Exactly. It's just like teaching kids about all the other large and small
dangers of the world. During the short time the clover is in bloom, they
should wear sandals and/or watch were they are stepping. It's an excellent
opportunity to teach them about what bees do, and why they are so important
in the grand scheme of things.

A lot of people have an almost irrational fear of bees and wasps, yet they
will unhesitatingly drive on the freeway and engage in other everyday risky
behaviors. I love to amaze the neighborhood kids by gently "petting"
bumblebees (a warm day, a good nectar/pollen source, and a gently touch, and
the bees will ignore you) and teaching them how to peacefully co-exist with
these creatures. If you don't panic and flail around, the bees and wasps
generally would prefer to leave you alone as well.

If you inadvertently disturb a yellowjacket nest, it can be a bit
problematic, I admit. If you are allergic to the venom, you have a
legitimate cause for concern, of course, but otherwise, what's the big deal?
I have loads of flowering plants, and rotting fallen fruit in the fall, and
I get stung perhaps once a summer, if that. It hurts for a bit, then it
goes away.

Sue

--



"philosopher" wrote in message
...
We have clover and bees and three kids and all co-exist peacefully. The
kids just needed to learn how to behave around them.

philosopher