Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: Newbee on April 03, 2019, 03:52:01 pm
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Yeah, I'll admit it.... 6-foot 4, over 250 lbs, and a 3 gram bug gives me the heebie-jeebies because it's got a stinger! :'( :laugh:
I'm entering my 3rd year keeping bee's, and I've always had a hard time going into the hive for an inspection. As a result, I'm certainly not doing it as often as I should! (that being said, I'm a firm believer in providing for nature's needs, and letting her do her thing, but all the same, I'm man enough to admit I should be getting in there more often).
Today I checked on the hive around noon, very light activity, temps warming into the 60's, nothing planned for the afternoon, I said "that's it, I'm going in (first time this year)"! Went back to the house, piddled around, mixed up some sugar water, went out the hive, and it was getting attacked (AGAIN! - Another thread coming on this soon). Tried smoking them out, no luck, so I put everything away and slunk back into the house.
Any suggestions on 'getting over it'?
I know a part of my problem is my 'suit' - it's really just an old pair of sweats, bee-gloves, and a veil. I imagine I'd feel better in a full suit, but it's just not in the budget for a spell. I've been stung many times before, not allergic, minor inconvenience, I don't mind THAT much.... but I still manage to talk myself out of doing an inspection more often than I would care.
Thanks for any advice and suggestions.
- K
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Smoke, wait 3 minutes, smoke again. Lift top off and smoke tops of frames. Light smoke, too much smoke is worse than not enough smoke. Then move outer or next frame out. Move next frame sideways, then out. Move slow and don't bump the frame.
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What iddee says. I would add: Stand behind the hive when you work it. If you can't stand behind then stand to the side, but don't stand between the hive and the sun.
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X2 what iddee an b13 said. Ya know the old saying that a dog or horse can tell, I'm not saying bee's can . I'm 4 yrs in and I can say that gentleness and going slow work's miracles with bee's. Being apprehensive before you start going in boxes and then try to rush things is not a good combination. It took me 2 yr to understand that. When I first started bee's the guy that was as I thought was a mentor, I'd get stung 2-3 times every time. After I met iddee and other experienced beeks , that were careful and slow inspection is how it's done not wearing nothing! Heck I talk to them. But as B13 said your position around hive can make a lot of difference.
As said my first mentor would rush through say 15 hives, dropping frames hard and moving boxes on and off the top quick not good , we could be 50 yards after and get run off!
There's a lot of beeks that claim they have a hot apiary
, not saying that's not true . But me as a beek I think I can control a lot of that. Just my opinion.
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Thanks Mikey, I do make it a habit of approaching from the side for observation or inspection. I'll have to give the back a try. I tried talking to my last hive, thinking they would recognize my voice. Apparently they did, because they gradually started attacking me more quickly every time! :laugh:
I see there's quite a few of you folks on the other side of the mountains... We should have a get together somewhere's one of these days!
- K
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How about here?
https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/uncategorized/2019-summer-meeting
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Hi Newbee, I think it would be real nice to have another beekeeper come and help. Just two or three visits into your hives with you can calm you down considerably. Do you have a bee club or association where you can attend meetings?
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Thanks Jen! Yes, there's a few clubs in the area, and Slowmodem lives nearby. He's come out to help with inspections a few times. It does help when someone else is there, but I just don't seem to have gotten over 'it' yet. By myself I'm still a nervous wreck.
Thanks again!
- K
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A couple years ago one of the new members in our bee association came up to me and asked if I would help him get into his hives. He said he was terrified to lift the lid, but that he really wanted to be a beekeeper. He did have an inexpensive suit and veil. Of course I did go and help. He got a sting thru that suit. So he invested in a more costly suit that would prevent any stings. It really helped him stay more calm when he went to his hives on his own.
You might consider putting out a request to the other bee clubs for a used full body bee suit. It does help to feel like you have a good suit of armor on when going into the hives. Craig's list might have used suits as well.
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You might consider putting out a request to the other bee clubs for a used full body bee suit. It does help to feel like you have a good suit of armor on when going into the hives. Craig's list might have used suits as well.
Excellent suggestion. I see ads where people are leaving beekeeping, trying to sell their woodenware. You might ask if they have any protective equipment for sale.
Mikey: How true! "Some folks claim they have a hot apiary..."
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On edit:
My post wasn't very helpful. See below.
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1st. for me today, 2 bee's crawled up my pants leg :laugh: can't do nothing but let'em crawl :laugh:
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come on now. man up. go down to your hives in your underwear & get them really mad. ;D
seriously though sweats not the best choice. the bees can get stuck in that material. wear jeans & a denim shirt sure until you find a suit.
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My first beesuit was a Sears and Roebuck coveralls, I’ll fitting boots, and a veil I wore over an old fishing hat. My gloves were also from Sears and we’re/are rubber coated.
(https://i.ibb.co/THK1gp2/DCC27-A05-1-A65-4-D23-9-AB3-E3-B5-B0-DBF67-A.jpg) (https://ibb.co/THK1gp2)
(https://i.ibb.co/XY3gMv1/3-E7-CCAE7-D6-D7-46-D5-B09-E-661-E746-F03-CC.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XY3gMv1)
I had no idea what I was doing. This was about a year before the “Killer Bees” crossed the border.
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1st. for me today, 2 bee's crawled up my pants leg :laugh: can't do nothing but let'em crawl :laugh:
You can always dance...it works for me. Sometimes. ;)
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I apologize for my earlier post. It wasn't very relevant to your situation. I have a bad habit of only reading the first few lines and then responding.
Sounds like you need a new suit. As mentioned above, ask for those in your community if you can borrow a suit until you can buy one. Most of us buy a suit when we first start out, only to learn that it isn't really what we want. The first suit ends up being a "guest suit."
In the meantime, use two layers of clothes and duct tape any openings. Have someone inspect you before you head out to the bees.
You've been stung before. You will get stung again. That's what makes you a beekeeper and not a "bee haver".
Best of luck to you.
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Wman, you just made the top of my list of being a considerate person ;) But I do understand your comment in your first post.
Newbee, what ever decision you make, pro or con beekeeping, will be the right one, trust yourself. When I think of a hobby, I think of something that will bring creativity and solace from the world, not fear. If 30,000 stinging insects don't do that for you, then by all means let another beekeeper add your hives to their own apiary.
Think about this too, if your hives are in another apiary, you could go visit them on the days you feel confident to do so. Then, you won't be letting your colonies down, or let them die out.. they will be cared for the way you want them to be cared for, and you could be a sideline beekeeper.
Another idea, if you let your hives go to another apiary, the beekeeper caring for them can sell them, and you two could split the cost. Or, you can sell them yourself, get a little jingle in your jeans. Or, you can simply give them to another beekeeper.
Whatever your decision, it's the perfect time of year to figure out what you want to do. 'May the force be with you' ;) 8)
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Mikey N. C. I have a bad habit of leaning frames up against the hive when checking my hives, and sometimes they get up my pant leg :o But, if they haven't got out or stung me before they get above the knee ??? I declare WAR !!! :yes:
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I find it strange that my fear of being stung is worse than the sting itself. The line, "a coward dies a thousand deaths but a brave man tastes death but once", goes through my head quite often during the season. Ted
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Ted "a coward dies a thousand deaths but a brave man tastes death but once", goes through my head quite often during the season.
:D Ted, you always amaze me! My first three years were terrible! If I hadn't found wwb, I would have thrown in the towel long before now.
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Thanks for all the suggestions and good humor! :laugh:
I would like to continue with the hobby, this is just one of the many things I have to 'learn'. It's funny, was using it as a lesson for the kids how sometimes you have to suck it up and get over it in life, whether it's something at school, work, neighbors, hobbies, etc.
Did get into the hive(s) yesterday, because I had a swarm to deal with! Fortunately my 12-year old shared some bravery, put HIS suit on (we got a full-blown one on sale at Tractor Supply for 75% a year ago, but it's too small for me!), and I doubled up my clothing and we went in. My work-jacket is a thicker, plasticy-kinda-canvas, and keeps the bee's out. Had shorts on under my sweats, and muck boots up to my knee's, man, must have been a sight! :D All the same, nary a stinger in either of us. Granted a lot of that had to do with the fact that the bee's were more interested in the queen than me, but... Anyways, thanks again for all the help. They wifey said she knows what to get me for Christmas this year... O:-)
- K
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CHRISTMAS! You Need That Suit Now Mr. Newbee! :D
Do you have any honey from that last 3 years you've been beekeeping?
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Do you have any honey from that last 3 years you've been beekeeping?
I pulled ONE frame from my medium super the first year I had bee's, but I think it was mostly sugar syrup, LOL! Last year I didn't take anything from the hive, as it was a new-package installed that year (1st bee's were robbed out and died). I would like to get at least a jar or two this year, but have to up my game, LOL! Hopefully this swarm I had will turn into a 2nd hive for me, increasing my chances!
- K
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Misery loves company! My son Josh and I started out doing inspections together and still do if schedules allow. Ive pulled honey supers by myself the last couple of years (the bees don't seem to like that) and I insisted he share the joy last year. Yes, misery loves company! Besides, it gives us a story to share. I'm glad your son stepped up.
Off subject story: Josh and I were checking sugar cakes in Feburary, it was chilly so josh had overalls on under his bee jacket. Walking through a field after checking one yard we saw a mouse scurrying around. I yelled, "mouse! Get him Josh"! So josh is chasing the mouse around and quick as you can blink the mouse went up Josh's overalls leg! Up and up the mouse went with Josh screeching and squeeling doing a vary vigorous dance! Did I mention he still had his veil on? Yeah boy! Mouse popped out the neck hole and raced around inside the veil! Good times brother, good times.
Back to the topic. Ted
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Ted! That's just nuts! What a great story... :D :laugh: :D
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OMG!!! I am hysterical right now!! TED you HAVE to USE the recording device on your phone more often.. man i would have paid to see that!!!!!
When I started beekeeping, I was thirteen or fourteen, and we... didn't have veils, or wear suits. I helped an old guy take care of his hives.. he told me to get used to getting stung, and letting bees crawl on me.. and, I was more or less FORCED to get used to it, if I wanted the job and the money he offered.. There was no internet, there was no one else I knew to teach me, so I learned to do it HIS way...
My wife still screams when a bee lands on her.. i let it crawl around happily.. Usually they fly off on their own... I can't tell you how to get used to it... I can only tell you how I did.. and that was by... getting stung... and letting them crawl on me... I admit freely, there were a couple times I was HOOFING it down the gravel road for home with a whole swarm of bees follwoing me.. usually when the old bugger told me to yank "that" board off the shed and see if there are bees, or SHAKE THAT BRANCH and see if you can get them all to fall.... I have, several times in my life, been stung 50 plus times... Thick brush or cornfields are best to run into btw... something about flying in the thick cover makes most of them turn away... I can say, that after dealing with 50 plus stings, One or two stings seems pretty mundane :)
A hive under attack is bad news, for you and for the bees... a wet sheet thrown over the hive will usually calm them down, ans stop an immediate attack/threat then you have to use a screened entrance, or somehow BLOCK direct flight into the entrance with a board or something... it should allow the bees to exit the sides, but no robbers will be able to ZIP straight in anymore....
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Hey Newbee, I had one of those toss and turn nights, waking at 2:00 AM, just laying there and started to think about this topic. At this point I'm still uncertain if the "fear" comes from inexperience, not sure what you're looking for, or at, during inspections or if indeed it's the fear of getting stung. Maybe even a mixture of the two? If its concern over getting stung here's something to think about: a misquoted quote from Tecumseh (I think), The first 2 millimeters of the sting are a fact, the remaining six inches is all in your head. If its the inexperience, not being sure what you are trying to accomplish or how to accomplish your objective during an inspection here's something to think about.
Have you ever noticed the correctness of the saying 90% of the work gets done by 10% of the people? I'm not sure I agree 100% but I do believe that busy people are busy because they "take things on". So, my guess is that you have a fairly busy schedule? I get it. I do too. However here's my suggestion, as it worked for me. Find a beekeeper in your area, next door would be great but when better options aren't available next best will have to do. You may have to drive a ways, I did. Find a beekeeper, find out his/her inspection schedule and show up. Watch, listen, ask questions. My first season of beekeeping I hooked up with a cat called LazyBkpr. I kept showing up and he kept letting me. We talked about what he was doing, why he was doing it and other options of accomplishing the same task. That went on all summer, every week I'd show up and every week I'd learn a bit more and gain a bit more confidence. So much so that I'd go home brimming with confidence and promptly make a mess of my hive , only to have Lazy help me walk it back later. From that I now know that there are few mistakes I can make in a hive that the bees, or someone else, cant help me fix. It's how I learned and how I'm still learning. As I said, that went on all summer. Winter rolled around, and I kept showing up so Lazy showed me how to build hive components. Okay, so he built them and I watched. Yes, he built MY components and I watched. Seems like every time I'd touch one of his tools I'd break it, nervous probably, so I started painting the components, it's hard to break a paint brush, not impossible, but difficult. From that winters experience I now have the confidence (and tools to break) to build my own components. A new cat stopped by my house last season and we started building HIS components! That seems to be the cycle. One beekeeper helps out another, that beekeeper helps another, that beekeeper helps out....... I'm sure you get my point. Anyway, I know you're busy, but do think about it.
Oh, The bee sting thing? Yeah, still freaks me out. On the other hand it gives Lazy something to laugh at/about and there's something to be said about adding some humor into this world. Good luck! Ted
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heheheheh If a bee lands on Teds face his glasses are guaranteed to go at least 15 feet... :laugh: but it sure is nice to have someone to talk to while working hives.
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Hey Scott! How are the bees?
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Hi Ted and Scott, I remember so well all the posts from you two when Ted was the newbee and Scott was the mentor, always entertaining! But we all learned from your posts, and relaxed a little bit more with each post because all of us here are going thru it together.
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Thanks tedh! Great story, great advice!
I had hooked up with Slowmodem a few times, and we still see each other a few times a year, but with his work schedule and mine, yeah, it's tough. This couple I met through the local county club have relatives very closer by, and work closer, so hopefully we can get together a few more times this year. I think you're right on both parts.. part of it is the fear, part of it is the ignorance. Once I get my getup on, I'm usually OK for a little while, but if I run into an unkown, or the girls start giving my head fly-by's, I get nervous and close it up. Working the hive with my new friends was very helpful. Could ask questions, he would talk about what he was doing and why, also. Hopefully we'll get together a few more times this year, and help boost my confidence and knowledge.
Mentioned wanting to do a mite-check, too, and it was funny. He was all for it, had a bottle of alcohol in his hive-tool-box.... His wife and I were aghast, told him no-way, we're using powdered sugar! Not going to kill off 100 of my bee's.... :laugh:
Thanks again.
- Kevin
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Newbee! I love you for that! Thank you for not killing your bees to simply see if there are mites. So Much Respect For You!
A suggestion: Every time you get into a hive, Any Hive, get back with us and tell what you found out, tell us about your stings, tell us about mold you found on the frames, tell us Anything!
Trust me! I was the biggest pain in the booty on this forum during my first year. I posted most every day with questions and no one complained, they just kept answering my questions. I am deeply indebted to this forum.