Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Kathyp on February 12, 2007, 07:45:17 PM

Title: butt biters
Post by: Kathyp on February 12, 2007, 07:45:17 PM
ok, not really....but i have been reading about head butting, hair pulling, etc. 

even though the bees ping off my veil and land all over my shirt, the last few times i have been stung, it's been through my jeans.  that's the heaviest bit of clothing and not where i'd expect them to go after me.

anyone else have this experience??
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Kirk-o on February 12, 2007, 08:12:20 PM
Oh Yeah
Back in the 70's I purchased 100 hives from a 90 year old Lady.They had been in her back yard for 50 years just sitting there when I moved them to Salt Lake City the nieghboor called me and said the BEES were chaseing her Ducks>The bees were about 300 yards from the ducks.When I started re hiveing them some times it felt like they were stapleing my coveralls on for me
kirk-o
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Kathyp on February 12, 2007, 08:25:26 PM
i just don't understand why they go for the jeans and not the thinner shirts.  also, i thought they liked going for the face.  i have not been stung above the waist (except hands) ever, even when they got under my veil.
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: TwT on February 12, 2007, 08:28:15 PM
I walk beside my hives with no protection and nothing happens, I go to Don's (fatbeeman) and nothing happens till I get by the Russian hives, then they do like said headbutt you, they dont sting just run into you, they pull hair when they hit you in the head and some time borrow until you shake them loose, think if they ever reach your scalp they will sting but I never gave them a chance.... it is like said headbutt and hair pull.....
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Understudy on February 12, 2007, 08:50:27 PM
I wear black jeans for a reason. If the bees are going after me I want them to go for the thicker fabric. Remember bees are drawn to darker colors (so I have been told).
So I do a white shirt and dark jeans. I could wear white jeans, but it all gets dirty anyway.  Blue jeans are a darker color.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: DBoire on February 12, 2007, 08:53:25 PM
I've been stung through jeans, I did surprise me, that was generally when they were upset.
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Michael Bush on February 12, 2007, 09:30:32 PM
Usually they get through where the cloth is tight.  They seem to know this.
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Kathyp on February 12, 2007, 09:44:34 PM
QuoteUsually they get through where the cloth is tight

so just what are you trying to say?????

i am way to old for tight jeans  :-)  the good thing about getting nailed through the pants is that the stings have been very minor.  i think they spent most of their stuff on the material.
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Michael Bush on February 12, 2007, 10:32:09 PM
Your knees and shoulders are favorite targets where the fabric gets tight when you bend or reach.  I have no idea how tight your jeans are.  :)
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Cindi on February 12, 2007, 10:35:36 PM
Yup, I think that I heard that bees do not like the darker colours. It attracts them, they think that you are a predator, like a skunk, racoon, bear.  These creatures are all dark.  Now that makes me wonder about the depth of pigment in the human skin too.  Do darker skinned people get more stings than those with lighter skin?  Greatest of days.  Cindi
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Scadsobees on February 13, 2007, 09:24:58 AM
I don't get a lot of stings below the belt but when I do it is on the knees when I'm bending down examining the entrance, or once on the ankles.  Although one did attach itself to the back of my upper legs, and when I sat down in the pickup then she got me.
Title: Re: butt biters
Post by: Cindi on February 13, 2007, 09:44:57 AM
Ha, ya, I know what you mean.  There has been times when I put my hand down on the ground and whammo, got me, same thing, sat down once, and soon stood back up quickly.  Awesome day.  Cindi