Beekeeping...for those interested!

[bibliophile birds]

I left the shipping box in the hive so that the other bees could vacate it....now I have to retrieve it!

just so you know, for next time, you can just sit the box next to the hive and the bees will find their way in. that way you won't have the whole scary "reaching into the belly of the beast" moment.

but it shouldn't be bad. just remember to stay calm, move slowly, use your smoker (but don't over-do-it), and NEVER, EVER swat the bees. the most important thing i tell new people who come to see the bees is that you have 2 options with regards to your arms: 1) keep them glued to your sides at all times or 2) make sure you don't have bees in your armpit before you put your arms down. every time i've been stung it's been because i wasn't paying attention to my arms (well, there were a few times when it was because i wasn't paying attention to my legs either ) and trapped a bee between my arm and my body. i figure i deserve it then.

 

[Beekissed]

I didn't get a smoker as I was planning to use the Lemongrass EO mister to calm them....but I quickly learned that it has no effect on bees whatsoever! Who in the world thought that one up?

Now I wish I had a smoker.....

Oooooo, but I sooooo want to swat the bees when they are dive-bombing my face!!! Years of ingrained habit and fear.....

 

[Rebecka]

Wow! My bees are all sweet and friendly. We go out a few times a day and just sit near the hive listening to their happy little hum. Watching gatherers come and go. Even the guard bees come up, check us out and then move on. Beekissed, are you wearing anything scented? Shampoo, deodorant , something like that?

We dont use anything scented in our house, but tonight my FIL's GF came over and the bees got a bit agitated. I could smell her hair spray.. so I bet it was super strong to them.

ETA: We used the smoker when we installed them in their new home, but I am starting to think we don't need it. I never bought the whole lemongrass spraying thing.. seems to me that would just confuse them as opposed to calm them.

 

[Beekissed]

I had just showered and my hair was still wet...could be they were smelling my shampoo. It doesn't have a strong scent but it do smell gently. I was also wearing freshly applied deodorant.

Should have known better, huh?

Want to know something even more silly? When I installed my bees in the hive, I was still wearing my flowered scrubs from work..... My boys made some comment about the wisdom of messing with bees and wearing flowers.....

Live and learn, live and learn.....

 

[Rebecka]

LOL thats wonderful! I can see being freshly scented and wearing flowers might cause your girls to be a bit confused. You got teased for wearing flowers.. I got teased for wearing a skirt, tank top, bee veil and combat boots. I am suddenly quite glad that my sweet husband didnt get any pics!

 

[bibliophile birds]

Now I wish I had a smoker.....

you can use an old metal coffee can (or the like) and just put some burlap (or newspaper if it's all you have) in that. it won't be as effective since you can't really aim a coffee can, but it will work.

We used the smoker when we installed them in their new home, but I am starting to think we don't need it.

we don't use ours all that much any more, but i always have it on hand. it worked wonders for my confidence when i was starting out though. of course, that could also have been a little bit because i was 13 and thought it was awesome that i had the power of fire......

 

[Beekissed]

Thanks! I will try this...better than nothing at all~or lemongrass. :/ Though I will admit that my bees and I were smelling quite lovely before that install was over!

 

[Rebecka]

I used lawn clippings in my smoker. It came with what I believe is raw cotton and it smelled horrible. Lawn clippings were much more pleasant.

 

[bibliophile birds]

I used lawn clippings in my smoker. It came with what I believe is raw cotton and it smelled horrible. Lawn clippings were much more pleasant.

interesting. i never would have thought of that. i very much enjoy the smell of burning burlap, probably because i associated it with honey now.

 

[Beekissed]

I'll have to use some mulch hay as my lawn clippings are stored in-rumen right now..... Maybe I could burn some sheep doo-wa...that oughta calm 'em down!

Rebecka, great idea!