jen,
i think sometimes folks are fooled into thinking bees are set and forget? when they realize honey bees do need some attention panic sets in because either there has been no direction, or perhaps they thought keeping bees was going to be easy, and also have not educated themselves or sought some education/direction from an experienced keep from the get go. too many think you take a box of bees and set it out in your garden and all is good, not knowing and not educating one's self. there seems to be a lot of this going around. good intentions but not willing to figure out the science and passion of keeping bees. i think most of us have a passion, cuz we are not in it for money .........
also, those who are telling these folks "
as long as you have bees coming and going.. everything is just fine." ? who are these people? they surely are not beekeepers. it is unfortunate.
i have helped many and mentored many and have fielded questions from those interested in keeping bees. like bakers said, beehavers and beekeepers.
lot's of funny stories on this; some sad, and sometimes best that the person not keep bees.......
honey bees are an amazing social insect.
and to what lee said, very true......