I made them angry today.

rookie2531 · August 17, 2014, 01:16:35 PM

I decided to inspect today and was going to open the brood in the nucs, but first I wanted to find the queen in the large hive so I could use some capped brood to put in with those nuc. Well everything was wet. The hay pile, mulch and even the mowed grass clippings. It had rained last night, so no fuel for the smoker. I suited up rather well and headed out. Every frame I pulled except the ends had larva on them. I hate it when I cannot find her, especially when I want to steal frames. I guess I killed a few even though I was being very careful around the ends of the frames where I hold them. They started covering my fingers (gloves) and even saw one sting my finger and was stuck for a few seconds. Then they were around me, all over getting more aggressive by the minute. I figured if I just stop what I was doing and stood still for a while, they would calm down. Nope, darting straight at my hands and even the hive tool. Then one got me on my arm, then on the other arm. I had to stop and get the smoker no matter what I had to use as fuel. Paper and sawdust is all I had that was dry, so be it. I decided to put them back together and just fed the nucs. I was thinking about trying to use the thin rubber gloves, like the doctors use, but even if it was the result of the thick gloves starting that frenzy today, I think my hands are more safe with them. Who knows how many stings I would get if that was to happen and not be protected.

marktrl · August 17, 2014, 01:34:16 PM

Some have to learn the hard way.... never go in the hive w/o a lit smoker!

SkipS · August 17, 2014, 01:44:32 PM

I may not always wear a veil but I never go in without a lit smoker. I have a couple of 5 gallon buckets in the garage full of smoker fuel so I always have dry available - Just a suggestion...

BeeMaster2 · August 17, 2014, 05:06:28 PM

I always try to keep a burlap bag of pine needles available just for Rainey days.
Jim

RHBee · August 17, 2014, 05:50:30 PM

I keep an old trash can with a bale of pine straw. Stays dry lasts all season.

rookie2531 · August 17, 2014, 09:12:38 PM

Yes, when it dries out, I too will have some dry stuff in the garage.

GSF · August 18, 2014, 06:34:53 AM

I've learned something new this year as well (2nd year beek) - Going in the hives this time of year can create a robbing frenzy. Another thing I started doing this year is going gloveless. Like the other folks will tell you, when you use gloves you tend to squash more bees thus saturating the hive with the alarm scent. That's when they start acting up. Since I've applied this I have a lot less hostility during inspection. You will also be able to tell the difference between a hot hive and one that's just protecting itself. Now if I have to put the gloves on I know there's a problem. Just move very slow and methodical. It amazes me to be able to stick my hand down in a hive full of bees and not get stung, seems kind of backwards.

BeeMaster2 · August 18, 2014, 06:57:07 AM

Going without gloves really makes a difference. Before you start go into the hives, bee sure to smoke your hands up real well. I also will smoke all exposed areas, face, arms, neck and hair, as well. As Gary said, moving slow is real important.
Jim

Jim134 · August 18, 2014, 09:35:50 AM

Quote from: marktrl on August 17, 2014, 01:34:16 PM
Some have to learn the hard way.... never go in the hive w/o a lit smoker!

:lau: :lau: :lau:

Quote from: SkipS on August 17, 2014, 01:44:32 PM
I may not always wear a veil but I never go in without a lit smoker. I have a couple of 5 gallon buckets in the garage full of smoker fuel so I always have dry available fuel for the smoker ......... Just a suggestion...

:th_thumbsupup:

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Steel Tiger · August 18, 2014, 09:59:49 AM

Everything was wet the last time I went into the hives. I ended up using cardboard and wood chips to get a hot fire going in the smoker. Once it was blazing, I packed it with the wet grass. I was afraid it was going to go out by the time I actually got to the hives, but it stayed lit for over 1/2 an hour. Wet, dead grass makes lots of smoke.

rookie2531 · August 18, 2014, 04:06:03 PM

I'll stick with the gloves for now and just make sure I smoke them away from the ends of the frames. I'm not comfortable digging in the hive unprotected. I have top fed them with nothing on, earlier in the spring, but the last time I tried that they chased me off. I can stand all around them, but I will not open them up.

GSF · August 18, 2014, 10:28:47 PM

I remember the first and last time I opened them up with no protection. I got about 5 stings right quick like. Most on the underside of my arms and a couple in the ole armpits.

Bees are like animals - they are unpredictable. You can have your favorite pet hive that never bothers you and one day your on your way to the E room because of them.

minz · August 19, 2014, 04:37:05 PM

And when they start stinging you can hear the tone change, whether they hurt you or not. That sting spot is in for some company. I was putting hives in the truck last weekend and shoved it too hard and separated the bottom board. It was ugly and angry. They were going up my gloves and stinging my wrists, they found the gap in my jacket and stung my love handles, I took some through the pants but most of the shots to the pants just were there to add to a bad situation. All I had was liquid smoke to push the bearding back into the hive to close them up.

Jim134 · August 20, 2014, 09:51:29 AM

minz.......

Poor decisions make the best stories.

;)

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

dsegrest · August 20, 2014, 02:22:02 PM

If it is too wet to light the smoker, it is too wet to open the hive. Your bees are "fair weather friends".

jayj200 · August 24, 2014, 02:15:55 PM

Bed time stories are the best

I don't feel like such a dolt

capt44 · August 24, 2014, 02:54:10 PM

Honey Bees tend to be more protective of their hive this time of year.
Protecting what they have.
But smoke is a must.