banana smell

[kayakdg]

I did a hive eviction ftom an old barn today all went well I got a very strong hive 10 frames of brood and about 100 lbs of honey. When I was taking the bees out of my bee vac there was a strong smell of ripe bananas. Is that the I'm mad as hell smell. Thanks Dan

[abeille]

Hi Dan,

you are right, the banana-like odor that you smelled is produced by Isopentyl acetate, a pheromone excreted by the Koschevnikov gland when the sting is everted.

Hugo

[mark williams]

yep,Mad as hell>>>>Mark

[kayakdg]

There were many stingers in my gloves and they found 4 or 5 spots to get me through my bee suit I was working a hive a few weeks ago and smelled ripe melons any thoughts
Thanks Dan

[Michael Bush]

They can send it out without stinging you. I'm not sure they can sting you without sending it out. I've had them buzz my face and you can tell they sprayed it in the air right at my face by how strong it is. After that you've been "marked for death".

[Zeke]

I've alawys wondered does the banana smell
stay in one's beesuit for some time ??
as if it is a territory thing kinda like a male dog marking his territory ??
Zeke

[Michael Bush]

I think it stays for some time at a level that the bees can smell it. More like marking you for death than marking their territory.