Today we’d like to introduce you to Elisha Bixler.
Hi Elisha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always had a strong connection with nature. I spent most of my childhood outside playing and climbing trees. So when I came across someone selling small beehives, I immediately jumped on the opportunity. I started with two hives in our backyard and after a year, two hives turned into five hives. Shortly after that, I started getting calls from people needing bee removals. I was hooked!! I love the adrenaline rush and the feeling I get from rescuing and relocating honeybees from people’s trees and homes. I am now up to 85 colonies spread throughout Pinellas County and Palmetto.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There was a hard learning curve in the beginning. The beekeeping world felt very complex. I lost several beehives and had moments of wanting to quit. I didn’t let this drag me down. I decided to work harder and push through.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I offer a bee removal and relocation service for Pinellas and South Tampa. Once the honeybees have been removed, I take them to one of my apiaries, where I rehabilitate them. The removals can be quite stressful on a honeybees. Some colonies will need extra attention and can take years before making honey again. Once the bees are ready, I place them in backyards around our city, where they can pollinate and collect nectar. Our honey is found in small local shops around the Bay.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you want to help save the bees, start by leaving a small section of your yard untouched. Meaning, let the weeds grow! Honeybees love our native wildflowers that pop up around our yards. Sit back and let nature take its course and enjoy the beauty of your natural habitat.
Contact Info:
- Email: Howsyourdayhoney@gmail.com
- Website: Howsyourdayhoney.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/howsyourdayhoney?r=nametag
