Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Joelel on June 24, 2009, 03:16:58 PM

Title: Bees and smells
Post by: Joelel on June 24, 2009, 03:16:58 PM
Bees don't like smells.People get attacked because of some smells.Smells make bees aggressive.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Cheryl on June 24, 2009, 03:31:59 PM
That is............................ profound.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Hethen57 on June 24, 2009, 03:36:35 PM
What about flowers...?  :-D
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Mason on June 24, 2009, 04:00:23 PM
Haiku format:

Bees do not like smells
they attack people who smell
take a bath stinky
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Kathyp on June 24, 2009, 04:04:32 PM
 :lau:

by the time i am done out there wearing that jacket, i am sure i am stinky.  i have not noted an increase in attacks toward the end of inspections.  perhaps i stink nice?
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Hethen57 on June 24, 2009, 04:18:21 PM
Mason: Love the Haiku!  X:X 
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Joelel on June 24, 2009, 04:22:42 PM
Talking about some smells,my son wore hair jell to the hives one day and they buzzed his head and he was getting stung alote.Well now he don't wear it anymore and goes with no gloves and veil and they don't sting him.He pulls frames with no gloves and veil and never gets buzzed and stung now.

I read some place one time they don't like smells.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Joelel on June 24, 2009, 04:30:39 PM
Some smells are one reason they are sometimes aggressive and sometimes not.Believe what you like.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Kathyp on June 24, 2009, 04:33:16 PM
there are probably things that agitate them.  probably things they really like.  i learned not to use the coconut conditioner on days i wish to check the hives!

please be careful working bees without face protection.  an airway or eyeball sting can, at the very least, land you in the ER.  worst case, it could kill you.  you may forgo all other protection with little risk, but not that which protects the face.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: hollybees on June 24, 2009, 04:59:28 PM

Hello,
I have found its your breath (or maybe just my breath)
If they fly at your face and buzz angrily when you blow gently on them you can count on it.

I gargle w/mint Listerine before inspections made a big difference for me.
Also I stopped using smoke it was just p---ing them off.
If my movements are easy going then so are they.

One other thing I learned..... Don't use a chainsaw then go work you bees.
Change clothes whatever...get the smell of 2-stroke oil off of you...they don't like it!

Yeah, and I agree w/kathyp on the face protection. That's just not worth the risk in my opinion  :shock:

that's my 2-cents for what its worth

Paul
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Scadsobees on June 24, 2009, 05:03:54 PM
Quote from: Joelel on June 24, 2009, 03:16:58 PM
Bees don't like smells.People get attacked because of some smells.Smells make bees aggressive.

You should see those bees attack that goldenrod in the fall!!!

I smell like goldenrod when I get all sweaty and B.O.-ey. :-D  Really...there have been times in July I start wondering why the goldenrod is so early when I realize that it is just me.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: hankdog1 on June 24, 2009, 05:06:37 PM
Can't really blame them i don't care too much for stinky people eigther.  Mind you though the workers are women and we all know how good women's sence of smell is hehehe. 
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: hollybees on June 24, 2009, 05:22:10 PM
Quote from: Scadsobees on June 24, 2009, 05:03:54 PM

I smell like goldenrod when I get all sweaty and B.O.-ey. :-D  Really...there have been times in July I start wondering why the goldenrod is so early when I realize that it is just me.

B.O.-ey huh!

How'd you get that past spell check  8-)

Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: JP on June 24, 2009, 05:22:40 PM
I think its weather/pressure changes that affect bees tempermants more than anything. Certain odors are attractive in good ways and bad, I agree.

I've been in hives in different bee yards on the same day and performed removals within that same time period where the bees were mellow. Then, 3-4 days later, I'm in those yards again, and everyone is grumpy, there's definitely a weather/pressure correlation. And very windy days, watch out!

I don't wear cologne ever and I use unscented deodorant and naturally based shampoos/conditioners.

The bees like my sweat.


...JP
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on June 24, 2009, 05:33:31 PM
I wear and use a lot of natural products that contain lavender extract. It is supposedly 'calming' to one's nerves and helps us to relax....well, I do need that. When I have to catch a swarm on a moments notice, I usually have plenty of the herbals sprayed on....lavender of course....and the bees seem to do okay with it.....but any other scent and all of the musk scents are out!

Mentol cigarette smokers seem to have more problems with bees butting than others...or so I have noticed when people who smoke are near my hives....
:-D Also, Skoal seems to make them do some fancy head butting....but just from what I have seen, as I do not use the stuff!

Brenda
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: JP on June 24, 2009, 05:48:04 PM
I've yet to see Alan Bukley without a wad of chew in his jaw and he never seems to get stung and he never wears a veil. Of course he does kinda look like a bee. :-D


...JP
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Cheryl on June 24, 2009, 07:17:32 PM
Quote from: Joelel on June 24, 2009, 04:30:39 PM
Some smells are one reason they are sometimes aggressive and sometimes not.Believe what you like.
What you say is true. It would help if we knew which smells you are referring to! Can you describe the smell of your son's hair gel?

And I wholeheartedly agree about wearing a veil.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on June 24, 2009, 09:07:04 PM
Quote from: JP on June 24, 2009, 05:48:04 PM
I've yet to see Alan Bukley without a wad of chew in his jaw and he never seems to get stung and he never wears a veil. Of course he does kinda look like a bee. :-D


...JP

JP, they do tend to ignore the drones don't they?  :evil:

On second thought, maybe he doesn't spit?? :-D

Brenda

Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Joelel on June 24, 2009, 10:29:31 PM
Quote from: hollybees on June 24, 2009, 04:59:28 PM

Hello,
I have found its your breath (or maybe just my breath)
If they fly at your face and buzz angrily when you blow gently on them you can count on it.

I gargle w/mint Listerine before inspections made a big difference for me.
Also I stopped using smoke it was just p---ing them off.
If my movements are easy going then so are they.

One other thing I learned..... Don't use a chainsaw then go work you bees.
Change clothes whatever...get the smell of 2-stroke oil off of you...they don't like it!

Yeah, and I agree w/kathyp on the face protection. That's just not worth the risk in my opinion  :shock:

that's my 2-cents for what its worth

Paul

I blow on my bees all the time and it don't bother them. Your right about the smoke,i use very little also,only if i have to. My son also found out they don't like the smell of his work clothes,he is a forklift mechanic and has oil on them. We wear eye protection goggles to protect the eyes.Your right on the money with your 2 cents.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Bee Happy on June 24, 2009, 10:39:15 PM
They don't like the smell of one of my dogs. It's possible they think he's ugly too.
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: cundald on June 24, 2009, 11:15:22 PM
Quote from: Cheryl on June 24, 2009, 07:17:32 PM
Quote from: Joelel on June 24, 2009, 04:30:39 PM
Some smells are one reason they are sometimes aggressive and sometimes not.Believe what you like.
What you say is true. It would help if we knew which smells you are referring to! Can you describe the smell of your son's hair gel?

And I wholeheartedly agree about wearing a veil.

One smell that bees will respond to is the banana smell, it is very similar to the alarm pheromones.
Another smell that bees respond to is lemongrass, lemongrass extract is used is swarm traps.

cundald
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Highlandsfreedom on June 24, 2009, 11:47:34 PM
Quote from: kathyp on June 24, 2009, 04:04:32 PM
:lau:

by the time i am done out there wearing that jacket, i am sure i am stinky.  i have not noted an increase in attacks toward the end of inspections.  perhaps i stink nice?

Yes you smell great when you sweat.......... I reckon
Title: Re: Bees and smells
Post by: Irwin on June 25, 2009, 10:44:50 AM
I use a chainsaw all the time and never had a problem with my bees after work I get a beer and a cig and sit by the hive and watch the bees. I think it is more of a barometric pressure thing at least with my bees. haven't had the gut's too try the banana thing yet.