Matt and Allison Davis’ journey to becoming live honeybee removal specialists and purveyors of local honey began through an unexpected twist of fate in 2015. While working at freeFall Theatre—Matt, as a master carpenter, and Allison, as a scenic painter—the duo discovered their new destiny.
“We discovered a colony of bees in the shop's wall that was slated for extermination. Matt conducted some research and managed to persuade the maintenance team to let us try and get them out alive. Neither of us had any experience in this world, but with some research we ended up setting up our very first trap out,” Allison recalls. “The operation was a success. Thus, we had our first colony of bees. Something we never would have thought we would have.”
This also started them on a transformative path that included training and expert guidance.
“We had mentors along the way. It requires know-how and knowledge. We were totally green to beekeeping when we started. This was not a family business that had been passed down, nor was it something we had ever anticipated doing. Commitment to these creatures is a necessity. You need to know what you are getting into, learn about the inner workings of the hive and best practices,” she explains. “We ended up creating the business in 2016, as a side project mostly, which grew more than we could have ever imagined. People found out and started referring us for removals. Since then, beekeeping and bee rescue have become our passion and life's work—involving not just us as a couple, but our entire family.”
Over time, they built their niche service into a licensed and insured, humane and eco-friendly apiculture business that prioritizes environmental stewardship by “rescuing” bee colonies and relocating them to produce ethically sourced honey.
“Many people grew up on grocery store honey, so tasting the real thing always comes as such a surprise to them. We have had people tell us our honey is the best they have ever had,” Allison asserts. “But the bees really deserve the credit though!”
Which makes their calling as “bee rescuers” even sweeter.
“Our mission is to offer a safe, affordable alternative to extermination, ensuring the preservation of these magnificent creatures,” Allison shares. “The bees we save are transferred to our apiaries in St. Petersburg and the surrounding Pinellas and Manatee County areas. We tend to our bees without chemicals or pesticides, opting for natural products to maintain their safety, health and prosperity.”
They caution that operating a small business is not for the faint of heart.
“Building everything from the ground up with basically just the two of us means that at times we are stretched thin doing everything,” she admits. “We wear multiple hats. And you will always be working out the kinks, but the reward in all of it is so worth it. Thankfully, over the years, we have had so many friends and family members willing to jump in and help. We are so very grateful to have a good circle.”
The pair say that circle and the larger community are at the core of everything they do and what helped them overcome the biggest challenge they have faced to date.
“The storm surge from Hurricane Helene flooded the apiary in a devastating way, causing much of our equipment to be lost or unsalvageable,” Allison recalls. “We lost half of our hives. We thank everyone who donated and offered helping hands.”
So, when Richard Marquette, an 84-year-old Citrus County beekeeper, was threatened with losing his livelihood last year when a neighbor removed his 20 active beehives from his property due to a misunderstanding over property lines, Matt and Allison volunteered to assist in securing the return of most of the hives and spent more than eight hours retrieving them, driving them to Citrus County, setting them up and ensuring they made it safely back to Marquette.
“What a crazy situation that was,” Allison offers. “The initial intention was to have all of our beekeeping community come together to donate bees and equipment to help get him back on his feet. We were not prepared for what happened next. We ended up receiving a phone call from an employee of the party that was involved in the removal of the gentleman’s bees. I think they were feeling the pressure from the community and wanted to bring this to an end,” she adds. “It really seemed like fate that out of all people, he called us. Needless to say, we were able to help recover the majority of the bees, in what felt like some crazy sting operation (no pun intended). We couldn’t just stand by and do nothing knowing someone in our beekeeping community was in need. We are better together, right?”
Beyond their business goals and community connections, the husband-and-wife team provide education on honeybees.
“Knowledge is power when it comes to the bees,” Allison explains. “I personally love being able to get out into the community. We delight in encountering new people who share our enthusiasm for bees. What better way to spend your time than doing something you love, all while supporting your family?”
They also recognize the lasting impact their work may potentially have on their own children’s lives.
“Our kids are involved in various ways,” Allison shares. “Best of all, this is something we built…a legacy that we are hopefully creating for the next generations of our family. Clearly it was meant to be, and we are so thankful for the journey the bees have taken us on. Being able to do what we do is a blessing.”
Visit noblenectarapiaries.com to learn more.
