Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Frantz on July 06, 2008, 06:25:21 pm
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So, I have seen videos of JP, Robo, and others working their hives without smoke, veil, and or other protection. I have really calm hives and have enjoyed sting free, and fear free visits to them all year. Granted our year is just getting started with the late winter and being high elevation. But anyway, I figured that my bees were pretty good and decided to give it a try. Mostly just because I wanted to check this one hive but did not have my gear with me. Wow,, I have to admit that got my blood pumping a little. No smoke, no veil, just shorts and a short sleeve shirt. It went great. I only pulled two frames and saw what I needed to, but it was an adventure. Just a quick little visit and I was out of there. One gal followed me for a while and got obnoxious. I finally had to swat her away. But for the most part it was great. I would love to be able to do that all the time. I know that fate would catch up pretty quick though.
It was nice to feel a lot closer and be able to see with out squinting through the veil.
Try it, you'll like :evil:
F
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If I don't use smoke, I wear a veil...the bees like my face too much, and I have long hair, so they bump that and get tangled in...I don't like smacking my head hoping to kill the tangled bee before she can find my scalp.
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You may have seen me sans the veil but not the smoker!!
Like the saying goes, what I smoke's got a sting to it!
...JP
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JP, I am putting that on a t-shirt. What is your size?? Its that original? or did you pilpher that from someone else. That is great!!! "What I smoke has got a sting to it!" I love it.
F
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JP, I am putting that on a t-shirt. What is your size?? Its that original? or did you pilpher that from someone else. That is great!!! "What I smoke has got a sting to it!" I love it.
F
A couple of people on beesource use the saying.
...JP
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Small swarm I got off a tree limb about a month ago, I was only wearing shorts, tee shirt, shoes and a hat. Sprayed em with sugar syrup and shook em into a 5 gal bucket and slapped a piece of cardboard over it. Bees all around me, I didn't get stung, the guy I got to hold the ladder 15' below me did. Later he told me he was swatting at them. Now I keep an extra veil in my truck.
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I have to get to the point where they do not try to sting my gloves before I could even contemplate such an activity. I am so new at this that I fully suit up every time I open a hive. Overkill, I am sure, but until my confidence grows, I think safe is better than sorry.
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the time of year has a lot to do with how defensive the bees are. when theres a big time flow going on they don't have time to bother stinging you. wait until they're hanging out with nothing to do.
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I haven't used a veil or any thing, ever really except for two times. Today, and I got stung when I wasn't near the hive! Just my luck.
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I have to get to the point where they do not try to sting my gloves before I could even contemplate such an activity. I am so new at this that I fully suit up every time I open a hive. Overkill, I am sure, but until my confidence grows, I think safe is better than sorry.
Don't feel bad. This is my third year with the bees and I am all suited up. I am just not that courageous
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I sit by the front door and just watch. I open them up you'd better believe i'm gloved veiled and suited up for battle and yeah got my smoke gun beside me.
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the guy I got to hold the ladder 15' below me did. Later he told me he was swatting at them
When shaking swarms, the guy on the bottom really should be suited up...that is the dangerous spot...all them crawling bees gonna find themselves in some uncomfortable dark spot like up a sleeve or under a collar. :shock: :-D
After 5 years or so I'm just getting comfortable to get into some of the hives w/o being fully suited up. white t-shirt and a veil (and pants of course!), trust smoker at my side. It is a relief in the hot summer!
The few times that I've tried opening the hive without any smoke they let me know they don't like it at all.
-rick
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I do quick looks to check food, & have lifted off the top super that has the baggie in it to check for drawn frames NP. Earlier in the season I would take out frames of bees but they are a little grouchier now. I don't usually wear gloves for quick peeks. For deeper investigations I do wear my veil suit & nitrile garden gloves, mostly to keep "stuff" off my hands! Haven't mastered the smoker yet so start w/it, but it goes out by the time I get to the 2nd hive :roll: I don't know how fast they draw during a flow, blackberries are starting & should go on the rest of the month. Jody
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Well, well, well!!! Those that work a hive without head protection, well, hee, hee, I take my hat off to you. When I work my bees (except, yea, if just a quick put-in-the-sugar syrup baggie when feeding or something really short like that), I never, ever go without a veil.
When I have my veil on, I feel like SUPERWOMAN. I can do anything!!! I can't fly though. When I have my veil on, I feel 100% protected. If I get a sting on my body, oh well, carry on. But if I get a sting to my face, and trust me, been there done that....it takes my confidence away. Not going there. I never ever wear gloves, not even my nitrile gloves, too clumbsy, too sweaty. I can be out there with only my tank top and jeans. Oh yes, I always wear jeans too, not matter how hot it is. I would never wear shorts, the thought of a bee climbing inside my shorts makes me shudder. With my veil and jeans I am safe and sound from very vulnerable spots, hee, hee.
When we took our bee courses, no one wore a veil, in retrospect, crazy stuff in my mind's eye, but then I wasn't deeply hands in while taking the courses either.
If my head is protected, I can do anything with the bees, with no worries. I can even work them without smoke, but my preference is to have my burlap filled smoker going at all times too. Last week a bee got under my armpit when I was looking at a frame. I didn't notice it until I put down the frame, yep, that hot, burning sensation. Took a minute to get out the stinger though, thank goodness I don't have hairy armpits, hee, hee. Beautiful day in this wonderful and great life. Cindi
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Well, well, well!!! Those that work a hive without head protection, well, hee, hee, I take my hat off to you. When I work my bees (except, yea, if just a quick put-in-the-sugar syrup baggie when feeding or something really short like that), I never, ever go without a veil.
When I have my veil on, I feel like SUPERWOMAN. I can do anything!!! I can't fly though. When I have my veil on, I feel 100% protected. If I get a sting on my body, oh well, carry on. But if I get a sting to my face, and trust me, been there done that....it takes my confidence away. Not going there. I never ever wear gloves, not even my nitrile gloves, too clumbsy, too sweaty. I can be out there with only my tank top and jeans. Oh yes, I always wear jeans too, not matter how hot it is. I would never wear shorts, the thought of a bee climbing inside my shorts makes me shudder. With my veil and jeans I am safe and sound from very vulnerable spots, hee, hee.
When we took our bee courses, no one wore a veil, in retrospect, crazy stuff in my mind's eye, but then I wasn't deeply hands in while taking the courses either.
If my head is protected, I can do anything with the bees, with no worries. I can even work them without smoke, but my preference is to have my burlap filled smoker going at all times too. Last week a bee got under my armpit when I was looking at a frame. I didn't notice it until I put down the frame, yep, that hot, burning sensation. Took a minute to get out the stinger though, thank goodness I don't have hairy armpits, hee, hee. Beautiful day in this wonderful and great life. Cindi
I don't have hairy armpits either!!! Hahaha
I remember one day being in a hurry, fooling with a swarm, and another colony at the same time that had a feed bag on. Decided to pull the baggie without smoking and feed it to the swarm, pulled the top off and bang, instant stings to the face.
It really doesn't matter how long you're gonna be in the hive its about what happens when you remove the cover, and you can't count on them to greet you in a friendly manner, every time.
...JP
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You know when I received that bee sting under my eye a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my confidence went down. I never, ever even visit them and watch them anymore without at least a veil.
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You'll get over it. Try watching from further away without the veil and then gradually get closer. When you get to head butting range back up a step. Going past head butting range makes the bees more protective. The bees will let you know how close you can get.
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You'll get over it. Try watching from further away without the veil and then gradually get closer. When you get to head butting range back up a step. Going past head butting range makes the bees more protective. The bees will let you know how close you can get.
I hear what you're saying Brian but this one day I had this one lonesome gal just buzzing around my head, making a few circles, just checking me out, I really thought it wanted to drink a drop of sweat, like countless others have done and acted in this same manner, then she decided that it would be more fun to sting me!!
I just didn't expect her to do that, well, you know, you never know sometimes with bees.
...JP
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JP, do you pluck your armpits? Just curious, hee, hee.
When I am doing stuff around the apiary, I don't wear a veil. When I am pulling the grass out from around the colonies to keep the area dry and clear of long grass, I wear a veil. When I mow in the apiary, I wear a veil. When I work the colonies I wear a veil. When I am weeding and working the flowers around the apiary I don't wear a veil. So. I think that the only time a veil is used is when I am within I would say 1 foot of the hives, otherwise, veil-less. Ooops, has Frantz thread been hijacked, sorry if that happened, my fault, hee, hee. Beautiful day in this incredibly beautiful life. Cindi
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JP, do you pluck your armpits? Just curious, hee, hee.
Cindi, thats why he took your snips!! :evil: Sat & watched last night for a long time. A little slug was going into the hive from the bottom..the guard bees would rush out & smack it with their front feet then retreat into the hive further. I was hoping to see one sting it but no luck :-x . I did find a bunch all shriveled up when taking the hive apart after my starving escapade. I hate slugs! They do seem to eat the dead bees around the hive though & have seen em on dog poo..,maybe they have a use after all :? I don't wear a veil when just watching from a couple of feet away. If I get head butts I move a little further away. The green girls seem to be more defensive, always have. One came out after me last night & they had a whole gang guarding the entrance. Jody
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Jody, OK you made me laugh!!! Now I picture JP sitting there trying to cut off every single hairy hair in his armpit with my green snips. But remember, Frantz said that they made up to his place, and he said they were pink, so go figure that one!!! Somehow JP with his magical touch turned them pink before he sent them up to Frantz. Oh how I love the kidding and joshing on the forum with my forum friends, hee, hee.
Watching those bees poke the slug with their front legs is very interesting. I know that bees will take that defensive stance when guarding, like you are describing, I haven't personally seen it, but it seems that they kind of stand on their back legs and uplift the front. Is that what you were kind of seeing? Beauty, have that most wonderful and awesome day, Cindi
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Cindi, exactly but they actually hit the slug w the front feet. They do it to my fingers too! Maybe they didn't want to sting the slug cause it's slow, so gross & they don't want to get slimed? Another gorgeous day today! Jody
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My wife and I have had our first hive for only a couple months and we still suit up. I'd rather focus on being relaxed for right now and getting used to the activities without a lot of concern for getting zapped.
Last week she powdered them without gloves and today I did the same, well sort of. I only removed my gloves after I put back the first super, and I was amazed at the little breeze I felt welling up through the hive as I had my hands over it. Are they doing all that fanning? I never noticed it with gloves. And it was great getting a feeling for pulling out super frames bare handed. Definitely a lot more control and to my knowledge didn't squish a single bee. No stings either, but they seem so calm anyway. I know their disposition is bound to change at some point, but I am amazed. Only 1 sting for each of us so far, and mine was stepping on a bee barefooted by the hive. And I don't have any interest in not using my veil. It doesn't bother me at all and after seeing some of you guys putting your face pictures up, I think I'd like to postpone that little pleasure as long as I can! :shock:
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I guess I'll have to post a pic of my arm pit, sans the snippers of course! :-D
...JP
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Tlyn. You noticed a current of air, that is cool. Yes, hundreds and hundreds of bees fanning can create quite an air current. That is why it is important to have good ventilation in a hive. Going without gloves you will get used to pretty darn quickly. And...another cool thing about going gloveless is that when you come even close to a bee you can feel them, that way they are not harmed.
I remember one day last wintertime I was outside observing my colonies. It was a sunny day, but well below 0 celsius, so it was ding dang cold. I, being the nosey person that I am, wanted to look closely into one of the colonies. I removed the entrance reducer and stuck my head close to the entrance. The likelihood of a bee coming out was remote, they were in the winter cluster. As I placed my face close to this entrance, I felt like I had put my head into a warm and balmy day, somewhere in the South Pacific. The warmth coming from inside the colony that was so clearly felt.....That took me to wonderful places in my mind's eye. I pictured myself down on a warm beach, basking in the sun. Now that may seem weird, but I clearly recall this feeling, this beautiful emotion of warmth and happiness, and the scent of the hive made it even more memorable. Inside the bee colony is very warm, like that beautiful and warm sunny day. Oh dear, I do so ramble sometimes....beautiful and most wonderful day, lovin' and livin' this lovely life we all share. Cindi
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Cindi--well I s'pose that's why we live in Florida! Are you anywhere close to Squamish? My wife and I went camping there last year. Beautiful area!
Yea, was a bit nervous when I felt them walking on my hands, wondering it I was going to get tagged. Main fear is reacting to a sting by dropping the frame.
Tracy
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That is also my biggest fear. Tomorrow I'll have three whole weeks experience in beekeeping. As soon as I start pulling frames I start sweating. I'm so nervous that I'm going to drop a frame or crush some bee (or the queen) pulling frames. Especially putting them back.
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Yea, was a bit nervous when I felt them walking on my hands, wondering it I was going to get tagged. Main fear is reacting to a sting by dropping the frame.
That is also my biggest fear. Tomorrow I'll have three whole weeks experience in beekeeping. As soon as I start pulling frames I start sweating. I'm so nervous that I'm going to drop a frame or crush some bee (or the queen) pulling frames. Especially putting them back.
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For me, the bee stings don't feel the same as hornets, it starts as a small burning sensation, the first time I had to really look to see that I was stung...the hit comes a few minutes later as the venom moves through the tissue. Plenty of time to carefully replace the frame & scrape stinger out! You will get more confident as you work w/your ladies more. I was never afraid of stings, just hurting a bee! Just move carefully & slowly. As you get to know the bees behavior you sort of know (in a VERY general way) what they will do, how they move about the frames & hive & which hive is calmer. Been stung by the green team tons, nary a one from the blue..this could all change in an instant though depending on what the girls are up to & protecting! Jody
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Jody that is my fear to being a new keeper that i'm not going to not recognize or see the queen and either drop her or squash her while fooling with the frames. I would absolutely kick myself if my strong hive was to take a nose dive for something i happen to do accidentally.
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If your queen lets you see her she shines like a beacon..no mistaking her at all. She also moves differently than worker bees, marching is what members here describe, & it's true!! I've only seen one of mine one time. They scoot away from the light so just be very slow & careful giving time for her to move & you should be fine! Jody
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Tracy, I don't live near Squamish, I have never been there, but I know it is a beautiful place. Squamish is kind of northwest of Vancouver, about 2 hours drive. I am kind of northeast of Vancouver, about 1 hour, different direction as you can see. From my place Squamish is about a three hour drive. Beautiful and most wonderful day, lovin' our great life. Cindi