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After going viral with her TikTok beekeeping videos, Erika Thompson is defending herself after some have alleged she is a ‘fake beekeeper.’
Thompson’s TikTok video where she was seen scooping a ‘queenless bee swarm’ under an umbrella garnered over 23 million views.
However, another bee rescue claimed Erika’s actions were dangerous and claimed she was not, in fact, rescuing the bees, which she responded to in a new Instagram post.
Not fake: After going viral with her TikTok beekeeping videos, Erika Thompson is defending herself after some have alleged she is a ‘fake beekeeper’
Viral: Thompson’s TikTok video where she was seen scooping a ‘queenless bee swarm’ under an umbrella garnered over 23 million views
While the videos making the allegations were ultimately deleted, Thompson, under her verified Texas Bee Works Instagram, addressed them.
‘Recently, a series of untrue and hurtful attacks was made about me and my work,’ Thompson began.
‘Then, journalists chose to support and reward this online harassment by perpetuating a false narrative without taking time to check the facts,’ she added.
Addressed: While the videos making the allegations were ultimately deleted, Thompson, under her verified Texas Bee Works Instagram, addressed them
Journalists: ‘Then, journalists chose to support and reward this online harassment by perpetuating a false narrative without taking time to check the facts,’ she added
‘It’s a sad day when people see a woman doing something that’s so outside of the norm, they assume there’s no way she can actually be doing those things, and if she is, she must be getting help from a man, Thompson continued.
She went on to thank, ‘the mass of experienced beekeepers, leaders of the beekeeping community, and all of the beekeeping associations who were quick to come to my defense.
Thompson also thanked Vice journalist Drew Schwartz, ‘who took the time to check the facts before supporting online harassment.’
Sad day: ‘It’s a sad day when people see a woman doing something that’s so outside of the norm, they assume there’s no way she can actually be doing those things, and if she is, she must be getting help from a man, Thompson continued
‘As a professional beekeeper, it’s my mission and my purpose to help people understand and appreciate the work of bees and beekeepers, and I’d really like to get back to doing that now,’ Thompson continued.
She went on to tell her 585K followers, ‘If you see a swarm or hive of bees that needs to be removed, don’t call an exterminator, call an experienced beekeeper to relocate the colony.
‘Experienced beekeepers are the only ones who should be handling bees in these situations, because sometimes… bees need a helping hand,’ she concluded.
Mission: ‘As a professional beekeeper, it’s my mission and my purpose to help people understand and appreciate the work of bees and beekeepers, and I’d really like to get back to doing that now,’ Thompson continued
Thanks: Thompson also thanked Vice journalist Drew Schwartz, ‘who took the time to check the facts before supporting online harassment’
Thompson has cultivated a strong social media following, with over 585K followers on Instagram and over 6.3 million on TikTok.
Her company, Texas Bee Works, is located in Austin, Texas, and she’s been interviewed on Good Morning America and by the Washington Post.
The company, ‘supports the health and wellness of honeybees by offering bee removal services, hive hosting opportunities for individuals and businesses, beekeeping classes and more,’ according to the official website.
Strong social: Thompson has cultivated a strong social media following, with over 585K followers on Instagram and over 6.3 million on TikTok
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