” is full, and they’ll move on.

Mission Accomplished

We safely clipped the Queen (just in case!) and moved the colony into their new box. They’re now headed to a place where they can build all the comb they want—without a tabletop in the way.

Want to see how we handle more “spicy” South African rescues?

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Quick Question: Have you ever been tempted to try a “bare-handed” bee rescue after watching videos online? Let us know your thoughts on the “Texas style” in the comments!