Little mongrels!

[Jonnyl]

Nipped out to put the inspection board back in, 15 seconds at the back of the hive and bang, back of the head. I don't know why i bother with them!

 

[BernardBlack]

I've learned to always suit up.

I've been stung a few times while wearing jeans this summer. Really must invest in a pair of bottoms!

 

[Jonnyl]

I had been watching them when i got home from work as i always do. Just a few feet from the hive with no issues. Then going inside i thought check the tray and bam. Never predictable.

 

[ShinySideUp]

The only thing I do now without a bee suit on is cut the grass near the apiary, and very quickly at that. I keep an eye on the hives to see if they are looking lairy and if so I wait until my next bee inspection and cut the grass wearing my suit. After my experiences earlier this year I treat my bees with a little respect now.

 

[Millet]

Wrong bees if you ask me... mine are defensive at the moment but i can still do thing's 2ft from the hive and not get zapped... a bit of thinking for next year original poster..

 

[BernardBlack]

The only thing I do now without a bee suit on is cut the grass near the apiary, and very quickly at that. I keep an eye on the hives to see if they are looking lairy and if so I wait until my next bee inspection and cut the grass wearing my suit. After my experiences earlier this year I treat my bees with a little respect now.

Yup, that's what I do too.

I only go near the apiary suitless if feeding at night.

 

[iann41]

definitely wrong bees.

They are a little more defensive at this time of year and there is always the odd bee that's a bit more aggressive due to genetics, but I would always opt for calm, gentle bees over any other trait like honey production.

out of the 10 hives I have I don't use any form of protection on 3 of them as they are that nice to work with. I get stung the odd time but I don't seem to notice now after years of beekeeping.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

if im cutting the grass or anything else close...i make sure i do this before an inspection...sounds obvious but is important...anything afterwards is risky as theyve been disturbed

 

[swifty]

Good call to cut the grass before an inspection.
I'm new to beekeeping this year so lacking experience but so far the two colonies I have are very placid, and I can observe them within a foot of the hive and even put my hand at the enterence with out the slightest bit agrivation. I do suit up to inspect but once again never had a bee sting me they just seem to accept the slight disturbance during the inspection. I did use the smoker at first but for the last month or so I've stopped after listening to an old beekeeper talk about stressing the bees out with the use of smoke, maybe I've been lucky so far in getting two placid colonies, they are carniolans which I was told tend to be good bees but can have a tendancey to swarm.

 

[HoopersHouse]

I can sympathise !!!

Took the last of my honey off yesterday & the buggers stung me through my beesuit!!!

Then I had to do 2 laps of the garden with them pinging against my head to get rid of them.

Definitely requeening in the spring & I shan't feel at all guilty about dealing with the current queens.

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