Bee stings

[van from Arkansas]

I just got stung under the eye yesterday and thinking about throwing in the towel.  This hive is so unpredictable.  One minute it is gentle as a lamb and next they are killer bees.  If this is the norm for southern FL I have to give it up.

Give up the bees????  Ace, you gonna join the NRA too, then vote for that guy with the Red...  Trying to make a point, with humor intended.

I remember when you caught the swarm, last Spring that moved into your equipment.  Mr. Ace, you were excited, thrilled you were...

Van

[Acebird]

Are you wearing a veil?

Not mowing the lawn.  I pretty much wasn't wearing anything but a pair of shorts.
Van, I was excited.  Still would be if I could count on local genetics.  I don't think I can.
Buying a queen would be a solution up north.  Down here I'm not to sure.  There is a problem of acceptance and the fact that the queen might be replaced in a short time.  BTW my eye is perfectly fine now.  My wife would not fare as well.

[van from Arkansas]

Glad you eye is better.  Ace, are you saying there is a difference in the northern bee you raised compared to these southern bees, relative to queen acceptance/supersedure?  Do to different climates, flow etc?  I believe you were in New York area and now Florida, talk about environmental change, well,  you have experience it.  From snow man to sand man, from winter cluster to year round foragers.

Elaborate for me, Ace, this is very interesting regarding the bees with aggression/calm behavior!!!!

[Acebird]

Don't get me wrong, we have testy bees in the north but very little africanized genetics.  They only get there by packages and because of their behavior don't winter well.  There is also a desire to exterminate them.
BTW I mowed the lawn near the hive with a hand mower yesterday.  Then I ran the tractor over that area to get past the hive.  No problem what so ever.  The only thing I can imagine is that the dang coco nuts float out of the ground because of all the rain and the shrapnel took out some bees and that set them off.  So for the moment I am keeping the hive.

[Acebird]

Ace, are you saying there is a difference in the northern bee you raised compared to these southern bees, relative to queen acceptance/supersedure?

Not really but...
If you are buying a queen then there is usually a problem with the hive.  The queen gets blamed for problems in the hive so it is not uncommon for the queen to be replaced after she initially gets accepted.  I remember a time back that there were complaints of queens being superseded shortly after being introduced.  I also think if the hive is truly africanized it will be harder to get the queen accepted that she won't be replaced.  That might be the only difference between the two areas.

[Bushman]

I was doing a quick check before vacation to see if the bees were working the new super I had added and so I popped the outer cover, saw a few bees, no big deal and no high pitched buzzing.

I popped the inner cover and there were a lot of bees on the new undrawn frames and within 2 seconds the buzz pitch went up and they came out.

I got nailed twice on the forearm and once on the shin.  I was not wearing any protection.

I quickly ran back to the garage and suite up and put the covers back on but boy oh boy did my arm and leg swell.  Painful to the touch for a couple days.

I came back from vacation, suited up and tried to do a full hive inspection but once I got past the 2 supers and into the upper brood box I heard the high pitched buzz and they came out in force again.  One got me right on the knuckle through my gloves.

I smoked the glove and walked away for a minute and then came back and put the hive back together.

Up until now they have been very peaceful.

I'm wondering if they will sting through my bee-suit if i persist on the inspection.  I need to check for mites too.

[yes2matt]

I was doing a quick check before vacation to see if the bees were working the new super I had added and so I popped the outer cover, saw a few bees, no big deal and no high pitched buzzing.

I popped the inner cover and there were a lot of bees on the new undrawn frames and within 2 seconds the buzz pitch went up and they came out.

I got nailed twice on the forearm and once on the shin.  I was not wearing any protection.

I quickly ran back to the garage and suite up and put the covers back on but boy oh boy did my arm and leg swell.  Painful to the touch for a couple days.

I came back from vacation, suited up and tried to do a full hive inspection but once I got past the 2 supers and into the upper brood box I heard the high pitched buzz and they came out in force again.  One got me right on the knuckle through my gloves.

I smoked the glove and walked away for a minute and then came back and put the hive back together.

Up until now they have been very peaceful.

I'm wondering if they will sting through my bee-suit if i persist on the inspection.  I need to check for mites too.

Are you smoking the hive (like in thru the entrance) before you start opening it up or are you waiting til they're wound up already?

How is your nectar flow? Bees are much more testy in a dearth.

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[.30WCF]

Happy August.


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[Ben Framed]

"I popped the inner cover and there were a lot of bees on the new undrawn frames and within 2 seconds the buzz pitch went up and they came out."

You did not mention using a smoker. Did you smoke them?

"I got nailed twice on the forearm and once on the shin.  I was not wearing any protection. I'm wondering if they will sting through my bee-suit if i persist on the inspection. I need to check for mites too."

Doubtful they will sting through if it is the three layer ventilated type.

[Bushman]

I was doing a quick check before vacation to see if the bees were working the new super I had added and so I popped the outer cover, saw a few bees, no big deal and no high pitched buzzing.

I popped the inner cover and there were a lot of bees on the new undrawn frames and within 2 seconds the buzz pitch went up and they came out.

I got nailed twice on the forearm and once on the shin.  I was not wearing any protection.

I quickly ran back to the garage and suite up and put the covers back on but boy oh boy did my arm and leg swell.  Painful to the touch for a couple days.

I came back from vacation, suited up and tried to do a full hive inspection but once I got past the 2 supers and into the upper brood box I heard the high pitched buzz and they came out in force again.  One got me right on the knuckle through my gloves.

I smoked the glove and walked away for a minute and then came back and put the hive back together.

Up until now they have been very peaceful.

I'm wondering if they will sting through my bee-suit if i persist on the inspection.  I need to check for mites too.

Are you smoking the hive (like in thru the entrance) before you start opening it up or are you waiting til they're wound up already?

How is your nectar flow? Bees are much more testy in a dearth.

I smoke as I lift the outer cover and the inner.  I smoke before I begin to pull frames and as often as needed when they start to get a little more active.  I have not smoked the entrance at all.

Yesterday i was watching the bees coming in and going out and there was a lot of activity.  They were flying north across the hay field as far as I could see and also flying west into the woods.  I have no idea what is flowing right now.  I figured it wouldn't be much until the goldenrod comes in.  maybe alfalfa or wild flowers?  We have a lot of alfalfa fields around but they are all getting 2nd cuttings right now.

I'm south central Michigan just 20 minutes south and south west of lansing.

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[Bushman]

"I popped the inner cover and there were a lot of bees on the new undrawn frames and within 2 seconds the buzz pitch went up and they came out."

You did not mention using a smoker. Did you smoke them?

"I got nailed twice on the forearm and once on the shin.  I was not wearing any protection. I'm wondering if they will sting through my bee-suit if i persist on the inspection. I need to check for mites too."

Doubtful they will sting through if it is the three layer ventilated type.

It is a standard white one piece non vented.  Haven't been stung thru it yet but I also quit the inspection when they get aggravated. 
Being a new beek can be frustrating but I still like it.

[yes2matt]

I was doing a quick check before vacation to see if the bees were working the new super I had added and so I popped the outer cover, saw a few bees, no big deal and no high pitched buzzing.

I popped the inner cover and there were a lot of bees on the new undrawn frames and within 2 seconds the buzz pitch went up and they came out.

I got nailed twice on the forearm and once on the shin.  I was not wearing any protection.

I quickly ran back to the garage and suite up and put the covers back on but boy oh boy did my arm and leg swell.  Painful to the touch for a couple days.

I came back from vacation, suited up and tried to do a full hive inspection but once I got past the 2 supers and into the upper brood box I heard the high pitched buzz and they came out in force again.  One got me right on the knuckle through my gloves.

I smoked the glove and walked away for a minute and then came back and put the hive back together.

Up until now they have been very peaceful.

I'm wondering if they will sting through my bee-suit if i persist on the inspection.  I need to check for mites too.

Are you smoking the hive (like in thru the entrance) before you start opening it up or are you waiting til they're wound up already?

How is your nectar flow? Bees are much more testy in a dearth.

I smoke as I lift the outer cover and the inner.  I smoke before I begin to pull frames and as often as needed when they start to get a little more active.  I have not smoked the entrance at all.

Yesterday i was watching the bees coming in and going out and there was a lot of activity.  They were flying north across the hay field as far as I could see and also flying west into the woods.  I have no idea what is flowing right now.  I figured it wouldn't be much until the goldenrod comes in.  maybe alfalfa or wild flowers?  We have a lot of alfalfa fields around but they are all getting 2nd cuttings right now.

I'm south central Michigan just 20 minutes south and south west of lansing.

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Well the sawdstmker (Jim) method is to put a few puffs of smoke in thru the entrance, wait ten minutes, then proceed with opening the hive. I don't ever wait a full 10, but I think this way is helpful.

Also, something I learned at BeeFest 2019 is how sensitive bees are to vibration. I banged a frame against the box to shake the bees off and a miracle happened,  all the beekeepers agreed!  No banging! Don't make any more vibrations than are necessary. Since then I've gotten smoother in the yard (and faster too, since I have to plan ahead for smoothness) and that's helped a lot.

Generally you can tell if they're on a nectar flow if they have plenty of cells with open wet (shakes out) nectar.

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[Bob Wilson]

Yes Matt,
I learned a lot at BeeFest this year.
And I agree, I am smoother, more careful, confident, and a better beekeeper.

[amymcg]

Any time I have opened anything for a ?quick check? without smoke and a veil I have regretted it.


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