Attack of the Hair Attacking Bees?

Shizzell · May 16, 2007, 02:00:04 PM

Hey guys.

Story to tell: I was at one of my cousins apiaries (for mother's day) that they ship to california every winter and then ship back to minnesota during the summer. I decided to go visit them out in the pasture. I went to within 50 yards of the hives and 5 or 6 bees buzzed in my hair. I got stung 5 times on the face. I found plantain in the pasture so it didn't swell at all. (except for the following morning when I didn't have any more plantain) Anyways, I went back around an hour later with my cousin, and around 100 yards away, there we go again, in my hair - me running at full bore, cousin laughing, him not getting bees anywhere around him. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??! I'ved had this happen a couple of times with my hives, but not so bad. These however are extremely established hives, and all of them are about to swarm in about a couple more days of warm weather. They are literally 90% covered on the outside of the hive. I'm pretty sure they are not africanized. My Shampoo: "Head & Shoulders - Citric Breeze" or something like that.

Any of you with this experience?

Jake

Jerrymac · May 16, 2007, 02:06:32 PM

Quote from: Shizzell on May 16, 2007, 02:00:04 PM
Citric Breeze" or something like that.

Perhaps that says it all.

Shizzell · May 16, 2007, 02:10:38 PM

Bah. Probably.

:'(

I <3 the head & shoulders though!

Jake

JP · May 16, 2007, 08:56:28 PM

Bees like my hair as well, it is dark black.

reinbeau · May 16, 2007, 09:53:53 PM

My husband had used some soap on his hair when we were travelling, I forget what it was, but it had a fragrance (he usually uses Ivory soap, never shampoo). We went to Don's place in Lula, and the bees were very interested in his head! :-D He's never had that problem before or since, so we know it was the scent in the soap.

Brian D. Bray · May 17, 2007, 01:49:18 AM

My question would be--what did you have to eat or drink just before you went out to look at the bees?

It has been my experience that drinks like coca-cola, pepsi-cola, coffee, Mt Dew etc, have a high caffiene content and the bees will attack those who have recently drank some. There are also other food and drinks that have a tendency to get the hackles up on bees. Everything else being equal, the bees will go for the caffiene drinker over the non-caffiene drinker any day of the week.

Understudy · May 17, 2007, 08:58:57 AM

Quote from: Brian D. Bray on May 17, 2007, 01:49:18 AM
My question would be--what did you have to eat or drink just before you went out to look at the bees?

It has been my experience that drinks like coca-cola, pepsi-cola, coffee, Mt Dew etc, have a high caffiene content and the bees will attack those who have recently drank some. There are also other food and drinks that have a tendency to get the hackles up on bees. Everything else being equal, the bees will go for the caffiene drinker over the non-caffiene drinker any day of the week.

Based on that I should be covered in bees. I live on Mountain Dew.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Michael Bush · May 17, 2007, 09:32:10 AM

Bees like to pull hair. It's a defense mechanism that doesn't get you killed. It's why robber bees are dark and wet looking.

Shizzell · May 17, 2007, 01:47:38 PM

Really micheal? Interesting!

I suppose I would do that if I was a bee.
Yes, that has to be it. My cousin is almost bald, and me with thick brown hair about 2 inches long.

Hmmm... Time to get a haircut and a shampoo that doesn't smell at all.

Jake

MrILoveTheAnts · May 17, 2007, 02:04:29 PM

My bees have recently started doing this too. They do it for a time every year for a week or two after I've messed with them. I'm told because they recently split (5 times) they're all on edge until they get a new queen in the hives.

Understudy · May 18, 2007, 03:48:07 AM

I want it long, straight, curly, fuzzy
Snaggy, shaggy, ratty, matty
Oily, greasy, fleecy
Shining, gleaming, streaming
Flaxen, waxen
Knotted, polka-dotted
Twisted, beaded, braided
Powdered, flowered, and confettied
Bangled, tangled, spangled, and spaghettied!

And attractive to bees?

:)

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Jerrymac · May 18, 2007, 05:29:14 AM

A home for the fleas
a hive for the buzzing bees

That is in the song you know.

Shizzell · May 18, 2007, 02:20:54 PM

Great Song. I wonder if I didn't swat at those bees pulling on my hair if they would have stung me...

Jake

Mici · May 18, 2007, 03:02:44 PM

the best way to get rid of those few pesky bees? (there is always at least one guard that will fly at you no matter what)
the best way is to let it tangle in your hair and you kill her with a strong short stroke on the head. now, i know i shouldn't be killing bees but hey! it's always in self-defence!

Jerrymac · May 18, 2007, 03:59:01 PM

Quote from: Mici on May 18, 2007, 03:02:44 PM
the best way to get rid of those few pesky bees? (there is always at least one guard that will fly at you no matter what)
the best way is to let it tangle in your hair and you kill her with a strong short stroke on the head. now, i know i shouldn't be killing bees but hey! it's always in self-defence!

But if she should happen to release the attack pheromone when you do that the rest will come for you.

Understudy · May 18, 2007, 08:07:35 PM

Quote from: Jerrymac on May 18, 2007, 05:29:14 AM
A home for the fleas
a hive for the buzzing bees

That is in the song you know.

You bet I do, beacuse This was the dawning of the age of aquarius. :) (Song 1)

Put your hair in a baseball cap.

Sincerely,
Brendhan