Bee repellent

[flyboy]

Has anyone ever tried using an insect repellent like powdered Sublimed flowers of sulfur [Humco brand] to keep the bees away when working around the hive? Apparently you use a pinch in each shoe daily or lightly splash on wrists, ankles, around waist.

Some people use it as a repellent for a variety of things that are attracted to us.

I was wondering what effect it had or if it was useful or if it harmed the bees?

[Michael Bush]

The best "bee repellent" for working bees is smoke.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beessmoke.htm

[little john]

Burning sulphur was of course used to kill bees way back in the days of using skeps - can't comment on splashing small quantities of solution around ...

BUT - there's a herb named 'Tansy' or 'Common Tansy' which has been used for centuries as an insect repellant.  Many of the old-time beekeepers used dried Tansy leaves in their smokers as a smoker fuel of choice.
I have a small patch of Tansy growing in a corner of the garden - the leaves are fine, but the flowers STINK something awful - quite possibly the worst smell I've ever encountered.  Much worse than rotting flesh or fish.

I keep meaning to try dried Tansy in the smoker, but punk wood and sawdust is what I use for when the bees get 'over-friendly'.

LJ

[bwallace23350]

Get an ultra breeze full bee suit long socks and good boots and you will not have to worry about much even without smoke.