still freaks me out a little

[slacker361]

even though I am in a full bee suite, gloves and i know there is no real way for the bees to get in , when they start getting mad and they are head butting and just buzzing all around , it still freaks me out a little bit

[luvin honey]

Very understandable. I find that slow, deep breathing does a great job in a variety of stressful situations.

[AllenF]

Just a way to get your heart rate up.  That way you don't have to go jogging after wards.

[Michael Bach]

Of my 4 hives, the one that is doing great gets testy now and then.  Today I did a quicky inspection to see how much brood was in the upper deep and to see how much uncured honey was in the super.  What I do is I turn the hives 90 degrees.  What that does is confuce the returning bees.  They hover where the entrance uses to be and leave me alone.  Doing this create a ton of bees in the air.  My neighbor likes to watch and he was freaking out standing about 100 feet away.  I told hive a healthy hive would have 50K bees and he didn't believe me until today.  I just wear a veil and get stung once in a while while doing inspections.  I use just plain water in a spray tank to drive the bees inside.  Not a fan of smoke.  I feel it stressed the bees too much plus they eat all of mine/their honey.

After saying that, I got stucg yesterday about 20 feet from the hive.  I was just walking by outside of the electric fence.  Must of been that time of the month for that girl.

[iddee]

Michael, the day, and it will come, that you receive 50 to 150 stings in 3 to 5 seconds, you will start using smoke. I just hope you are prepared for it when it happens.

[AllenF]

When the bees eat a lot because of the smoke,they just store it in their bellies.  Afterwards when thing calm down, they use it up slow or they put it back in the honey comb.  And I think a little smoke calms the bees down.

[hardwood]

The smoke is more for the bee's benefit than for your comfort. stressed bees are far less productive.

Scott

[VolunteerK9]

Using the words of a wiseman (idee) 'I had rather kiss a copperhead in the mouth than work bees without smoke'

[Michael Bach]

I understand, the smoker is always lit and at the ready.  I just have not had the need yet.

Thanks for the warning and advise.

[Jim134]

Michael, the day, and it will come, that you receive 50 to 150 stings in 3 to 5 seconds, you will start using smoke. I just hope you are prepared for it when it happens.

   It is not if is going to happing just when it is going to happing hope you the best


   BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)

[Scadsobees]

Slacker,
I speak from experience here...a lot of that head butting and buzzing you comes from inexperience and how you move.  My bees did that a lot too, and I know exactly the feeling you are talking about.  I still get that feeling now if they start getting aggravated, but now it is because I'm in my shorts and t-shirt, only a veil for bee protection :).

A couple years and you'll learn how to move, how to move slow, how to move and remove frames without making them too mad, etc.  The gloves and protection allow for more mistakes, as you get comfortable feel free to experiment with thinner gloves (latex) and eventually go without gloves, and you'll not regret not wearing all that gear in the middle of the summer!!

And if they stay mad and don't calm down, then get a new queen for some calmer bees.....

Rick

[johnnybigfish]

Oh yeh....There was a day.........
Up until last year I didnt smoke or suit up or anything! 3 years of no reason to do it :)
Now tho......Smoke has turned out to be a "Must" for me..Even when I would go to just feed them!...Last years honey day was horrendous!!!Like Iddee said....50 to 150 stings in a matter of minutes  really opens your eyes to what you're dealing with! My bees now deserve alot more respect from me!
Sometimes I even wear my veil now! :-D...But,....heat...or stings....stings or heat...Its still a toss up!
your friend,
john

[Sparky]

The veil at the least should be worn when you work your bees. Have you noticed that they go for your face. If you get stung in the eye the venom could cause you to go blind.

[melliphile]

I usually keep a smoker lit but don't always use it. If they are in good spirits then I usually ditch the veil, as well. I judge the hive's mood and act accordingly. Smoke can be disruptive, so if they are happily working away and paying no heed to me, why smoke them? If they are ill tempered then I will definitely smoke them and keep the veil.

[JP]

Smoking bees is not disruptive as some think and it could very well save your life. Smoking them after they are angry off is like giving a dog a treat after its bitten you.

A little puff in the entrance and a little between the top cover and hive body is usually all it takes for a pleasurable bee keeping experience.


...JP

[Michael Bush]

There is always a way for the bees to get in.  You just have to have enough of them determined enough for long enough...

[brer]

Something I wonder about is time of day.

I usually work my bees in the evening, but I am thinking about going to the morning for calmer bees.  I just started using smoke last month after they finally started getting a bit aggressive defending their hive.

[Michael Bush]

I work them when I can... which often means right up to dark, but they will be in a better mood in the middle of the afternoon...

[CVBees]

Michael, the day, and it will come, that you receive 50 to 150 stings in 3 to 5 seconds, you will start using smoke. I just hope you are prepared for it when it happens.

Nice signature line.