Bee suit colours

[BeeJayBee]

only time I've had problems with a suit was in the camoflage one, just washed it. Smelt nicely of detergent- which the bees detested. A calm hive suddenly became very very agressive to the point I had to put my 'big gloves' on to finish up. I smoked the suit to get rid of the detergent smell and wore it again next time, and they were lovely again.

That was the camoflage suit too.

Has anybody tried adding a drop or two of tea tree oil to the water when hand-washing their bee clothing?

 

[Gardenbees]

I haven't tried scented oils or anything, but smells obviously do have an effect. I've noticed that anything which smells of leather is usually targeted. My general rules for avoiding bullseye targets for bees are:

Avoid anything obviously animal-like in texture (fur, fleece, leather);
Avoid anything which looks like eyes or an opening in clothing (small dark or black seams or patches on an otherwise pale surface; unguarded shoelace holes or cuffs);
Keep clothing bulk to a minimum (reduce clumsiness and avoid the bear-attack factor of a dark, bulky figure looming over the hive);
Make sure your clothes don't smell of dog, or any other animal which bees might perceive as a threat;
Avoid black or any broad expanse of a really dark colour.

Having said that, if they're in a bad mood then anything which approaches the hive and won't go away is likely to get repelled in no uncertain terms regardless of appearence... whereas if they're in a good mood mine are usually very forgiving. In fact, if they're in a good mood, you would really have to try hard to get stung.

 

[victor meldrew]

Has anybody tried adding a drop or two of tea tree oil to the water when hand-washing their bee clothing?

Washing ones hands in carbolic soap was recommended by the beekeepers of yore
VM

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Washing ones hands in carbolic soap was recommended by the beekeepers of yore
VM

For why, VM?

 

[victor meldrew]

For why, VM?

Coz dilute carbolic acid soaked cloths where used to drive bees from supers
Bees run away from the stuff .
I'll dig into my antiquated tomes to obtain chapter and verse if you like
VM

 

[warts]

Has anybody worn dark blue and been stung more than wearing any other colour?

Yes I have. Wore blue linen trousers. Raced out of house after getting a call to say bees had swarmed about 3 -4 weeks after getting them. Got stung twice. Pouring with rain, 9pm at night. Slipping around in the mud under the apple tree. However, I put it down to ineptitude of new beekeeper rather than the colour of my trousers.

Since then have often gone over to check my bees wearing jeans e.g. after bad weather (without opening them up), and never had any issues. So am sticking with my original hypothesis viz: clumsy beekeeper

 

[Hivemaker.]

Coz dilute carbolic acid soaked cloths where used to drive bees from supers

I still have a couple of bottles of Calverts number 5 carbolic acid,with instructions on the label for subduing bees.

 

[victor meldrew]

I still have a couple of bottles of Calverts number 5 carbolic acid,with instructions on the label for subduing bees.

That's the one .Thank you ! Save me trolling through a pile of old books
VM

 

[victor meldrew]

I decided to dig out 'Digges'
THE CARBOLIC CLOTH
The Carbolic Cloth is also a subduer of bees, and by some is preferred to the smoker. In certain operations it is somewhat easier to work with than is a smoker, and once prepared, it requires little or no attention during a long period. Ticking, calico, or muslin, 20" x 18", may be used, with (if preferred) a hem on one 18" edge to take an 18" lath. A solution of Calvert's No 5 Carbolic Acid, one part to ten parts water, is prepared, and with it the cloth is thoroughly saturated. If the cloth, when not in use, be kept in a close-shut box, it will retain it's objectionable smell for a long time. The solution should be shaken before being used.
VM

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

I decided to dig out 'Digges'
THE CARBOLIC CLOTH
The Carbolic Cloth is also a subduer of bees, and by some is preferred to the smoker. In certain operations it is somewhat easier to work with than is a smoker, and once prepared, it requires little or no attention during a long period. Ticking, calico, or muslin, 20" x 18", may be used, with (if preferred) a hem on one 18" edge to take an 18" lath. A solution of Calvert's No 5 Carbolic Acid, one part to ten parts water, is prepared, and with it the cloth is thoroughly saturated. If the cloth, when not in use, be kept in a close-shut box, it will retain it's objectionable smell for a long time. The solution should be shaken before being used.
VM

Thanks, VM. Appreciate the effort. Really interesting.


As a 'keeper-in-preparation', however, I'm a bit worried about the following. Didn't realise how much work was involved. Didn't realised they needed clothing in winter

have often gone over to check my bees wearing jeans

 

[victor meldrew]

Thanks, VM. Appreciate the effort. Really interesting.


As a 'keeper-in-preparation', however, I'm a bit worried about the following. Didn't realise how much work was involved. Didn't realised they needed clothing in winter