I never would have believed it..... My Bees?

[TapStoneBees]

Wow,

What a  crazy day it was tending to the girls...... what is this information I hear about cafffeine and bees???

If it is any consulation....it must be true.   My gals are always in great spirits, lately I havent' even been  going to the hive with smoke, just wait, and crack the top, wait, and then open it up.  Usually the girls just hang out, and go about their business.  

Today however, with fresh coffee in my veins, and inclement weather in the air, the girls were in a Frenzy.  I ended up getting stung more than six times, three in the face.....OUCH!!!!  I didn't even continue, doing anything.  I immediately carefully, after being stung, put the hive cover back on, and walked away, with many bees in tow.   What happened, did they think I was robbing them???  I was gonna, did they figure that out, and decided, NOT today!!!!!!

More lessons learned.  I had wanted to add another shallow between the brood frames with new small wax foundation.  If it is nice later in the week, would it be okay to do this, or should I wait until after I have harvested the honey????  

The rains have been coming on and off, and the weather has turned cool in the evenings, last night down to 39, though the days are gettin up in the low 60's.  Fall is in the air!
Things are just now picking up with the girls. Last I looked they were busy building lots of new comb.   So I figure with the aster flow, the mums, and all of the golden rod, I am good to go for at least another two weeks.  I have noticed when the gals are coming in that they are carrying lots of pollen on their legs but also some sort of white dusting on their backs....... what might that be????   I love to go near the hive, you can hear a sound that is so amazing, not just the hummming buzzzz but the noise of the crackling, the movement and the chewing, sometimes it is so loud and intense, I love it!!!!  I should record it, just so ya'll can hear....though I am sure you too have stories to tell about the sonngs those gals have sung.........

Thanks for the time,

[Brian D. Bray]

At this point in time I would be consentrating on getting the hive winter ready, which is essentially forcing it into a honey bound condition and decreasing the brood area while maximizing honey stores.

The caffiene thing holds true for sodas too.

[likes2grill]

Whats the story with the "caffiene thing"? I'd like to know because I drink a lot of coffee durning the day (there's a pot always brewing).  
:?

[Brian D. Bray]

There are several items that you do not want to drink or eat before going into your bees because the item makes the bees proddy.
They are: coffee or any beverage containing caffiene, alcoholic beverages (Many people dispute this but I've always assumed it was because they were too stoned to notice), onions, and garlic.

Try it, you'll find out it's true.

[SteveSC]

Well, I don't know anything about caffine causing bees to act aggresive but I do know one thing that drive my bees crazy.

                                           Sunglasses.

Don't where sunglasses while working with or just observing the my bees......they'll make a believer out of you.   They must think I'm this giant predator \ robber bee scout or something.....:)   I can have the sunglasses on with a veil and the bees are bouncing off the veil.........walk away.....take the glasses off....go back to the bees and they're very calm and docile ( well, as docile as bees can be ).  Maybe they don't like Raybans.

Steve in SC

[Kathyp]

i'm going to have to learn to like getting stung.  i don't think i'd make it up to the hive without the coffee, and i'd starve to death if i didn't dump garlic and onions into everything!  in fact, i came back from italy with all kinds of great new things to do to garlic, onions, and tomatoes  :D

[TapStoneBees]

Honestly, now the girls are just being RUDE!!!

This morning, I decided to go outside, and sit with some coffee and Sunglasses on.   More than 200 feet from the hives.... just sitting on the bench.

My dogs, and I were sitting just minding out own business when all of a sudden ZAP!!!!

9 or more hits in just one minute,  I got stung the dogs got stung, it was CHAOS.

We didn't do anything to prevoke we were just sitting, my little  carin terrier, because of her fur was going crazy with the bees buzzing at her face, as they were stuck on her fur stinging her. She got stung at least twice, those are the bees that I pulled off of her.

What the HELL is the going on, agression,...... I mean Did they really need to do that????
Maybe just a little on thier part.  I had to come back in and tell you all about it.  Four or five hits I got from the girls......

I guess coffee and sunglasses in the morning, sitting on the bench looking at the land, and more than 200 feet from the hive.

No matter where or what at this point.......NO ONE is SAFE!!

There are alot of these really big and I mean BIG looking bees, that are kinda brownish gold, they are at least 3x the size of a Queen, they keep coming near the hive, but are thwarted by the bees.

Always some kind of adventure!!!

[Michael Bush]

I drink 12 ounces of esspresso with some cream in it, before I work the bees.  I'm sure it's more caffene than a six pack of Mt. Dew.  They are always in a good mood if it isn't raining.  :)  Maybe I should skip the caffene when it's raining?

[DBoire]

Whers the data?