I read somewhere (I think in the bee journal...) that smelling like lavender would calm your bees - kind of like it would a person. Or some kind of floral scent would do the same. Has anyone tried using a splash of lavender oil before?
In one of Michael Palmers You Tube videos he says it's good to get stung a couple times a year but, I hate getting stung. Actually, I got stung only once this year and that was because she got stuck under my pant leg. 3 of my 4 hives are very gentle. My green hive occasionally was kind of defensive - I would crouch down and watch them and a couple girls would come out and go back and forth in front of my head. I was thinking if I ever came across some defensive bees somewhere if maybe I smelled pretty they would be nice ; )
If you smell nice, it will attract their attention. I like it better when they just ignore me.
Being ignored is a good thing.
What Dallas said.
The best smell you can acquire is smoke but most people don't like smelling like smoke.
recheck that video, Linda. I think he recommends a few more stings than a couple a year :wink:
Yes - approximately once a month.
What's his basis for recommending anyone to get stung?
It's a short You Tube video:
"Michael Palmer - Importance of Getting Stung"
Published on Oct 12, 2013
Michael Palmer explains why bee keepers and their family members need to get stung by a bee approximately once a month and how this helps reduce the chances of having an Anaphylaxis reaction to a bee sting. Filmed September 4, 2013 at French Hill Apiaries in St. Albans, VT.
Check it out - it's interesting!
Quote from: Linda M. on January 06, 2016, 08:27:39 PM
Michael Palmer explains why bee keepers and their family members need to get stung by a bee approximately once a month and how this helps reduce the chances of having an Anaphylaxis reaction to a bee sting.
Last I knew MP is not a medical doctor so I question why he would make that suggestion. Venom is a poison. You can build an immunity to a poison but I doubt anyone would give their kids a can of baby rattlers to play with to build up that immunity. Most old time beekeepers have an immunity to bee stings because if they didn't they would be dead already and no longer a beekeeper. The best way to build immunity to bee stings is to become a beekeeper and build up the immunity gradually.
I have read where commercial beeks and people who seldom get stung have a less chance of a reaction than beekeepers family members, landscapers, exterminators, etc., who get stung more than the average person, but less than a beekeeper. It seems very, very few stings, or very many stings, add to the safety. A middle amount of stings are the most dangerous.
Don't ask me for links. I read it long before the internet existed.
The basis of desensitizing people to allergens is small doses over a period of time with gradually increases until the body does not react - and it works. However having said that my first job was working as the Sterile Products Manager for a large drug company and bulk of our products were antibiotics. We had women working in the sterile filling area for years who would turn up for work and within an hour have a violent allergic reaction and could no longer work in the area.
Iddee
The reason beekeeper's family have alergic reactions is they end up handling suits and items that have bee venom on them. If they receive regular stings they do not become alergic. The stings help built up immunity, bee venom power alone causes an alergic reaction.
Jim
That's what I said. Those who are exposed to more than the average person, but not to the beek's degree.
It can be from many sources, not just handling clothing and equip.
Quote from: Linda M. on January 06, 2016, 08:27:39 PM
It's a short You Tube video:
"Michael Palmer - Importance of Getting Stung"
Published on Oct 12, 2013
Michael Palmer explains why bee keepers and their family members need to get stung by a bee approximately once a month and how this helps reduce the chances of having an Anaphylaxis reaction to a bee sting. Filmed September 4, 2013 at French Hill Apiaries in St. Albans, VT.
Check it out - it's interesting!
Hmm. I've been stung every month in the Spring-Summer (Oct-March here) for the last 2 years and finished up with anaphylaxis last month. Obviously I should have been shoving my bare hands into a hive each month April through Sept too.
I was wondering where I'd gone wrong (lying in hospital on an adrenaline drip and oxygen), now I know.
There's no guarantee with nature, Richard. We are talking odds only. The only real conclusion they have come up with is, one will never react to their first sting. It can be any sting after the first, even the 100 thousandth one. It just seems some things can raise or lower the odds.
Quote from: Acebird on January 06, 2016, 09:19:50 PM
Quote from: Linda M. on January 06, 2016, 08:27:39 PM
Michael Palmer explains why bee keepers and their family members need to get stung by a bee approximately once a month and how this helps reduce the chances of having an Anaphylaxis reaction to a bee sting.
Last I knew MP is not a medical doctor so I question why he would make that suggestion. Venom is a poison. You can build an immunity to a poison but I doubt anyone would give their kids a can of baby rattlers to play with to build up that immunity. Most old time beekeepers have an immunity to bee stings because if they didn't they would be dead already and no longer a beekeeper. The best way to build immunity to bee stings is to become a beekeeper and build up the immunity gradually.
I'll join Iddee and others who responded to the quoted comment above. Handling bee suits, etc., exposes the family to the bee venom without getting stung, so they become much more sensitive to the venom.
My first information about the benefits of bee venom was aboit 1949, when I was aboit 13 or 14. I met a beekeeper who told me he exposed himself to stings regularly to benefit his rheumatoid arthritis.
Who's going to do a controlled study that satisfies the requirements of the FDA and the scientific community, at acost of maybe $1 million, just for the heck of it? Looks to me like anecdotal data is all we're going to have.
A few years ago, I forgot who it was but one the experienced Beeks on Beemaster here was helping a new Beek with her new hives and a frame of bees was dropped and the next thing he new he was on the ground in full anaphylactic shock. If he had been on his own he probably would have died.
Jim
Jim, that is one sobering thought.
Quote from: Dallasbeek on January 07, 2016, 01:20:11 AM
Jim, that is one sobering thought.
Wow it sure is. Matter of fact every sting is a sobering experience.
This is why I like it when my wife helps me with the hives and on removals. She does not like going into the hives but she will be there by my side helping.
Jim
>Last I knew MP is not a medical doctor so I question why he would make that suggestion.
Personal experience with family members.
> If he had been on his own he probably would have died.
But the odds of him going into anaphylactic shock from eating a PBJ sandwich are higher than the odds when you get stung. But yes, it's probably wise to follow the "buddy system" with anything if you can. Someone there when something goes wrong can often save a life and that something seldom, but could, involve bees...
Program on Australian TV last night http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H010S00 (http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H010S00) "Lavender and the Honey Bee" very interesting research. Lavender and rose scent calms and banana scent aggravates. Very interesting in that bees retain memory and DNA can be altered
I try not to open the hives when drunk....who wants those stings to ruin a good "buzz" by sobering ;-)
Now there is something that I have not seen on the internet before.
When I try to watch the video, it says that due to Programming licensing agrements, it is only viewable in Australia.
Seems our friends from down under are getting a bit stingy. :happy:
I always wondered if the internet could discriminate by country.
Jim
We get that trying to view some US and UK programmes online so it's not just stingy Aussies. Trick is to change your country in settings for iPad - even then it doesn't always work
I was just teasing Wambat.
I am on a desk top but if I really needed to, I could get my son to set his phone to look like it is Down Under.
Thanks.
Alas, Jim, it seems the only way that you will be able to have a look at that show is to stand on your head whilst eating a Vegemite sandwich
Mick
I went to there website and the was able to view it.
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4437579.htm
Thanks CAO. I was addle to watch it with my LG pad.
Pretty interesting.
Jim
Whenever I try to watch anything, I'm told my browser's out of date ... can't think why they keep saying that - it's Firefox 1.5 running under Windows 98SE - a setup which should be good for another 20 years yet ...
LJ (with his tongue held firmly in cheek)
I am not sure I have ever been stung by a honey bee but I have been stung by plenty of wasps but I know that their venoms are different. Anyway I just installed my first two beehives yesterday so if I get stung soon I will let you know and I will use the buddy system.
Quote from: little john on April 07, 2016, 04:13:19 AM
Whenever I try to watch anything, I'm told my browser's out of date ... can't think why they keep saying that - it's Firefox 1.5 running under Windows 98SE - a setup which should be good for another 20 years yet ...
LJ (with his tongue held firmly in cheek)
Don't worry LJ - the main Data input program I use at work is a DOS program running in a Window - and yes I work in a Government Department linked to another Govt dept. who control the DOS program.
DOS!
What's DOS? :shocked:
Mick
So my question being a Neewb is that if bee venom can be left on the suit and someone wants to check out my hives with me can they go into shock just by touching the bee venom or do they have to be stung?
There is a great you tube video by Michael Palmer. I think the title is "Why beekeepers' families need to be stung or the importance of being stung. This probably won't answer your question but it will give you a broader view of the importance of being stung.
Quote from: SlickMick on April 07, 2016, 09:09:33 AM
DOS!
What's DOS? :shocked:
Mick
I miss DOS! My first PC ran DOS, cost $2,500 and had 40 megabytes of hard drive memory. I think the RAM was 128 (K or MB? Don't recall. I used it in my legal practice and never ran out of hard drive capacity. Then Windows came out and the OS alone took a lot more memory than I had.
Quote from: bwallace23350 on April 07, 2016, 10:28:25 AM
So my question being a Neewb is that if bee venom can be left on the suit and someone wants to check out my hives with me can they go into shock just by touching the bee venom or do they have to be stung?
The problem is not going into shock from dried bee venom. It causes the wrong reaction to being stung after the person has been exposed to dried bee venom .
If they receive bee stings all along, this does not seem to happen.
Jim
Quote from: sawdstmakr on April 07, 2016, 12:14:42 PM
Quote from: bwallace23350 on April 07, 2016, 10:28:25 AM
So my question being a Neewb is that if bee venom can be left on the suit and someone wants to check out my hives with me can they go into shock just by touching the bee venom or do they have to be stung?
The problem is not going into shock from dried bee venom. It causes the wrong reaction to being stung after the person has been exposed to dried bee venom .
If they receive bee stings all along, this does not seem to happen.
Jim
I think being stung helps the body to build up its defenses to the venom, while just being exposed to dried venom causes the body to become more sensitive to the venom. Unfortunately, I must not be getting enough stings, because I react be swelling up big time (no anaphylactic shock, just puffing up). But I'm not tempted to let more bees have at me. What's your reaction to stings, Jim?
They hurt for a few minutes. Sometimes later in the day, I will notice that the area is a little sore.
If I do not get stung for a long time, I start to have trouble with my arms being painful.
Jim
I am sure I will get stung but am not to worried about it as I have never had worse than a bit of light headedness hours after the fact and some localized swelling but on the precaution of others I am having a doctor prescribe me some epi pens and show me how to use them.
Quote from: sawdstmakr on April 07, 2016, 01:07:31 PM
They hurt for a few minutes. Sometimes later in the day, I will notice that the area is a little sore.
If I do not get stung for a long time, I start to have trouble with my arms being painful.
Jim
Arthritis? So being stung is good for you?
I'm going to throw away my smoker and wave lavender sprigs and peace roses at my bees. :tongue:
Quote from: Wombat2 on April 06, 2016, 05:21:05 AM
Program on Australian TV last night http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H010S00 (http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H010S00) "Lavender and the Honey Bee" very interesting research. Lavender and rose scent calms and banana scent aggravates. Very interesting in that bees retain memory and DNA can be altered
Thanks for the link. The epigenetic stuff is fascinating.
Edit, I forgot to ask: I've never heard the bit about putting a banana peel in the hive to induce rapid cleanup. Can someone explain that to me?
Quote from: Dallasbeek on April 07, 2016, 01:22:45 PM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on April 07, 2016, 01:07:31 PM
They hurt for a few minutes. Sometimes later in the day, I will notice that the area is a little sore.
If I do not get stung for a long time, I start to have trouble with my arms being painful.
Jim
Arthritis? So being stung is good for you?
Arthritis? Yes. So being stung is good for you? Yes
Quote from: yes2matt on April 07, 2016, 09:45:27 PM
Quote from: Wombat2 on April 06, 2016, 05:21:05 AM
Program on Australian TV last night http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H010S00 (http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H010S00) "Lavender and the Honey Bee" very interesting research. Lavender and rose scent calms and banana scent aggravates. Very interesting in that bees retain memory and DNA can be altered
Thanks for the link. The epigenetic stuff is fascinating.
Edit, I forgot to ask: I've never heard the bit about putting a banana peel in the hive to induce rapid cleanup. Can someone explain that to me?
I never heard of it.
I do know that the ingredients in banana are not the same as the pheromones the bees use. I have tested eating a banana while working in a hive and they had no reaction.
Jim
Quote from: Acebird on January 06, 2016, 09:19:50 PM
Quote from: Linda M. on January 06, 2016, 08:27:39 PM
Michael Palmer explains why bee keepers and their family members need to get stung by a bee approximately once a month and how this helps reduce the chances of having an Anaphylaxis reaction to a bee sting.
Last I knew MP is not a medical doctor so I question why he would make that suggestion. Venom is a poison. You can build an immunity to a poison but I doubt anyone would give their kids a can of baby rattlers to play with to build up that immunity. Most old time beekeepers have an immunity to bee stings because if they didn't they would be dead already and no longer a beekeeper. The best way to build immunity to bee stings is to become a beekeeper and build up the immunity gradually.
Forgive me for not reading this entire thread and it has been quite a while since I watched the video but if I remember correctly his daughter got stung and had an anaphylactic shock episode. If I remember correctly he said the doctor told him that its about 1 in 100 people that are allergic to bees in the general population. In bee keeping families it is about 1 in 10. Getting stung occasionally helps the immunity. The other solution is for only the person working with the bees to handle the clothing being warn by the beekeeper.
I remember, either on that video or elsewhere, that a beekeeper's family was more likely to "develop" an allergic reaction to bee venom than other folks. Mainly because of handling the clothes and the "secondary" venom.
Bee venom is like Forest Gump - Dey's Differant. Think about it, when we first got stung we use to swell up like road kill. Now I have to look hard an hour later to find the mark.
Just make sure its "real" Lavender LOL...my experience with "fake" lavender was anything but soothing.
http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=48239.0 (http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=48239.0)
Quote from: yes2matt on April 07, 2016, 09:45:27 PM
Quote from: Wombat2 on April 06, 2016, 05:21:05 AM
Program on Australian TV last night http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H010S00 (http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H010S00)
Edit, I forgot to ask: I've never heard the bit about putting a banana peel in the hive to induce rapid cleanup. Can someone explain that to me?
Know how it is when you walk through the house with dog crap on your shoe?.... well banana is like that - they do a major spring clean to get rid of it all.