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Author Topic: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?  (Read 7901 times)

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Offline rt1068

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bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« on: August 18, 2016, 12:13:31 pm »
Okay, I realize this may be a dumb question, but I am so new to all of this that I don't mind showing my ignorance.  Are bees affected at all by the cologne or perfume that the beekeeper may have on?  Or is it best to not wear any when working with them?  My inquiring mind would love to know what you all think.  Thanks!
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Offline iddee

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2016, 01:04:39 pm »
They are a well known NO-NO in the bee yard. It seems to rile them immensely and often bring on a huge attack.
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Offline rt1068

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2016, 01:37:28 pm »
Quote from: iddee on August 18, 2016, 01:04:39 pm
They are a well known NO-NO in the bee yard. It seems to rile them immensely and often bring on a huge attack.

Well, now I dont feel so dumb for asking. :D  Thanks for the info!
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Offline iddee

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2016, 02:00:12 pm »
The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.
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Offline Mikey N.C.

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2016, 03:08:45 pm »
rt , as you're lighting smoker ( if ya are) the more smoke on you the better is what I've been told, especially on hand's if not wearing gloves.
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Offline CBT

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2016, 03:23:51 pm »
If I use a dandruff shampoo I can start a riot in the bee yard :yes:
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Offline Chip Euliss

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2016, 03:47:27 pm »
I used to worry about how I smell to the bees and would wash with ivory soap; no smelly good stuff of any kind.  Now, I just carry on as always.  I think they like "Old Spice" just fine or maybe my nerve endings don't detect stings as well as they did when I was a younger man 8)  I do remember a woman, who used so much perfume she smelled bad to me, getting japped by LOTS of bees one day many years ago :laugh: :laugh:
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Offline Perry

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2016, 06:20:50 pm »
Look for antiperspirant that smells like bananas! :o :laugh:
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Offline Mikey N.C.

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2016, 06:27:47 pm »
Chip , I've  used Ivory soap for years.
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Offline Mikey N.C.

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2016, 06:39:55 pm »
Bananas I've heard around bees is like taking one on a boat :D
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Offline Chip Euliss

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2016, 07:29:27 pm »
Quote from: Mikey N.C. on August 18, 2016, 06:39:55 pm
Bananas I've heard around bees is like taking one on a boat :D

I hear taking bananas on a boat in Louisiana will get you shot, or worse :o :\'(
 :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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Offline Mikey N.C.

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2016, 07:32:39 pm »
That's rite
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Offline CBT

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #12 on: August 18, 2016, 09:11:30 pm »
Nut, Nut, and Nut. Not y'all but all y'all  :no:
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Offline riverbee

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #13 on: August 18, 2016, 11:20:12 pm »
"Okay, I realize this may be a dumb question, but I am so new to all of this that I don't mind showing my ignorance.  Are bees affected at all by the cologne or perfume that the beekeeper may have on?  Or is it best to not wear any when working with them?  My inquiring mind would love to know what you all think.  Thanks!"

rt, no dumb question and you are not ignorant!!

hmmmm......"is it best to not wear any when working with them" (cologne/perfume).  i know ya meant cologne and perfume, but i have been known to show up in the local emergency room wearing less then cologne and perfume.......wearing pretty much coveralls and a veil........ it was hot outside!......:D :D :D

i think guys tend to have more of an issue with the bees?  sweat and such?  i don't do anything special BUT i don't perfume up to check bees....lol
and yes, they are or can be affected by whatever smell they don't care for, so i wouldn't douse myself in old spice like chip does..... :D or calvin klein........ :D

like iddee said ya might get stung!   

i had a mentor once, he rarely shaved and showered, well the bees knew it and so did i.............i learned to stand back........WAY BACK when he came to visit and work bees with me.......... :D :D :D
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Offline neillsayers

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #14 on: August 19, 2016, 12:03:45 am »
Sweet Wife often has students and intern workers in her garden. One of these fellows was wearing shorts and kept getting his legs swarmed with my bees. No stings, they were in love with his legs. Finally asked him what was on his legs-he had a homemade essential oil tick repellent made of lemongrass oil and another E.O. I can't remember.

He had made himself a swarm trap! :)
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Offline rt1068

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #15 on: August 19, 2016, 09:59:41 am »
Quote from: neillsayers on August 19, 2016, 12:03:45 am

He had made himself a swarm trap! :)

Now that made me smile.  I wonder if he ever thought of marketing himself out as a human swarm trap?
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #16 on: August 19, 2016, 07:46:59 pm »
LOL  Some good answers here.

   My bees seem to have come to a certain acceptance with my old spice antiperspirant and more or less let me do my thing.. I keep non scented antiperspirant for the days I know I will be in the yards a lot..   
   I try to shower every evening, doesnt always happen, but I DO TRY...    not as essential now that my wife is so far away, but I don't want my dog to shun me either, shes all I have left to talk to.. well, besides you guys...
   My worst issues come with strange people, more so in the fall than in the spring..  AND.. My leather hat..  I like it, it keeps the sun off my face and neck, but it smells like a sweaty old bear.. if I forget and open a hive while wearing it, I am quickly reminded.. fortunately it flys well as a frisbee and they usually follow it and then leave me alone.

   bees use SCENT (pheromones) as much or more than they use their eyes, so they are sensitive to ALL smells, some they dont care about, and others make them unhappy (Bananas) and some they LIKE (Lemon grass oil)...
   I personally feel that the bees slowly "get used" to their keeper (or at least his/her smell) So changing perfumes/deodorants has been shown to have consequences, at least in my own yards.

   When I was young, helping a grouchy old beekeeper.. he had the gall to tell me that banana peel rubbed on the sting would take the BITE out of it... so I carried a banana peel, after eating the banana on the walk to his house...    It was a tough day for me, but he seemed to derive a GREAT amount of amusement from my pain..........
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Offline riverbee

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #17 on: August 19, 2016, 10:41:10 pm »
"One of these fellows was wearing shorts and kept getting his legs swarmed with my bees. No stings, they were in love with his legs. Finally asked him what was on his legs-he had a homemade essential oil tick repellent made of lemongrass oil and another E.O"

LOL!!! funny!.............. :D :D :D

scott, you always make me laugh.....you still carrying around a banana peel?........ :D

hats.........not sure what it is about them? i think sweat/smell?  i do know if you decide you are going to wear a bran spanking new straw hat.... let's say stetson?............ :D
you need to take it out in the dirt and get it real good and dirty with your footwear........mash it up and grind it around.......yeah i know it ruins that new look............. :D  but the bees seem to not like straw hats?  it still wears the same  with a veil over it AND with less stings......... :D
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Offline Green bee

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #18 on: August 19, 2016, 10:42:09 pm »
Quote from: rt1068 on August 18, 2016, 12:13:31 pm
Okay, I realize this may be a dumb question, but I am so new to all of this that I don't mind showing my ignorance.  Are bees affected at all by the cologne or perfume that the beekeeper may have on?  Or is it best to not wear any when working with them?  My inquiring mind would love to know what you all think.  Thanks!
.           This was a great question , thanks for asking it as you may have saved me some pain down the road. I wouldn't have thought to ask this until it was to late lol.  :goodjob:
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Offline J-grow

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Re: bees reaction to cologne/perfume?
« Reply #19 on: September 01, 2016, 04:01:47 pm »
Important update and safety tip.  DO NOT WEAR " Hi Karate' " ..........
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