Those buzzing, itty bitty yellow and black insects are nothing to be afraid of — at least that’s what Henry County Beekeepers Association President Tom Bonnell thinks.

The nonprofit organization began three years ago with the sole mission of beekeeping interests.

“The Henry County Beekeepers organization is dedicated to promoting the interests of beekeeping by serving its members and the community through education, knowledge and resource sharing,” Bonnell said.

Meeting topics vary from month to month, but some subjects covered this year alone include swarm prevention and extracting honey as well as hive frame and foundation assembly.

“The monthly meetings are based upon information the beekeeper needs to know about the honeybee for that time period,” said Bonnell. “Guest speakers have been brought in from as far away as Tennessee and Ohio.”

A total of 10 regular meetings are held within each calendar year as well as one annual picnic and Christmas party.

The picnic doubles as an informational activity.

“The annual picnic is an educational event where we give beekeepers a chance to visit bee hives along with a veteran beekeeper and get their honeybee questions answered,” Bonnell said.

Additional beekeeping courses are held in the months of February and October, during which new members and beekeepers can learn the basics.

Beekeeping is “a great family hobby that could be turned into a family heirloom to be passed along for generations,” Bonnell said.

Membership in the organization is robust with 115 member families, according to Bonnell.

New faces are encouraged.

“Guests and visitors are always welcome to attend the meeting,” said Bonnell.

Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Public Safety Building community room, 116 Zack Hinton Parkway in McDonough.

The organization’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12.

Information: www.henry countybeekeepers.com.