Our First Honey Harvest in Wendell, North Carolina

A Sticky (and Sweet) Start for Bad Attitude Bees

This Spring, our small family business — Bad Attitude Bees — celebrated its very first honey

harvest right here in Wendell, North Carolina!

In our part of central North Carolina, the nectar flow usually ends around the last week of May, which means it’s time to harvest soon after. During the first week of June, we pulled honey from all 12 of our hives, each one buzzing with activity and a little annoyed we were taking their hard-earned crop (hence the name Bad Attitude Bees).

When we tallied everything up, our bees had produced nearly 350 pounds of raw North Carolina wildflower honey. Each drop reflects tens of thousands of foraging trips across an average of a 6-mile radius — proof of just how hardworking our colonies are.

One hive in particular took us by surprise. It produced so much honey that I actually needed a step ladder just to reach the top box! That super-strong colony reminded us of another reason why we love beekeeping — every hive has its own personality, and every harvest tells a story.

Bad Attitude Bees' wildflower honey

Of course, we also discovered an unspoken truth of honey extraction: no matter how careful you are, your entire kitchen will end up sticky. From countertops to doorknobs, honey has a mind of its own. But when you see that golden stream pouring out of the extractor, it’s worth every bit of cleanup.

We’re incredibly proud of what our bees accomplished this season and thrilled to share our local raw honey with the Wendell community and beyond. Every jar captures a little taste of North Carolina’s natural sweetness — straight from our hives to your home.

Stay tuned for more updates. Whether you’re a fellow beekeeper, honey lover, or just curious about where your food comes from, we’re glad you’re part of the Bad Attitude Bees family.