What inspired you to start beekeeping, and how long have you been doing it?
I’ve only been learning beekeeping for a few months. Earlier this year, I bought a small hobby farm with a simple dream—to turn it into a place filled with lavender and blueberries, where bees drift between blooms and the air carries that faint, warm sweetness of honey. Before I move there, I decided to start small in my backyard, keeping a few hives so I could learn how to care for them properly. What began as a practical decision quickly became something much more meaningful. Beekeeping has given me a sense of peace, purpose and connection to nature that I didn’t expect—but now can’t live without.
What do you think is the biggest public misunderstanding about bees and swarms?
I think the biggest misunderstanding is the belief that bees are aggressive and want to attack people. In reality, bees are naturally gentle. They only sting when they feel threatened or when they’re protecting their hive. A swarm, especially, has nothing to defend—so it’s usually at its calmest. Another misconception is that a swarm means something is wrong or dangerous. To be honest, swarming is simply how bees reproduce and start new colonies. It’s a natural, healthy part of their life cycle, not an emergency. Once people understand these things, they often feel relieved. I’ve seen so many homeowners go from fear to fascination in just a few minutes, simply because someone took the time to explain what the bees are really doing.
Are you looking to expand your hives or develop the farm into a small-scale agricultural project over time?
I do plan to expand, but slowly. I want to make sure the bees always have enough forage and a healthy environment, so growth will be gradual and thoughtful rather than fast. As for agriculture, I’m a complete beginner. I don’t have a concrete plan yet, but I’m open to learning. Maybe over time I’ll explore small-scale projects on the farm—nothing too big, just simple things that allow me to experience the joy of watching life grow. For now, I’m taking it one step at a time. The bees will be the first chapter, and the rest will unfold naturally.
How does it feel knowing that this hobby helps both the environment and local residents?
It feels like one of the most meaningful parts of my life. I’ve been in Australia for five years, and during that time I’ve been trying hard to improve my English. But I didn’t have many opportunities to connect with my local community. That changed when I started helping residents with swarm removals. Even though my English isn’t perfect, people trust me. They believe I’m doing the right thing—for the bees and for them. And that feeling of being needed, of being able to help, means a lot to me. Beekeeping gives me so much joy, and helping others gives me a sense of purpose.
It’s like both parts grew together, and now they’ve become a very special chapter of my life.
