Bees HATE black!!

[TX Ashurst]

My brother came to visit me last weekend and we went out to the farm where I keep most of my bees. I have a hive in a metal cylinder out there and I'm trying to decide how to tackle that sticky wicket. I hoped my civil Eng. bro would help, but he had nothing to offer. So we looked into another hive I had there that needed a patty of candy. It was a cold day and I was wearing brightly colored clothes, but I forgot to take off my black, fingerless work gloves. I thought the bees would all stay inside where it was warm anyway.
I set the patty of feed into the hive and I was amazed at how instantly and how many bees made a beeline ;) to those gloves - stinger first! It was like it was hailing bees and each made a noticeable impact on my hand. I quickly retreated and the gloves were covered in PO'd bees. Not a single one stung me but they sure worked those gloves over! We stood there and talked about bees for a while as the bees one by one gave up and flew back to the hive. Only one left its stinger in a glove, and two got too cold to return, so we used them for apitherapy. tongue.gif

It's just a reminder: Bees absolutely HATE black.

[Sundance]

Been there, done that....... :eek:
5 stings in a second or two.

[Cyndi]

I don't know about that. I have 9 solid black cats and 1 big black Rottweiler. The cats sleep in areas all around the hives, chase bees and dog's house is right next to one hive too. The only time they freak out is when I'm working the hives, they all scatter, except the dog. I taught him to stay "still" and he's fine now. I have Italian bees.

[BjornBee]

My wife a few years back would help me in the yards and she would wear one of those scrunchy thingies to put her hair up in the back. Yeap, you guessed it,...black! She got hit several times before she changed the color. I laughed alot.

[xC0000005]

Hmmm. I wear my black leather jacket to inspect the hive at times. I guess my bees aren't as upset by black.

[TX Ashurst]

Cyndi, if the dog stays low and still, it will be OK, but you don't want to get the bees disturbed when he's around unless you want to teach him new tricks. Bees are most sensitive to whatever is entering their hive, but if they get mad, they'll go looking for trouble sometimes. Sounds like you have pretty savvy cats ;)

xC0005, I think you are tempting fate. My bees are very gentle and I often open them without even a veil if I'm not going too far into them, but black suede and black fuzzy fabric will drive them completely nuts. Anything black irritates them to some extent.

I made this post just to share this basic rule of beekeeping. Wear light colors if you want to get along with your bees.
There is a good reason why all bee suits are snowy white.

Have fun and enjoy your bees. smile.gif

[Hobie]

Perhaps it is because bears and skunks and other predators are dark furred?

TX wrote: "There is a good reason why all bee suits are snowy white."

Methinks you mean "...why all bee suits were once snowy white" :D

[ScadsOBees]

I was helping an aquantance who'd started beekeeping with his daughter and without any help or mentor. One of the problems that he was having is that the bees seemed so aggressive.

When I got there to help I noticed first the black sweater that he was using for some sting protection, and then the dark gloves he had on. When we opened up the hive the bees would fly right past me at him. He found a different sweater and new gloves and all was fine.

Interestingly, I think that all but the newest beesuits are all mostly "spring day snowy yellow" smile.gif

[TX Ashurst]

He, he. Yeah, they are snowy white when they're new. After that they're Pennsylvania steel mill snow white, or Utah Sulphur mine snow white, or perhaps snow in a raging, muddy river white. Lots of interesting shades of white.

[Black Creek]

gets me to thinking about earlier this year when i once worked my hive wearing nothing but a pair of cut off jean shorts and the bees didnt even seem to notice me.... obviously a sign that i needed a tan !!!

[ScadsOBees]

That is a good thought, matt, although I don't think the neighbors would think so.
Shirtless I would make a brand new snowy white beesuit look like it came out of the coal mines!!!

-rick

[wayacoyote]

I wear a white bandana on my head when I work the bees. Last year, at a field day, I forgot to put it on. Everyone was standing around in protective gear wondering why I was walking away from the hive... until they saw me pull a bee out of my hair. At least I provided an object lesson.

I'm engaged to a girl I met there. I often reflect on how interesting I found her to be that day. She often reflects on my getting stung. I like to think that I was "smitten."

Waya

[Michael Palmer]

A few years back, I had a new employee who went to the bee yards with me. I told him to wear an old white shirt. He shows up in a black Mega-Death sleevless T-shirt. Cute! There he goes...through the gate...across the hay field...and gone! Never did come back, nor pick up any pay. Hee he heee!!

[Sasha]

It's interesting how much the bees like black smelly socks smile.gif
They sting so enthusiastic.