Smell from hive

Bighead · October 14, 2009, 08:54:28 PM

Would aster and goldenrod smell like AFB?

sc-bee · October 14, 2009, 09:07:26 PM

Never smelt AFB but I understand it smells worse than aster or golden rod. Aster and gloden rod smells like dog poop!!!

doak · October 14, 2009, 09:39:44 PM

Deleplane says AFB has a "glue pot" Oder.
doak

hardwood · October 14, 2009, 10:01:19 PM

Goldenrod smells like a pile of gym socks! I've got a few hives full of the stuff right now and can barely bring myself to work them.

Scott

Michael Bush · October 14, 2009, 10:09:03 PM

As pointed out, gym socks is the best description I know of for Aster/Goldenrod, or at least what the honey smells like when the two of them are in bloom.

achunter · October 14, 2009, 11:03:10 PM

I have noticed that the hives that I know are in aster smell like vinegar

Highlandsfreedom · October 15, 2009, 12:28:26 AM

shouldn't of the queen stopped laying eggs by now? Just a newbee question

Two Bees · October 15, 2009, 04:55:10 PM

I understand that AFB smells like rotting meat.

Quite a bit of difference from a pile of gym socks!

At least, most gym socks!

kdm · October 15, 2009, 05:14:59 PM

In my area i get aster,golden rod,spanish nettle, boneset,& smartweed. they all have the dirty socks smell while curing. It is very good.

BeeHopper · October 15, 2009, 05:35:55 PM

I had a chance to smell frames of dead brood killed off by AFB, you just cannot describe the odor other than it being pungent, it is an odor I have never experienced before and I hope I never will again. The frames are kept in sealed plastic bags in an isolated area of someone I know just for the purpose as a training aid, after checking them out, we washed up and were told to avoid our apiaries or hives until we washed up again and changed clothes at home. It is impossible to explain to another the odor of something they have never known. :-\

Bighead · October 15, 2009, 07:39:17 PM

Thanks for all the advice. The hive does have a odd odor but I can not find anything wrong with the brood other than not very much brood. Probably from the winter slow down. PS I am new at this.

BeeHopper · October 15, 2009, 08:52:43 PM

Quote from: Bighead on October 15, 2009, 07:39:17 PM
Thanks for all the advice. The hive does have a odd odor but I can not find anything wrong with the brood other than not very much brood. Probably from the winter slow down. PS I am new at this.

We're all newbies at one time or another, beekeeping is essentially a practice, constantly learning. :)

Sparky · October 15, 2009, 09:08:20 PM

Good advice BeeHopper. I would rather have ask the question than felling hopless when things go bad from not being sure but not asking. The bee bread gives off a bit of a sour smell.

troutstalker2 · October 15, 2009, 10:15:40 PM

I've heard that afb smells like a glue pot, but for the life of me I don't know what the heck a gluepot smells like or even is.

Lone · October 15, 2009, 10:41:47 PM

Is American honey edible? :-P

doak · October 15, 2009, 10:57:28 PM

Do the test. If you have any brood what so ever. It won't hurt to waste a few cells of brood. Remove the cap on some capped and uncapped brood that is almost ready to cap.take a tooth pick, match stick or something similar. stir the cell, making a soup out of the larvae. Now remove the match stick
slowly, if it hangs on to the stick in a ropey fashion, then you have AFB or EFB. It is hard for some one with out experience to tell the difference between AFB and EFB. It is said the EFB doesn't rope out as much as AFB but it will still rope out. hope this helps

PS
All You nu-be beekeepers Would benefit from buying a couple good beekeeping books.
I do not have one in print. If I thought there was a need for a new one I would write one, but there are enough good ones out there Already. :)doak

doak · October 15, 2009, 11:08:36 PM

American honey is just as good, or in some cases better than some imported honey.
As you may not have heard, the U.S. Gov. hasn't been doing enough to curb the importation of "adulterated" Honey, so some private origination's have started their on acts. I think Florida is the first state to pass laws to this effect. If it has any additives, it will not go on sale in Florida. Period.
Hope the other 49 states follow suite.

Remember, I am not knocking your honey or anyone else"s.
doak

sc-bee · October 15, 2009, 11:11:00 PM

Dirty socks --- dog poop? How about dirty socks with dog poop on them :-D!

qa33010 · October 16, 2009, 04:41:19 AM

But it tastes and smells ooohhhh so good after it's cured. I have never smelled AFB and hope to never do so. But I have been told that once I do I'll never forget it and will know it immediately. Kind of like the first time I saw a fox, wolf or a coyote for the first time. I knew as soon as I saw them and will never forget.