So... my hives smell like dog poo.

DaveKow · September 15, 2008, 08:54:14 AM

Is this just the smell of golden rod? I have read that it smells like dirty socks, but no mention of dog poo. Every time I stand close to the hive, I think that I stepped in one of my dog's poo mines. Could someone tell me what foulbrood smells like? I haven't wanted to disturb my hives 'cause they can use all the golden rod they can get.

Thanks,
Dave

JP · September 15, 2008, 09:06:42 AM

Dave, I haven't ever had foul brood but hear it smells like rotting flesh, very awful!!

...JP

randydrivesabus · September 15, 2008, 09:18:14 AM

were there any dogs hanging out near your hives?

Scadsobees · September 15, 2008, 10:59:19 AM

This time of year I'd chalk it up to goldenrod. To me it is a sour smell. If you use a thymol product in the hive that can add to the stench as well.

I've never smelled AFB.

I also think that different areas/plants may smell differently to different people.

I don't think that I'd worry about it. If you were to have it to the point that you could smell it outside I think that you'd have serious problems inside the hive and be able to tell from the activity that something is wrong.

Rick

KONASDAD · September 15, 2008, 11:16:10 AM

AFB smells nasty-like rotten food, sour musty like. If they are storring lots of nectar, its probably goldenrod. If you do an inspection, brood is spotty, dead brood around entrance, smell is stronger in brood area and not in supers, call your apiarist at the state ASAP.

Moonshae · September 15, 2008, 10:00:43 PM

Today I walked into my house to be greeted by the goldenrod smell. The ventilation in the ob hive spread the scent through the whole house. I kinda like it, though, so it's not all bad. I think it has a raw, healthy odor. Fortunately, you get accustomed to it very quickly, so my wife doesn't notice it except when she walks in the house (or up from the basement, or down from the bedroom...). :evil:

Last year, I didn't realize it was the goldenrod, I thought it was the large amount of brood in my hives, since it's clearly detectable several feet away from the hives...I still think it's a good thing!

Michael Bush · September 16, 2008, 07:10:26 AM

Raw is a good description. :)

greg spike · September 16, 2008, 08:07:09 AM

Yeah, I thought it was dog poo too, at first.

It was kinda funny. It didn't smell near the hives at first. The smell would kinda seep down the hill, into my garden 50' away.

For a couple weeks, every time I went to the garden, I would check my shoes and wonder where it was coming from.

TwT · September 16, 2008, 08:34:43 PM

Quote from: gspike on September 16, 2008, 08:07:09 AM
For a couple weeks, every time I went to the garden, I would check my shoes and wonder where it was coming from.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! now thats funny!!!!!!

gottabee · September 16, 2008, 08:46:59 PM

The first time I smelled goldenrod nectar I thought something was seriously wrong with my hives. Its that time of year again.

JP · September 17, 2008, 09:14:46 AM

May have smelled dog poo myself yesterday and the day before, has happened twice now when walking past a particular hive.

May be dog poo, may not, we will see.

...JP

Damonh · September 17, 2008, 10:17:08 AM

last week when I was mowing the front grass I thought I stepped in some dog poo. could not find any on my boots. However, when I got to the back all I could smell is the goldenrod honey. :)

Irwin · September 17, 2008, 10:38:02 AM

What dose goldenrod look like :? I live out here on the west coast.

JP · September 17, 2008, 10:42:18 AM

Quote from: Irwin on September 17, 2008, 10:38:02 AM
What dose goldenrod look like :? I live out here on the west coast.

http://www.gpnc.org/goldenro.htm

...JP

bassman1977 · September 17, 2008, 01:17:47 PM

QuoteWhat dose goldenrod look like huh I live out here on the west coast.

This is an excellent bee plant, as it produces an abundance of nectar and pollen. It does stink to high heaven and an overpowering taste. Surprisingly enough, it is a huge seller for me. Apparently the honey is great for cooking and baking.

JP · September 17, 2008, 06:46:26 PM

Quote from: JP on September 17, 2008, 09:14:46 AM
May have smelled dog poo myself yesterday and the day before, has happened twice now when walking past a particular hive.

May be dog poo, may not, we will see.

...JP

Wasn't dog poo, it was rotting lima beans left in a cooler I had evacuated with, for Gustave.

...JP

bassman1977 · September 18, 2008, 08:12:52 AM

QuoteWasn't dog poo, it was rotting lima beans left in a cooler I had evacuated with, for Gustave.

:fishhit:

BMAC · September 18, 2008, 08:57:41 AM

I enjoy using Goldenrod honey in my coffee in the morning. I look forward to getting a few 5 gallon pails this year.

Irwin · September 18, 2008, 09:52:53 AM

Thank's JP I don't see any thing like that around here.

Cossack · September 19, 2008, 07:32:37 PM

Hey,

I was smelling the same thing around my hives and could not figure out what was going on. This makes sense about the golden rod's.

Thanks from outside Ocean City, Maryland.