Theresa J. Martin shares her experiences as a solo beekeeper in the first installment of a three-part series published in Bee Culture Magazine. She manages 20-25 colonies alone in Kentucky and highlights the advantages of independence alongside practical advice on safety measures and efficient tools. The article underscores the physical and mental demands of the hobby while promoting self-sufficiency.
Theresa J. Martin, a beekeeper in Kentucky with eight years of experience, describes her preference for working alone in an article published on February 27, 2026, in Bee Culture Magazine. Standing at 5-foot 1-inch and weighing 110 pounds, she maintains 20-25 colonies, achieving 99% survival rates and honey production twice the local average. "I am a solo beekeeper by choice," she writes, noting that she enjoys the solitude, challenge, and personal accountability for successes and failures, despite offers of help from others.
The piece, the first in a three-part series, explores the pros and cons of solo beekeeping. Advantages include avoiding negotiations, embracing quiet in nature, and the physical benefits of lifting heavy boxes, which build muscle more enjoyably than gym workouts. Mentally, it involves problem-solving hive manipulations and studying fields like bee biology, ecology, and pathology. Drawbacks involve higher risks and longer task times, though solo practitioners become more safety-conscious and self-reliant.
Tip one focuses on safety. Martin recommends carrying a charged cell phone, especially in remote areas, and using satellite-based emergency SOS features on newer devices. She advocates for protective gear like a veil, proper smoker use, calm movements during inspections, monitoring fatigue to avoid errors, and carrying an EpiPen for potential anaphylactic shock. For nighttime work, such as securing hives before moves, a headlamp and backup flashlights are essential, along with informing loved ones of plans.
Tip two addresses tools for efficiency. Martin uses a tool belt holding two hive tools for prying boxes, a J-hook for lifting frames, a queen-marking pen, lighter, and bee brush. She modified her smoker with a hook for belt attachment to prevent misplacement. Additionally, she relies on BroodMinder T2SM temperature sensors to assess queen status and brood nest location, and a hanging scale to weigh hives for winter readiness or honey extraction. These adaptations minimize hive disruption and save time across multiple inspections.
The series will continue with topics like lifting techniques, inspection efficiency, documentation, swarm catching, honey processing, combining colonies, and hive relocation. Martin, author of 'Dead Bees Don’t Make Honey: 10 Tips for Healthy Productive Bees,' emphasizes that solo beekeeping suits those comfortable working independently, offering joy and fulfillment.
