[wyobee]

Tonight, I moved 4 hives to a new location, and holy cow the girls were not happy about it! I must have a hole in my suit because I took about 30 stings to my neck and face! I can handle one or two, but 30!!!! What on earth did I do wrong, and more importantly does anyone have a good method to deal with stings!
Thank you from a suffering beek!

 

[honeybeekeeper]

Ouch!!!...Sounds like the ladies did not want to go for a ride! WOW

 

[Bighorn06]

I would get a benedryl in me asap, before the swelling gets too bad. And not stay alone, just in case you have a reaction.

 

[sqkcrk]

Can't really offer much help w/ the pain. Tylenol maybe?

Sounds like you are getting an education. Remember, education is not free, no matter which school you go to. Proper preperation and quality equipment go along way to making your educational experience an enjoyable one.

So, what do you think that you have learned from this exercise? How did you execute the move? What did you do right? What would you do differently?

 

[timgoodin]

I take Claratin generic anyway for allergies. When I get a lot of stings (more than 15 or 20) I take an extra one and it keeps the swelling down. That and tylenol is about all I know to do.

Tim

 

[Beeslave]

Did you smoke them before picking them up? Did you leave your vehicle running when you arrived at the new location so the vibration of the running vehicle kept them in while they were unloaded? Did you use a bright light so you could see what you were doing? Did you drive over rough terrain while relocating them?

 

[knpeterson]

For some temporary relief try to take a cool shower or bath or soak a small towel with cool water and lay that over your stings. Its temporary but it feels nice.

 

[beedeetee]

Tonight, I moved 4 hives to a new location.

By tonight do you mean after dark? If so, don't do that if you have to do this by hand (no loader of some kind). The bees don't fly much, they just crawl and will find any hole, of any size. They are always angry about being moved.

 

[WoolheaterFarms]

To add to some of what sqkcrk asked:
Did you net them?
What time of day was the move?
If you moved at night, did you use a red light source or a white one? During the day white clothing is good but at night, dark suits are best. Bees don't see red light well and it's better for moving.

 

[devdog108]

I learned to leave them alone at night if possible. they are crawlers at night. i use a red light if i have to make a move and i prep before i do. i have 3 boards that just before dark, i seperate the boxes and use the boards as tops and bottoms. then after dark, i can carry each box on its own instead of trying to move an entire hive. works for me, just make sure that you have gear on and some layers to keep from what happened to you happening from now on....if that makes sense..lol.

 

[suncoast]

Try ice packs

 

[wdcrkapry205]

1. Try not to move them after dark, if you must; screen their entrances at dusky dark.
2.If you do move at night, cover your lights with red plastic tape.
3. Crawling bees are infinately worst than flying bees.
4. At night if your using a loader they'll crawl out and fall right in your lap. Cover those lights with red tape!

The best experience I've had moving bees was in the afternoon one summer during a rain storm. Once you get on the road the wind will keep them back in the hive.

I'd go with the Benydryl, better lock next time.

 

[honeyshack]

crush an asprin....has to be an asprin...mix with little water to make a paste, and place on the stings
Benedryl as well

 

[brac]

For just a few hives it's easy to lock them in with a piece of screen. Then put a strap around each hive, then you can set them in the back seat.