I always learn the hard way!!

[harvey]

Bowing to those like IDDEE and Mr. Bush,  SMOKE might just be a good thing!  I went out today just after a thunderstorm, it was nice out.  I was going to take a frame of eggs and brood and put in a hive that is queenless.  I checked all but the strongest hive first.  A little troubled at the amount of honey in all the brood nests and not as much brood in any of the hives as what I thought.  No real good solid patterns.  These are all swarms.  I went to the queen less hive and took it down to one box.  I was looking for the two queen cells I had seen earlier.  I think I found one but it didn't look good or maybe she has hatched and I have a virgin Let's cross our fingers.  I then went to the strongest hive which is two deeps and a super just overflowing with bees.  I took off the super which is still empty,  took off the top deep which might have sprained my back as it is seven frames honey!  then the lightening struck,  The thunder barked a couple times pretty close too.  I was going slow.  I took out a frame from the bottom deep.  No eggs in that one.  Went to take out another frame and the lightening and thunder boomed again. 
   Now the lesson I learned today is about smoke.  I have been keeping my mouth shut on here about not using it.  Haven't since begining of last year!  Thought without it I would disrupt the bee's less.  So I don't even have one with me let alone lit.  well the lightening struck again and I saw my first swarm!!!  They left the hive and were all over me...  Blue jeans do not stop stingers!!!   I did have gloves and a veil on today!  I was completely covered in bees.  I started walking as fast as I could.  I walked past the house and down the drive, probably three hundred yards till I was free of the bees!!   I waited about tne minutes and as it was still thundering and lightening and begining to rain I had to go put the hives back together.  They let me and only a few hundred escorted me back past the house this time.  SMOKE might just be a good thing.  I am guessing the weather had something to do with it to.  My legs, all the way up, my chest and back look like I have measles.  Sorry for all the bees  Bit I have a few hundred stings today. 

[sarafina]

Sorry you had to learn the hard way..... I hope you are taking Benedryl to lessen the systemic reaction you may have with so many stings. 

I pulled some frames of honey yesterday from my super and didn't have frames ready to go back in so I left a gap of 3 frames.  All I had to do this morning was pop the top cover and put 3 frames in, but I suited up like I always do and lit my smoker.  I have never been sorry for lighting my smoker or wearing too much gear even though it is brutally hot......... but I have on occasion been sorry for not wearing enough!   :evil:

[skflyfish]

I have learned the hard way, though no where near as hard as yours. As much as lighting a smoker is a PIA for a minor tasks, I have been taught by the girls to so do.

Hope you are okay with that many stings.

Jay

[saritacoleman]

Ouch! I hope you are on the mend soon.

A couple of days ago we had a spell where the bees in the yard (away from the hive) were landing on us. In my hair, on givemeone's shorts...actually felt her little feet crawling at the edge of my slogger. We brushed and shook them off and thankfully have not been stung.

I love lavender dryer sheets...no more until winter.

Problem solved.

I truly hope you are okay.

Warm regards,

Sarita

[riverrat]

ouch that hurts just reading it. I keep bees by the rule of never open a hive on a day you wouldnt want the roof taken off your house.

[Paynesgrey]

I am glad with that many stings that you did not go into shock...Glad to hear that you will be using smoke!

On the lavender - We have lavender dryer sheets
Do the bees mind the lavender smell? Just avoid it or what?

100 stings....you have my sympathy for the itchy stage especially.

[saritacoleman]

I wished they would avoid clothes smelling like lavender dryer sheets. I guess they thing givemeone and I are large walking flowers because they would not leave us alone.

We were a very good distance from the hive too.