Today I went to pick up two nucs of Russian bees. Riding out with my father I had on a light colored shirt with a purple LSU hat on didn’t think a whole lot of it. We first arrived at a location to meet up with the beek who was selling them to me. He told me we had to ride to a different yard. My Father and I followed him over to a yard with well over a hundred hives. We pulled right up along side the other guy’s truck. I got out and talked a bit with the guy and I had a few girls buzz me there, that should have tipped me off, but nooooo. Well, he got the first nuc transferred into my cardboard nuc box with out to much trouble I was about 30 feet or so away no problems. We got that taped up and secured. The 2nd hive was about 300 feet away so off he went I hung back about 50 feet away. Let me tell ya that wasn’t far enough as soon as he opened that hive two were buzzing around my head. ( Lesson Learned Always have on a Veil!!!!!, I did not) so it started with 2 stings I started walking away ( all literature says don’t run move slowly and with a purpose) about that time they started hitting me 5 more 10 more another 5. That’s when I gave up on the literature and started running like a school girl. I jumped in my truck with my father, who was just about to have a stroke from laughter he thought this was the funniest thing he had ever seen me do. Well finally, the buzzing died down around the truck and the guy was back with my nuc and I wanted to help him tape it up and pay the guy so I got back out bam ,bam, bam 3 more stings back in the truck I jumped to another bout of my fathers laughter. I had had enough I rolled down the window enough to tell the guy to meet me up at the front of the property. We drove about 500 meters or so I got out talking to the guy for a few mins and settling up, whatever. I pay the guy; he, my father, and I were talking and whamo two more on my nose. And they were buzzing all around me. Finally, I threw my hat on the ground and went to slapping. The old girls were on that hat like you wouldn’t believe stinging away. Only thing my father could say as he was climbing into my truck was those bees must be from USC or Ohio, because they sure hate LSU. Well I don’t know what it was about me but I ended up with 37 stings and a new appreciation for the honey bee for sure. The really strange thing was when it came time to install them into the new hives, not two hours later they calmly went on in to the new hives not a whole lot of flying around, NO stinging, nothing. But, of course, I did not have on that LSU hat, and I did have on a Veil.
You were covered with the attack pheromone.
So how are you now?
not too bad i still have some bumps but i didn't swell so i guess i'm pretty good considering. :-D
Well, at least you are protected from arthritis for a while.
A local professional beekeeper told me he and his friend like to get a few stings early in the season because it seems to protect them from swelling and itching throughout the season. Stings still hurt but no other side effects. Hope that is true for you-you earned it.
What does your poor nose look like?
Hey, I am a LSU fan.However it was probally because of the dark purple.I have been told white is the best color to wear around bees.
I have gotten several stings already this spring with swelling and itching.The actual sting didn't hardly hurt .
BTW: I live in Washington Parish. Jimmy
Hey Keith, what did the beek have to say about all this? Man, you must be sore dude. How's the bees I gave you doing and the birdhouse bees? 37 stings, you have passed your initiation!!!
...JP
If those nucs stay proddy I'd consider requeening. I personally wouldn't sell bees that proddy--I might work them myself but I wouldn't inflict them on someone else.
Could have been shampoo or detergent smells in the hat too.Perhaps a deodorant attracted them to you.Were they after anyone else or just you?
No just me, they flew right past my father. He jumped into my truck as I went running, but no they had no interest in him. JP I bought a new camera today and I am going to try to get some pics of the cut out and also the birdhouse bees. Man, those are some of the gentlest bees, I can do anything I want to aggravate them and still they don’t sting. Soon as I figure out the camera I will post some pics
Quote from: keith13 on April 05, 2008, 06:37:46 PM
No just me, they flew right past my father. He jumped into my truck as I went running, but no they had no interest in him. JP I bought a new camera today and I am going to try to get some pics of the cut out and also the birdhouse bees. Man, those are some of the gentlest bees, I can do anything I want to aggravate them and still they don’t sting. Soon as I figure out the camera I will post some pics
Yes, you are supposed to enjoy them without them stinging the living daylights outta ya. I would requeen any really aggressive ones, its just not worth having them around. I wouldn't set you up with bees that weren't tiger fans dude, I love L.S.U. and my bees better too!!!
...JP
Was the hat made of wool, or wool felt? They hate wool.
I often have the same problem. I get stung while working hives at bee meetings while 25 people stare at me swatting away, getting totally ignored. They only go after my face too. If they just stung my hands or arms i wouldn't worry. but I seem to get stung in the face about ten times the frequency of other parts of my body. I thought it might be that my hair is on the long side now...