Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 08, 2009, 12:00:26 pm

Title: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 08, 2009, 12:00:26 pm
I got a call about a colony that is inside the concrete blocks that make up the upper portion of the basement wall....it is also part of the block foundation of the tri-level house. There was a chipped block that allowed entry into the basement wall, which is all concrete blocks. The comb is in the holes of the concrete blocks and extends 'who only knows how far'. Tearing out the blocks is not an option....so I was thinking of doing a trapout? But this too is not going to be easy:

They do not want anything 'glued' to the side of the foundation on the side of the house....so that means that using a cone to trap them out is not an option. They also do not want me to place a hive body or nuc near the house and told me that I could put a 'hose' or pipe in the hole and 'pipe the bees' away from the house, as they do not want it looking 'junky'.....and ruining the looks of the house! I would have to run a hose for the bees to exit the colony at least 20 feet away. I never had to deal with anything like this before. Most people are okay about having a nuc or hive body there for a trapout...in this case, they are not going to allow it.

I really am not sure how to deal with this one. Any ideas?

Brenda
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: iddee on May 08, 2009, 12:20:48 pm
Those are the very easiest ones to do. Just quote the paragraph below...

Thank you for the call. The bees will not harm your block, but will help you have a better garden and flower bed. Enjoy them. If you see a swarm the size of a basketball hanging on a low tree or bush each spring, please call me again and I will pick them up for you.  Thank You.

9 times out of 10 they get unpicky real quick. The 10th time, I let them keep their bees.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Kathyp on May 08, 2009, 12:44:43 pm
wow....you go to 10??   :-X

i agree.  it's not worth it.  chances are, nothing you could do would make them happy anyway.  let them call around and find out that no one will take the job, or it will cost them a fortune. 
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Eshu on May 08, 2009, 01:07:38 pm
Yup, some people's houses you shouldn't even touch.  They have given you all the signs - heed them.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: nella on May 08, 2009, 01:08:14 pm
That sure is a tough one, it looks as if you have been given some good suggestions!
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Scadsobees on May 08, 2009, 01:29:35 pm
They probably think that they are doing YOU a favor by calling you to come take the FREE bees that are obviously worth lots of money because all of the bees are disappearing and almost extinct and the few left are probably worth a FORTUNE!!!!

They'll call the exterminator or pour wasp spray in there, a neat and clean solution.   Just like everything in life should be.

Don't forget that they are just bees...it makes us feel bad to have to let them go, but sometimes it just isn't worth it.

Rick
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Bee Happy on May 08, 2009, 01:31:37 pm
In my electrical experience, I was often perturbed by people who were intolerant of the process(es) needed to accomplish the project they wanted. once I was working on my own it was easy to tell them "My methods have been developed over XX years of experience and are the industry standard for the best balance between consideration for the home you live in, other expenses which may be incurred, and  timely execution of the work.  I can try to be a little more creative to accommodate you, but in my experience -having to develop a method to avoid (cutting drywall, making noise, shutting off power, waiting to show up until 7PM, putting lights around your pool without cutting concrete... etc. etc.) will take more time and ultimately cost you much more money.
         I listened to suggestions from my customers because you never know when someone completely uninitiated to the procedures of 'that's just how it is' will suggest something in complete ignorance which is totally brilliant; but most of the time they were just being unrealistic and unwilling to listen to the professional.
   I think iddee said it with the most tact.
  (I would have been a bit more of a wiseacre I'm afraid)
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: charles on May 08, 2009, 01:34:38 pm
If they go the exterminator route, someone ought to tell them that they have to either seal up the hole and all entrances to that cavity perfectly, or find some way to remove the comb to keep new colonies out.

"I'll remove your bees for $100."
"Well, okay but there better not be any trouble."
"Okay, then I'll remove them for $400."
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Kathyp on May 08, 2009, 02:02:41 pm
let them call an exterminator.  this summer, when honey starts dripping down the basement wall, they will wish they'd put up with the "junky" look for a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: wildbeekeeper on May 08, 2009, 02:33:54 pm
many times these "types" of people want to see how far they can go and have control over whomever is working for them....I came across this a number of times while working as a nuisance wildlife control guy....you tell them what is needed and they get fussy.... just walk away and they will either run to get you back or they will call you back after their problem gets worse....and you charge them even more.  Id walk away and tell them to have a nice day...its not worth the aggrevation or money...becasue inevitably they will call you back time and time again because there are "still" bees flying around......
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: vermmy35 on May 08, 2009, 02:36:57 pm
God you got to love iddee's humor  :evil:
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: jdpro5010 on May 08, 2009, 04:39:48 pm
God you got to love iddee's humor  :evil:
Some may call it humor, I call it intelligence and experience!
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 08, 2009, 07:43:25 pm
I already have had the thoughts of telling them 'Good luck!' and walking away.
In fact, once they started telling me 'how to do my work' the red flags flew high. When I walked around to where the bees are, I was told to stay on the mulch and not walk on the grass!  :shock:

I have told them what I needed to do to get the bees gone...if they do not want to do it, maybe then I will tell them that it will be 'double the price' if I am called back...on second thought...they seem to know so much....let them deal with it! I do not think that they will be happy no matter what anyone does for them.

This is good, but then again scarey! The wife asked me what to do to make them stop flying around! She did not like seeing them in her flowers!  :shock: When I told her about bees pollenating fruits and veggies, she still thought that ALL BEES should be killed....that in these modern times, there should be machines to pollen fruits and things!  :?

My Grand Daddy used to say that you cannot have money and brains both....I see what he means.... :roll: These people are loaded and like to show it....they also think that bees are filthy dropping all of that honey all over the place....! They just happen to park their cars right in the flight line from the colony! That really is bee poop on their cars...they think that it is honey!  :evil:

I am going to wait until they call me back tonight.....then tell them that PERFECT SUGGESTION above! TY so much!

Brenda

Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: JP on May 08, 2009, 08:03:14 pm
You must be a very patient type to have put up with so much fluff from these obvious jerks.

The next major red flag you will see concerning these people should be their phone number on your caller ID.

My best advice to you is to not answer that call.

Nothing of any kind is worth the hassle of setting yourself up to be somebody's whipping post.


...JP
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 08, 2009, 08:26:49 pm
I really have a very hot temper...with a short fuse too. I have just learned that over the years, it is this type of people that costs you business in the long run. The idea that they 'think' it is honey on their cars is good enough for me. With age comes wisdom.... :evil: and the chance to see her lick her finger and 'taste the honey' the bees dropped (in a cleansing flight) on her car!  :-D

Brenda
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: G3farms on May 08, 2009, 11:05:17 pm
When they told me to stay on the mulch and off the grass I would have turned around and went back to the truck and drove off without saying a word. Just left them standing there wondering what in the heck just happened.

Run, run fast and far away from these nut jobs, they are nothing but trouble.

Just my thinking.............. I do have lots of time on my hands while I am working on my pollinating machine :-D

G3
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 08, 2009, 11:31:53 pm
Well, they called me back.....and I told them I was not interested....so I got cussed out!  :shock: They hung up on me....and called back immediately, but I did not answer the phone....she left a message on my answering machine....she asked me what they should do?  :roll:

Brenda




Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Kathyp on May 08, 2009, 11:35:27 pm
boy, i can think of a lot of answers to that question.  none of them could be posted here.  :jawdrop:
let them figure it out. 
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: bailey on May 09, 2009, 12:01:35 am
i would invite them to continue to "enjoy their bees"

let some other fool work with this one!

bailey
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: JP on May 09, 2009, 12:18:10 am
You must be a very patient type to have put up with so much fluff from these obvious jerks.

The next major red flag you will see concerning these people should be their phone number on your caller ID.

My best advice to you is to not answer that call.

Nothing of any kind is worth the hassle of setting yourself up to be somebody's whipping post.


...JP

Hate to say I told you so but... ^^^^^^^^^


...JP
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Scadsobees on May 09, 2009, 12:29:19 am
Wow...they cuss you out, hang up, and then have the nerve to call back and ask about what to do?

If I could talk without giggling I'd spin a yarn about how bees are attracted to mulch and that is why they were attracted there in the first place (or some other such thing).

Then they get double the cost of the exterminator and removing the mulch and replacing with stone!!  :evil:
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: G3farms on May 09, 2009, 07:29:20 am
scads that is too funny, I can just see them now hiring somepoor ole landscaper and having to jay boards down on the grass to roll his wheel barrow on while moving that mulch  :-D

JP sounds like you have "been there done that", good call.

Good luck with this one rebel rose.

G3
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: JP on May 09, 2009, 07:49:27 am
scads that is too funny, I can just see them now hiring somepoor ole landscaper and having to jay boards down on the grass to roll his wheel barrow on while moving that mulch  :-D

JP sounds like you have "been there done that", good call.

Good luck with this one rebel rose.

G3

I have been there and was dead serious when I mentioned the best thing is to not answer the phone if they called again.

Rebel Rose, my apologies if I came across harsh. My intention was not to "rub it in", but to stress to everyone out there that these types of people you have described should be avoided like the plague.

...JP
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Jim134 on May 09, 2009, 09:36:11 am
Well, they called me back.....and I told them I was not interested....so I got cussed out!  :shock: They hung up on me....and called back immediately, but I did not answer the phone....she left a message on my answering machine....she asked me what they should do?  :roll:

Brenda

Quote


  Brenda...


     Save your time and money and go buy a nuc.

     Hope you you got pay for looking  :? 

     :lau: :lau: :lau:

                  BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)








   
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 09, 2009, 09:51:46 am
JP,

You were right!  ;) I guess I will be listening to what you say a little more.... :-D

The more I am around people, the more I like my 'killer bees'.

Brenda
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 09, 2009, 10:04:04 am

[/quote]


Rebel Rose, my apologies if I came across harsh. My intention was not to "rub it in", but to stress to everyone out there that these types of people you have described should be avoided like the plague.

...JP
[/quote]

JP, no problem, I understand why you said that!

Out of the past few calls I had for swarms and cut outs. One swarm was a piece of steak (they fed me steak and it was easy to get the bees), another one was 'jellow jackets' and not honey bees, another was for 'bumble bees', the next one had lots of honey bees inside of the insulation of his large metal building....and let the electricians spray them with several cans of hornet spray before I got there.....the next, called me about a colony in the cemetery and later said that a private person had hired another beekeeper to remove them before I got there....now I have this call.... :shock:

Of course this is Illinois....where we have one governor in prison and another about to go there as well....nothing will surprise me after this! I hope.... :?

Brenda
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: JP on May 09, 2009, 11:10:56 am
Brenda, the good people out there far out weigh the bad. I don't mind a challenge myself and I've dealt with some who wound up being great to deal with, that at first were perhaps a little tough to read.

You were right to turn this one down, sorry you got cussed at. You sound like a very nice lady. They don't deserve you.


...JP
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: G3farms on May 09, 2009, 11:29:40 am
rebel rose it sounds like you are due an easy one pretty soon after all of that.

good luck

G3
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 09, 2009, 10:07:25 pm
G3Farms,

I got the easy one this morning in the rain! The people were great and they have a colony in an old travel trailer that I am going to remove next weekend!
It was about time! But does this mean the next few calls are going to be bad ones!!! :?

Brenda
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: G3farms on May 09, 2009, 10:32:22 pm
I sure hope you get many more easy ones in the future!

I've got a big cut out coming up if it will ever quit raining, almost got my bee vac built and looking for some help.

I am fixing to be soooo busy when the sun finaly does come out, baling hay, AI service the cows, bees, trying to hatch some chicks, and have a job also. Good grief I think I have too many irons in the fire.

Good luck on your cut out and hope the sun is shining on you.

How did the swarm go in the rain?

G3
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: SgtMaj on May 09, 2009, 10:34:08 pm
Hopefully not.

Those picky people were just kind the people who would sue you for doing them a favor.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: JP on May 09, 2009, 10:36:22 pm
Will you guys please send some of that rain my way? :'(


...JP
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: fermentedhiker on May 09, 2009, 10:38:51 pm
Will you guys please send some of that rain my way? :'(


...JP

I wish I could JP, haven't had more than one day without showers in weeks.  I'm amazed mushrooms are sprouting in the lawn(they did last year when it rained for a whole month). It also means the black flies and mosquitoes are going to be atrocious this season, the black flies already are.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: JP on May 09, 2009, 10:48:09 pm
 :'( :'( :'( I wish I could exchange my tears for rain, oh well. We have been in a drought for the last 8-9 years. We only get rain now in hurricane season which is way after the spring flows have ended.

But hey, there's always the fall flow!


...JP
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: SgtMaj on May 09, 2009, 10:48:55 pm
You have to do a rain dance JP!  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: SgtMaj on May 09, 2009, 11:12:00 pm
I've got a big cut out coming up if it will ever quit raining, almost got my bee vac built and looking for some help.

When is it coming up?  If I'm available I may be able to lend a hand.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: G3farms on May 09, 2009, 11:19:30 pm
SgtMaj, I'm waiting for some sunshine and need to get back in touch with the property owner. He said he would furnish the scaffolding to reach the hive and even help take the clap board siding down and put it back, can't beat that. Bees have been in there for several years, I think he said seven years. Not sure what to expect.

Will let you know for sure.

Have you done you cut out? If you need help just let me know also, be glad to help if I can fit it in my schedule.

G3
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: SgtMaj on May 09, 2009, 11:28:55 pm
It's first thing tomorrow morning (not IDEAL weather for it, but at least it's not supposed to be raining at that time.  It may end up being a dead-out, but I am still hopeful.  He said he hasn't seen the honeybees this year, but he also said he hasn't been specifically looked to see if they are still there.  I know he hasn't sprayed them and he's fairly sure his neighbor's haven't either, so if nothing else it should be good for some comb.  He is sure that the bumble bees are still there, and I'm going to go ahead and deal with them for him... so that should be fun anyway.  Still of course I'm hoping the honey bee colony will still be alive and well.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: G3farms on May 09, 2009, 11:33:26 pm
My girls are playing their volleyball tournements this weekend, so I'm out, sorry. I would have loved to of helped you.

Waiting on some sunshine for my cut out and have to get with the property owner again, I will let you know though, if you are interested.

G3
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: SgtMaj on May 09, 2009, 11:42:21 pm
That's ok, it's also mothers day.  My wife is already kinda mad at me for scheduling it on mother's day, but with any luck I'll be done before noon.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: patook on May 10, 2009, 03:54:33 am
For future reference, since the options here were trap-out or exterminate, why would a trap-out be better? They would both leave the comb in there?

Perhaps with a trap-out the bees eat a good portion of the stored honey during the process?
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: SgtMaj on May 10, 2009, 05:21:28 am
For future reference, since the options here were trap-out or exterminate, why would a trap-out be better? They would both leave the comb in there?

Perhaps with a trap-out the bees eat a good portion of the stored honey during the process?


With a trap out the bees live, and in the process of getting starved out they'll eat up most of the stores... or so I've heard.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: JP on May 10, 2009, 09:28:02 am
For future reference, since the options here were trap-out or exterminate, why would a trap-out be better? They would both leave the comb in there?

Perhaps with a trap-out the bees eat a good portion of the stored honey during the process?


You called it.

As for the bees in the trap out colony go, their genetics will not survive, but they will live out their lives with the purpose of creating queens from stock from the colony you give them. In essence, they get to live out their lives, happily, with purpose.

One may believe exterminating a colony and being done with it is an option. Far from it.

Bees are amazingly tenacious social insects, masters of survival. I have dealt with my fair share of colonies that have been sprayed 'til the cows came home to no avail.

Iddee, is a master of trapping out bees, and if you observe his comments, he says over and again that removing a colony by performing a cut out is the best option, trap outs come in second.

Exterminating a colony and sealing it up in my opinion should never, ever be an option. I have been there, I hate to say, so I know first hand that in most cases you are going to receive call backs from the customer that the bees are still there.

They have ways of surviving that most people could not ever understand.

I refuse to take any job where I cannot perform a cut out, or a trap out cannot be done successfully, due to an endless amount of exit/entrance holes that could not be sealed.

With a trap out or a cut out there will be scent left behind that will be attractive to future swarms. The challenge once these procedures are completed becomes sealing and caulking potential entrance holes so that other colonies cannot gain access.

This is a job that is simpler said than done, trust me on this one. Buildings have so, so many different openings in them that sealing every last hole could take a life time. But, in most cases if you are thorough enough with your bee proofing you usually can keep them from coming back for some time to come.

Leaving a bunch of honey in a void space to drip out, ferment, and attract ants and other critters, let's not go there.

Perform the cut out, do a trap out, or walk away, this is my best advice.


...JP
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: G3farms on May 10, 2009, 09:39:29 am
well said JP.
Most home owners that have become the new owners of a swarm or hive of bees in their home have a hard time understanding this. It takes a little bit of educating them to bring them around. I had to walk away from one the other day also. Home owner hd sprayed the living day lites out of them, i was a new swarm and they had moved three times trying to avoid the spray.

G3
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: JP on May 10, 2009, 10:01:14 am
G3, the best case scenario as you know, is when the home owner obviously has done nothing at all to the colony.

I've seen situations where spraying was done, that things are so complicated you don't know where to begin.

If I can figure it all out, of course with many questions and thorough inspection and hopefully no lies on the part of the owner, I just may be able to resolve the issue and take the job.

I've seen a few buildings that had multiple hives that were sprayed, honey stains in more than a few locations and the situation is just too unclear to get a hold on things.

I don't have a problem with politely declining on some of these, I try and avoid dealing with nightmares if I can help it.


...JP
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 10, 2009, 10:59:17 am
I am with JP, I am going to do whatever it takes to avoid nightmares like this one was! I got home late last night to find another message on my answering machine....from the same people of course, and they left me a message that they had found someone to get the bees!  :shock: But they had given the new 'beekeeper' my phone number and he was going to call me.... :?

This morning, I got a phone call at about 7:am my time. It was this poor 'beekeeper' that had bought a beekeeping kit last winter and had read all of the book that came with the kit... :-\ He went on to tell me that he had never had bees before, but he felt that he could get these bees with my HELP.
I tried to tell him that it was not worth the effort and why, but he would not listen...so I told him "GOOD LUCK" and hung up the phone. I guess I need to order one of those kits so I can be as confident as he is. :roll:

After reading the book he got in the kit, he KNOWS that he cannot get stung with a suit, gloves and veil, as they are all sting proof....he also knows that the bees need LOTS of smoke to calm them and they can be taken out with a shop vac! He also said that since I was a girl it probably was a good thing that I had not tried to do this one alone.... :-X I ain't saying what i am thinking here.... :-\

Brenda
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: fermentedhiker on May 10, 2009, 11:11:53 am
I am with JP, I am going to do whatever it takes to avoid nightmares like this one was! I got home late last night to find another message on my answering machine....from the same people of course, and they left me a message that they had found someone to get the bees!  :shock: But they had given the new 'beekeeper' my phone number and he was going to call me.... :?

This morning, I got a phone call at about 7:am my time. It was this poor 'beekeeper' that had bought a beekeeping kit last winter and had read all of the book that came with the kit... :-\ He went on to tell me that he had never had bees before, but he felt that he could get these bees with my HELP.
I tried to tell him that it was not worth the effort and why, but he would not listen...so I told him "GOOD LUCK" and hung up the phone. I guess I need to order one of those kits so I can be as confident as he is. :roll:

After reading the book he got in the kit, he KNOWS that he cannot get stung with a suit, gloves and veil, as they are all sting proof....he also knows that the bees need LOTS of smoke to calm them and they can be taken out with a shop vac! He also said that since I was a girl it probably was a good thing that I had not tried to do this one alone.... :-X I ain't saying what i am thinking here.... :-\

Brenda

Hah, he's in for some surprises for sure.  The sad thing is by the time he learns his lesson he'll have done something to upset those picky homeowners and they'll end up taking him to court to fix something.  Oh well everybody has to learn somethings for themselves.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: G3farms on May 10, 2009, 11:28:47 am
Why would he need your help since you are only a "GIRL"!!

HAHAHAHA I got a good laugh out of that, anybody that fools with bees on a regular basis is usually a very hard worker, it is not the most easy hobby or job there is. Takes a lot of thinking since each job is the same but has a different set up.

I hope he has a bottle of benadryl in the truck!!

You should call him back in about a week to see how he made out, hahahahaha I just can't quit laughing.

G3
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: SgtMaj on May 10, 2009, 11:51:56 am
Well, at least the lawsuit will be his problem... still, don't be surprised if the homeowners don't call you back just to say that he got them out just fine and that you just must not be as professional as this new guy that's never seen a honey bee in real life before is.  In fact, I'll put the old mortamer dollar bet on it! 
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Kathyp on May 10, 2009, 12:07:49 pm
Quote
another one was 'jellow jackets' and not honey bees

i ask people to email me a picture.  this cuts down on the yellow jacket calls, but does not eliminate them.  you have to factor in the people who, being afraid of the "bees", will go out the door and take a picture of the first thing they see on a flower.  this is usually a honey bee.  when you arrive, you will be directed to the base of a tree and a nest of yellow jackets  :-\ .

as for the girl thing, it has it's advantages.  i am sure that some of the calls i have gotten from women have come because i am female.  i have also had problems with some of the boys, being accused of going about scooping up low hanging swarms and leaving the hard stuff to them.  at the time i had that email exchange, i had not caught any swarms.  i had only done cutouts.

word of advice:  trust your instincts.  i have gotten some hinky calls.  if the call gives you the creeps, don't go!  if you get there and it feels wrong, leave.  i carry when i go out, but that may not be an option for you.  it's also kind of a PIA when you are doing cutouts.
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 10, 2009, 12:44:49 pm
word of advice:  trust your instincts.  i have gotten some hinky calls.  if the call gives you the creeps, don't go!  if you get there and it feels wrong, leave.  i carry when i go out, but that may not be an option for you.  it's also kind of a PIA when you are doing cutouts.

I was in the repo business for more years than I care to admit, thanks to a male friend I had known since we were toddlers and I learned a lot; taking a car from some people is about as deadly as hugging rattlesnakes. I can handle about anything that they throw at me....and yes, as I usually go alone, I do go protected.  :evil:

I live in a rural/farming area known for meth manufacturing, so I take precautions as needed even when I answer my front door.

I also get calls from little old ladies who are afraid of strange men in 'masks' (veils) or pest control people and they feel much more at ease when I show up to remove the bees. One older lady told me that she had shut off one room of her house, as she was worried about the bees stinging her and her dog.....but did not want to run the risk of having a strange man in her home as she lived alone....then she heard about me and was more than pleased to get rid of those bees! Hers required a very large cut out and I had six totes full of honey comb after I tossed the junk comb into trash bags. I took her some honey later on and she and I are now good friends.

I do feel sorry for the new guy. He told me that he had never been stung by anything and I hope that he is not allergic! I tried to find out what company he ordered the suit and kit from, but he would not tell me! He leaned towards the idea that I wanted to get the book so I knew as much as he did about bees!

I told him early in the phone call that I would give him a few frames of brood and a nuc so he had some bees to start with...and he refused to hear of it!

Who sells those instant professional kits???

Brenda









Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Kathyp on May 10, 2009, 01:21:18 pm
there ya go  :-D
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: iddee on May 10, 2009, 01:45:32 pm
All young ladies should be cross trained in more than one field....

(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/Iddee/Temp/Thefamily009.jpg)

(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/Iddee/Temp/CIMG1308.jpg)
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Rebel Rose Apiary on May 11, 2009, 11:49:22 am
iddee,

That seems to be another family tradition that we share!  ;) I grew up with a gun in my hands! I love the pictures!

Brenda

Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: lenape13 on May 11, 2009, 12:39:15 pm
People can be such idiots, at times.  While this is my first year as a beekeeper, I do work for others, mainly yardwork and small maintainance jobs.  One thing I can't stand is someone with no idea of what is involved in a job trying to tell me how to do it.  I can't tell you how many times I have walked away from a tree trimming or removal simply because the homeowner tells me how he would cut it.  (Meanwhile he doesn't know the difference between a chainsaw and a hammer... :?)  In situations like that, it is far  better to walk away.

As for women in the workforce, my mother worked with my father and I in our tree cutting for many years, until illness prevented it.  Now my girlfriend helps, while working her own full-time job, plus raising chickens and helping me with my bees.  (Oh, and yes, she's been known to pick up a rifle and shoot at Bambi and his kin, too! 8-))  I guess someone needs to educate the lad...
Title: Re: This One Has Me Stumped
Post by: Scadsobees on May 11, 2009, 01:39:07 pm

After reading the book he got in the kit, he KNOWS that he cannot get stung with a suit, gloves and veil, as they are all sting proof....he also knows that the bees need LOTS of smoke to calm them and they can be taken out with a shop vac! He also said that since I was a girl it probably was a good thing that I had not tried to do this one alone.... :-X I ain't saying what i am thinking here.... :-\

Brenda

Hilarious!  I can just see this poor ignorant know-it-all opening up the shop vac and pouring the pile of squished bee parts into the hive kit thinking "Boy these are sure docile.  Maybe I should pour some sugar water on them to liven them up a little"!!!

Sorry, what is sure a PIA for you sure makes good conversation here!!  :-P

Rick