ok, first off i was inspecting my hive the other day and a bee landed on me. she curled up like i thought she was trying to sting me, but instead she let me know exactly what she thinks of me ( she pooped on me ) is this a common occurrance ?
later, after i closed up the hive and left i set my smoker down about 100 yards from the hive and about 20 or so bees were swarning my smoker,i didn't notice if they were following me all the way or not. maybe i got some honey on my hands and unknowingly transferred it to the smoker ? any thoughts on that one ? or are my bees just weird ?
Head butting is a common defense mechanism with bees. They do it more often than stinging as it's less costly to the hive (and not fatal to the bee). As far as the smoker, I can't say. But honey is one possibility.
Keep in mind that one of the honey bee's key senses is its sense of smell. Their sense of smell is really beyond the typical person's comprehension.
That bee that landed on you may have simply used you as its own personal hammock for a quick rest or decided you smelled good enough or something on you attracted it enough for it to investigate and then it relieved itself on you, no rhyme or reason there, really.
Same as your smoker, something attracted the bees to it albeit something they liked or disliked.
...JP
I frequently have bees landing on my smoker when I am near the hives. I have even seen some trying to crawl down inside the spout!
Awww, that's sooo cute! You got a little "love poop" :-D
Scott
Quote from: gardeningfireman on October 12, 2010, 09:52:42 AM
I frequently have bees landing on my smoker when I am near the hives. I have even seen some trying to crawl down inside the spout!
What do you use in that smoker??? Do the bees giggle a lot after trying that and then go after the chips nearby???