Breathing on the bees

[dprater]

Veil is on when I do this. I'm not stupid I just have bad breath ;).
I go without gloves or a jacket sometimes but have not got brave enough to not use a veal. This is my second year maybe I will do that as time goes by but for now I like the veal.

Bad breath dan

[sc-bee]

sounds like youall need to brush yo teeth  i am always blowing on them to move them around. but never without smoking them first.as dan says.

and I know you use a veil shirtless wonder  :-P

[MsCarol]

OK, I noted something the other day when checking my girls

I had drank a beer with my lunch and along the lines of the glass of wine, I knew that might not be good to breathe on the bees. So I ruffled around and found a peppermint hard candy to suck on while checking the hives. I had less "bees in face" (WITH a veil on - thank-you), then I have had before.

Does anyone think there is a connection??

[millipede]

Bees seem to like  a lot of the essential oils. Might be you are on to something. I am willing to test this theory. I have a hive out back that hates it when I breath even close to them right now lol. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow.

[sc-bee]

Some folks rub wintergreen rubbing alcohol on their hands before working a hive. Claims it repels the bees.

[MsCarol]

Some folks run wintergreen rubbing alcohol on their hands before working a hive. Claims it repels the bees.

I tried some of that in hopes of keeping the tickley sweat bees off the arms. I hate to squash any pollinator but they were about to carry me off. It didn't work......for them.

[bud1]

some folks aren't too fond of vails either  I put on a jacket and vail about 2 times a yr. just be easy or or wham bam them if they get pissy but give them a chance to decide and you probably gona be surprised. bees aren't as bad as most people think, but you who put on yo gloves and suit and go to smashing them up. you will never  handle bees no matter how much you know

[Sparky]

Veil is on when I do this. I'm not stupid I just have bad breath ;).
I go without gloves or a jacket sometimes but have not got brave enough to not use a veal. This is my second year maybe I will do that as time goes by but for now I like the veal.

Bad breath dan

You may want to continue to do as you do now Dan. If you take a sting here and there that is OK because you are a beekeeper, however when they turn on you when you do not expect it and go for the face as they will do, it only takes one sting in the eye sometimes to loose it.

[millipede]

I generally don't wear a veil or suit either but if not I do wear safety goggles. They are a lot cooler. Admittedly I did get sting on the chin a few days ago and it swelled up real nicely lol. It's just so stinking hot here.
I did try a drop of Anise on my tongue today. The bees would have none of it. They still came out like I was attacking the place. I am out of wintergreen candy lol. I'll have to try that later.

[Brian D. Bray]

Old timers used to crush flowers in their hands before entering a hive to keep from being stung sans gloves, herbs worked better than most flowers.  Unfortunately the practice pretty much died out after WWII. 

[squidink]

They don't like strong smells, as mentioned wine breath they hate plus garlic breath too!