Ouch!!! First blood

[devdog108]

Well, my latest sting is in the cheekbone just below my ear. It beats finger tip and after removing the stinger, I am bleeding oddly enough. I was also chased about 300 yards to my house. I was NOT impressed with the amount of GR they were bringing in, so I placed my feeder up there to see if it would do any good, and to see if they would take it. Well, they have taken 2 gallons TODAY.....and have been in riot mode. Hence the cheek bone sting. I was just watching the feeder as it was on its last leg for feed. One got me in the cheek and about 10 followed me butting me in the back of the head as as I ran away...LOLOL. I went back out in full riot gear(my suit) and as soon as I got outside, it's like they were waiting on me....jeez....lolol. They are SO lucky i care about them. I pulled off the feeder so as not to drown any bees and they followed me again....So i diverted over into the woods to walk through some brush and LOW AND BEHOLD, I found my hive that left. I was wondering where they went. I had 5 swarms go across my back yard this year alone and the last one, the queen and 99% of the bees left the hive the next morning never to be seen again. Grabbed my smoker, and gave a small puff, and WOW, they have been busy. They have more stores than my hive does. Gonna leave them alone till spring and then maybe hive them then.....what a day...jeez..... Oh yeah, and the face really does hurt...

[Dalantech]

Early last year I went to photograph a hive that I've shot before, and the girls were pretty docile in the past. A few hours before my wife sprayed me with some mosquito repellent, and I don't think that the bees liked it because as soon as I got close to the comb they went on alert. Ended up with no photos and two bee stings -the one on my left temple made that side of my face and my tongue go numb...

[devdog108]

Well Dal, the stings that you take are well worth it to me...LOLOL. Your photos are stunning and really brings some insight and a closer look at the bees....Still, the face is no good. Pain is gone now, minor swelling. I have taken enough stings to not swell that bad.....Just never had one bring blood before...

[Dalantech]

Good to hear that you're feeling better!

I looked at the stings as the girl's way of letting me know who's in charge

[theriverhawk]

Dev...
Sorry, but I did have to laugh at your exploits...Been there bro.

As far as your girls bringing in the golden rod...this rain is killing us! IF we get two days in a row of sun and no rain, it's on the second day that they finally start pulling in the GR. Unfortunately, we've only had a few times when we've had truly sunny/dry days in a row. The GR is everywhere but they just aren't able to get to it thanks to the rain. Like you, I'm feeding. Only about 2 qts a week as I split all my hives back in July and August. I'm with ya, though, on the GR.

[CentralPAguy]

LOL -- On Sunday, I took a kiss right next to the nose. I really should eat two bars of soap. My mom would be so ashamed. I always say what goes on in the beeyard, stays in the beeyard.

I was in a hurry and forgot to zip up my suit -- Nothing like having all the equipment and forgetting to do something so basic. lol

Wierd thing, is that it gave me an instant headache, but no swelling. Everytime, I smiled, I got an ache. You can't even tell that I was kissed.

[NC-Bee-Dude]

Hey Dev!

Remember the other day when I posted that my hive went absolutely ape-hockey when I did my inspection and sugar shake? Well I was talking to some old-time, very knowledgable beeks about it, and they say that that type of behavior is very common at this time of year. They say that come spring, they'll do an about face and be as gentle as lambs again.

Sorry about the sting though, my friend.

But like mine that chased me in the house the other day and three came inside, sounds like yours did the same. WHo knows..maybe they're cousins!

Mark

[pcord]

The minute I put feeders on my hives a week ago, my bees became WICKED! I open the top and they come boiling out at me. A suit is a must for me right now.

[devdog108]

the one that got me in the cheek died painfully i can assure you....lol. They are meaner than a snake when i feed them. I am outta town for the next few days up hwere in Chattanooga. Curious to see how they are when I get back! Oddly, i have not swelled at all. Small lump that itches, but i guess my immunity has built up. I will say the one that got me on the fingertip about 2 weeks ago..it never swelled, BUT, the skin on my finger just peeled away. Like a blister, it was weird.....

[Hambone]

Man....I thought this was going to be a Rambo thread.

[NC-Bee-Dude]

Man....I thought this was going to be a Rambo thread.

Derek, based on the behavior of the bees lately, it IS a Rambo thread!

[xgrove]

I hope this post isn't too far off subject but I need some serious advise on my next suit.

This is my second year raising bees. My first two hives were very docile. A fellow bee club member found out that he was allergic and I ended up with his hive.

These new ladies, well, aren't ladies: They're demons! I have a basic setup: Used, baggy Dadant coveralls, pullover veil and leather gloves. I have used this setup hundreds of times without incident. In the words of Inspector Clouseau "Not any moooore". Due to heavy rains, the hive stand was starting to lean precariously. I decided to level the hive. After smoking the bees and separating the honey supers from the brood chamber I was engulfed in bees. Not to worry, I'm protected. After the 4th or 5th sting THROUGH the suit AND my Levis I said (to no one in particular) "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH". Bees up the legs. Bees under the veil. Bees stinging through the sleeves.

So, if you were going to buy a new suit to protect yourself against African Killer bees (just thinking ahead), what suit would you buy?

Insights greatly appreciated.

RG

[honeyman46408]

So, if you were going to buy a new suit to protect yourself against African Killer bees (just thinking ahead), what suit would you buy?Insights greatly appreciated.RG

http://www.honeymoonapiaries.com/

[xgrove]

That seems to be the ticket. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

RG

[tecumseh]

devdog writes:
Well, they have taken 2 gallons TODAY.....and have been in riot mode.

tecumseh:
this suggest they are very hungry with lots of empty space in the hive.

I suspect some 'other' hives have been helping themselves to this well spring of nectar and thus the frenzy and thus their defensiveness. At this time of year almost any feeding of syrup will create a bit of robbing behavior.

ps... due to the great kindness of sundance I have in my pocession a ultra breeze jacket. works extremely well and I think due to the kind of fabric mass stinging events are somewhat limited. if the suit does have a downside it is that visibility thru the veil is somewhat limited. that is/// I can in adequate lighting see eggs in my string type veil but cannot see the same eggs with the ultra breeze.

[devdog108]

hey tec,

WE had a decent GR flow going and they stopped taking sugar water, so I backed off while it was blooming. It had just stopped when i fed them. I did an insoection about a week and a half ago and they were pretty low on stores. The lower deep was almost emptym but full of brrod and pollenand the upper med was full of brood and honey. Thats when i started to feed them, and yes, you are right, they have help, and I found the help in a tree not too far from the hive I have. I think its the swarm that didnt stay hived this past year. No matter, I'll feed them both......