Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: CpnObvious on March 12, 2015, 09:29:20 am
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8)
When I get stung, I swell a little in that area, it lasts a couple days, then goes away. More of an inconvenience and/or annoyance than anything. I haven't really cared where I get stung, I just always say "not the eyes, anywhere but the eyes." Needless to say, it happened yesterday; in the eyelid above my left eye. No pain, but swollen shut and annoying all all get-out.
Due to some poor decisions when I was younger, I'm all but blind without my sunglasses. Not prescription, though the probably should. Nonetheless, I'm virtually always wearing pretty dark sunglasses.
When I'm out with the bees, I often take them off, but not always. I meant to, but never really did, pay attention to the bees reaction when I'm wearing them. It seemed that when I had them on, they would often go straight for my eyes. I had put thought into it, but sometimes just kind of figured that I only noticed they were doing it more because a bee would occasionally get "stuck" behind be glasses. I'd remove the glasses, it would fly away.
I'm very curious if any of you wear, or sometimes wear, sunglasses when working your bees and what their reaction is. Is it any different than when you're not wearing them? My theory is that they give the appearance of big black eyes like a bear might have, so the bees go into defense mode. Please share your thoughts on this.
Boy, oh boy, does it stink having an eye swollen shut. 8)
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1211.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc424%2FCpnObvious%2FHumor%2F214D227C-1FD2-4CF1-BBBD-ADC5A8C78C3B.jpg&hash=ddc8fee163c66c0926dea7e533d89b7937ab00bf)
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I would have to agree with you on this.
Just like a camera lens looks like a big eye and they will head butt it.
I think that is why they also target the hole in the back of a ball cap, just above the adjustment thingy.
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Not a bad point... Maybe I should stop wearing a hat, too. Never even thought about that.
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When I do a casual inspection or feeding, all I wear are sunglasses. The best ones I've found are a Stihl brand (if I remember right they're called comfort fit) wraparound with a red mirror coating. Fit tight enough for the occasional missile that comes shooting out from the frames but don't have the annoying fogging mode when i bend over. Maybe it's the red but they don't seem to do head butting on the glasses, they just go for my ears lol.
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RW ol' buddy I think I would wear more than just a pair of sunglasses myself.
Could be a little painful when you stack up some boxes if you are not careful :yes: :laugh: :laugh:
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YeeeeOUCH Cpn!!! That does look annoying, and the ITCH is going to be more annoying!
I have to admit I have never worn sunglasses while inspecting.. I have a few pair, I will try it next time and see what happens!
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I will try it next time and see what happens!
Good luck to ya! Your willingness may help me prove my theory and I appreciate that! The itch is setting in, the swelling is not as much around my eye, but working its way down... Now I look like I've been punched in the eye, though. :( Fortunately, there's really no pain... just a constant annoyancy.
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I got pretty bad eyesight but with glasses have 20/20 from arms length on out. Up close with glasses things get blurry, take my glasses off and get tings in my face and they are as clear as a bell. Most times when looking for eggs I have my glasses off and my nose almost on the comb.
Th pic just now came through for me, that does look aggravating to say the least. Caught one on the end of the nose last year, the tears were rolling......or was it the one on the lip....no wait it could have been the three above the eye brow.....heck who knows now.
I use some gel benedril (sp) to help with the itch, works pretty good.
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Maybe it's the red but they don't seem to do head butting on the glasses, they just go for my ears lol.
Bees don't see red. http://westmtnapiary.com/Bees_and_color.html (http://westmtnapiary.com/Bees_and_color.html) This could explain their behavior with the red sunglasses.
Cpn: With sunglasses on, you probably look like a giant predator to some insects. :D
http://paperity.org/p/49426795/predator-perception-and-the-interrelation-between-different-forms-of-protective (http://paperity.org/p/49426795/predator-perception-and-the-interrelation-between-different-forms-of-protective)
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.cc%2Fspbsixlen%2Fcaterpillar.jpg&hash=2e789449ae2ebd05468c8388075848794587f275) (http://postimg.cc/image/spbsixlen/)
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http://westmtnapiary.com/Bees_and_color.html
Unfortunately, in the lower left of the page it gives when we/bees see chart and when we see red, they see black, so that blows my idea out of the water. Maybe it's the mirroring, in either case, Capn it's obvious (sorry couldn't help it) ;D, with the reaction you had, maybe a easy on/off Tulle veil is in your future.
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I have an old veil, but I'm ordering a jacket w/ zipper veil, and also one of the pull over ones that has a built-in Dickie kind of thing that covers your shoulders to the chest with elastic under the armpits. That way, if needed, I can be protected as well as who-ever may happen to be with me... But I'm going to stop wearing glasses when working with them.
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When I do a casual inspection or feeding, all I wear are sunglasses.
I think it's wise to at least wear underwear in addition to sunglasses. Just sayin.
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I think it's wise to at least wear underwear in addition to sunglasses. Just sayin.
Pshaw! Underwear is overrated... Just sayin'
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I wear a veil (and other articles of clothing). It's easier than crawling around on the ground searching for my glasses, after slapping them of my face to free one of the girls. Those coke bottle bottoms, even with side shields, don't keep the bees out.
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Ray... Tinted, black, or clear glasses?
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Led- "I think it's wise to at least wear underwear in addition to sunglasses. Just sayin.
Cpn- "Pshaw! Underwear is overrated... Just sayin'
It's your nads Cpn ;) :D
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My glasses are clear and thick.
My experience is the girls like my face :laugh: or maybe dislike, unsure whether it's the exhaust gases, the glasses or just the hair.
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My experience is the girls like my face :laugh: or maybe dislike, unsure whether it's the exhaust gases, the glasses or just the hair.
It could be facial recognition.
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I only go without protection when I want to be stung. The correlation of sting Vs no sting episodes is 1:1. I guess that, subconsciously, I want to be stung because I will sometimes feed without a veil. :)