The Gentle Drones of the Hive: A Father’s Day Tribute

Jun 11
5 min read

Hey Honey Fans!

As Father's Day rolls around, most folks think of cookouts, neckties, or handmade cards scrawled with crayon love. But here at Fingerlakes Honey Company, we’ve got our minds on something a little different: drone bees.

Yes, you read that right, drones. The unsung male bees of the hive, often misunderstood, sometimes underestimated, but fascinating nonetheless. So grab a cup of tea (maybe something sweetened with our honey), and let’s take a moment to honor both the dads in our lives and the drones in our hives.

What’s the Buzz About Drone Bees?

In the world of honeybees, drones are the male bees, and their role is uniquely specialized. Unlike worker bees (who are all female and do, well… everything), drones have one primary job: to mate with a queen from another hive and pass along strong genetic traits. It’s a short but crucial mission in the grand cycle of bee life.

They don’t collect nectar, make honey, or sting. In fact, they’re the only bees in the hive without a stinger. Drones are fed and cared for by the worker bees, living life a bit like royalty—but their time is limited, and by the end of summer, the hive gives them the boot.

Sound harsh? Maybe. But it’s a bee-utiful reminder of nature’s balance and the importance of every role, no matter how brief or specialized.

Fascinating Facts About Drone Bees

Drones are male honey bees, larger than workers, with noticeably bigger eyes to help them locate queens during mating flights.
Their primary role is to mate with a virgin queen in midair; however, only about 10 to 20 drones actually get the chance each season.
Drones die immediately after mating.
They cannot sting and do not participate in hive defense, foraging, or maintenance tasks.
Adult drones depend entirely on nurse worker bees for feeding and care.
Drones develop from unfertilized eggs, making them haploid—they have no father but do have a grandfather.
It takes approximately 24 days for a drone to develop from egg to adult.
Their lifespan typically ranges from a few weeks up to around 30–55 days, depending on conditions.
At the end of summer or during hard times, drones are often the first to be expelled from the hive to conserve resources.
Despite their short lives and specialized role, drones are essential to the genetic diversity and long-term health of honey bee colonies.

Even though it seems like drones don't do very much, they are vital to the survival of the honey bee colony. Drones fulfill the specific purpose assigned to them in creation, making them an essential component of the honeybee colony’s survival. Moreover, ongoing scientific studies continue to reveal new insights into the important and sometimes unexpected roles drones play within the hive.

A Sweet Connection: Drones and Dads

Now, let’s bring it back to Father’s Day.

While human dads hopefully stick around longer than a summer season (and aren't forcibly evicted from the kitchen), there’s a sweet similarity between drone bees and many of the father figures in our lives: they’re part of something bigger. Whether it’s providing strength, support, protection, or simply passing down wisdom and good genes (and possibly a stubborn chin), dads play a vital role in the hive of life.

And like drones, they often work behind the scenes- quiet, steady, and essential.

Honoring Our Dads and Drone Bees with Fingerlakes Honey Company Products

This Father’s Day, celebrate the dads in your life—those steady, dependable “drone” figures who, like the male bees in a hive, play an essential role in keeping the family thriving. Here are some sweet ways to show appreciation using Fingerlakes Honey Company products:

A Taste of Strength: Gift a jar of our 100% raw honey, a versatile favorite perfect for stirring into morning coffee, glazing grilled meats, or just enjoying straight from the spoon. It’s a simple, natural way to add a little sweetness to Dad’s day. Perhaps your dad is a Gen Xer. We offer a unique Gen X Honey Label just to celebrate because nothing says 'I love you' like mixtapes, sarcasm, and a side of honey. Gnarly, dude!

Signature Honey Jams & Jellies: Treat Dad to our handcrafted jams and jellies, like Honey Jalapeño Peach or Honey Blackberry, jam-packed with flavor and just the right hint of spice and sweetness to match his personality. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or adding a kick to sandwiches.

Grillmaster Snackers: Perhaps Dad fancies himself the King of the Grill, loves a snack while watching the game, or even tailgates with style. Our selection of handcrafted seasoning blends and dip mixes are right up his alley. Spice up his grilling game with our herb rubs, or mix up a savory dip perfect for chips, veggies, or wings. Add a jar of our honey for basting or blending into marinades, and you’ve got a gift set fit for the backyard throne.

Adopt a Drone (or Hive): Give a unique gift this Father’s Day by adopting a drone bee or an entire hive in Dad’s name. It’s a meaningful way to support bee conservation, honor the vital role drones play in the hive, and connect him with the buzz of nature.

Gear Up Dad with Fingerlakes Honey Company Merch: Looking for a gift that’s as cool as Dad? Our Fingerlakes Honey Company merch has got him covered — from stylish tees and cozy hats to mugs that definitely stand out in his collection. Whether he’s rocking the “Bee Dad” look at the grill or sipping his morning coffee with a smile, our gear lets him show off his hive pride all year long. Perfect for dads who love honey, humor, and a little bit of buzz!

Custom Gift Sets: Build a personalized gift set with Dad’s favorites- honey, jams, teas, and herb blends. Add gift wrapping and a card that celebrates his “drone-like” dedication: steady, essential, and quietly heroic.

Dad’s Honey-Infused Feast: Planning a Father’s Day meal? Incorporate honey throughout the menu, from marinade to salad dressing, to bring out bold, balanced flavors. Need inspiration? Check out our delicious recipes made with Fingerlakes Honey Company products for a meal Dad will savor.

A Toast to Our Gentle Giants

So this Father’s Day, while you're giving thanks to the dads, grandpas, uncles, and mentors who’ve shaped your world, send a little mental high-five to the drone bees too. They may not make honey, but they help keep the hive humming.

Still buzzing about what to get Dad? Let’s face it, he probably doesn’t need another tie or another screwdriver. But a gift with real flavor? Now that’s something to drone on about. Whether he’s the king of the grill or just here for the snacks, we’ve got goodies that’ll earn you favorite child status (even if you already were). Happy Father’s Day to all the dads- strong, steady, and thankfully not expected to make honey.

Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Fingerlakes Honey Company, where the bees (and the dads) are always worth celebrating. 🐝💛 And Happy Father's Day to our favorite dad and beekeeper!! We love you, Tom!

We'd love to know how you celebrate your "Drone Bee Dad". Let us know in the comments below.

Until Next Time- Stay Sweet!

Tom and Stacie

Tom and Stacie, are co-owners of Fingerlakes Honey Company located in the bee-utiful Fingerlakes region of New York State. When they are not tending to all things bees, they enjoy spending time with their grown children, their dog, and lots of chickens on their homestead. They love learning more about the bees they foster and helping others to learn more about them as well.