Enneahive Eight

Only 2 more weeks in our Enneahive Summer series. Where has this summer gone? I’m soaking up the last few weeks of summer wildflowers and so are my bees.

Today we’re looking at how the hive is an Enneagram 8-the Challenger. The type 8 is very protective, strong assertive and full of energy.

If you have ever been stung by a bee you know all too well how assertive they can become when they feel threatened. One of the jobs a worker bee might have is actually guard bee. They keep watch over the hive letting intruders know they are not welcome. I’ve seen my small bees take on a huge wasp who is trying to gain entrance and it’s fascinating watching her charge the invader with complete confidence and boldness and drive them away.

Bee venom is made up of several proteins that each play a part in causing the victim pain, inflammation and itching. The bees stinger is barbed, kind of like a lightning bolt, so that when it goes into the skin it doesn’t come out easily, making it even more potent. This is why the bee dies after she stings, because the stinger is pulled apart from her. Anyone else get a little shiver thinking about all of that?

Stings are definitely not my favorite part of beekeeping. However, a hive contains many precious resources, not to mention the queen bee, without which the hive would die. Protecting those resources and her majesty is one of the most important priorities for the hive.