Easy Access to Bee Spray

[hillbilly rick]

I know it is a matter of time before I brush hog over a yellow jackets nest. I thought a can of spray would be an option if you can't immediately get off the tractor. The cup holder is not tall enough to keep the can in on the hills I mow. Has anyone found a good solution to having a can handy without using the cup holder? My thought was some type of elastic strap attached to the ROPS, but I have not been able to find anything. What have you bought or made for this?

By the way, there are lots of "good" stories if you search yellow jacket on these forums. They may make you decide to mow in a bee suit!

 

[tym233me]

Put the can in a ziplock bag and duct tape or zip tie to your ROPS

 

[leonz]

Use white PVC pipe; hose clamped to the R.O.P.S., with capacity/length for 2 cans minimum. The cans will stay cooler and you can have the second can handy by opening both end caps and pushing the new can out with the empty if you can move away fast enough.




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Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[CowboyRon]

A friend of mine has 600 acres near Abilene Texas. He rented a bulldozer last week to knock down cedar trees. One of the trees hit an oak and he was swarmed by the africanised honey bees. He barely made to a place on his pasture where he had signal to call his wife. Paramedics got to him in time and now he is Ok, but he was stung over 500 times.

 

[jonyyuma]

Put the can in a ziplock bag and duct tape or zip tie to your ROPS

This might work here, if the bag is left with an opening. concerned about heating of a full can in the closed bag. I might try ripping the bag away while jumping after releasing the seat belt..... Dang too late ,they have got me again.I was just stung last week picking blueberrys, did not see the yellowjacket until---Made my hand swell up two days, could not bend the joints,,even with sting-eze immediately on it.

 

[jonyyuma]

A friend of mine has 600 acres near Abilene Texas. He rented a bulldozer last week to knock down cedar trees. One of the trees hit an oak and he was swarmed by the africanised honey bees. He barely made to a place on his pasture where he had signal to call his wife. Paramedics got to him in time and now he is Ok, but he was stung over 500 times.

I feel for him, bet he will be a spell trying to recover.. I hate the small yellow-jackets that swarm out from underneith the lawn mower.. they will follow you too..

 

[leonz]

A friend of mine has 600 acres near Abilene Texas. He rented a bulldozer last week to knock down cedar trees. One of the trees hit an oak and he was swarmed by the africanised honey bees. He barely made to a place on his pasture where he had signal to call his wife. Paramedics got to him in time and now he is Ok, but he was stung over 500 times.

Been there done that with white faced hornets 7 years ago.

2-1/2 days in the ER and ICU and a month home with bed rest.

Over 400 anti venom injections as of this month and I am only blessed with lifetime immunity for honey bees only as of this month.


This summer may be another one for higher poison level in venoms so be extra carefull out there.


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Once you go Flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[MMagis]

I’ve hit more bees and hornets nests than I care to remember. Forget the spray idea, it’ll just slow you down and let them sting you more. The best thing I’ve found, short of a bee suit, and to really keep an eye open for the swarm as you go around. They won’t get you when you first go over the nest, it’s when you come back around and they’re all swarmed around the nest, and pizzed. If you watch, you can see them and get stopped in time. I’ve kept myself from running over quite a few batches the last couple years, and no stings since.

 

[aczlan]

I致e hit more bees and hornets nests than I care to remember. Forget the spray idea, it値l just slow you down and let them sting you more. The best thing I致e found, short of a bee suit, and to really keep an eye open for the swarm as you go around. They won稚 get you when you first go over the nest, itç—´ when you come back around and theyæ±*e all swarmed around the nest, and pizzed. If you watch, you can see them and get stopped in time. I致e kept myself from running over quite a few batches the last couple years, and no stings since.

My sentiments exactly. If they are swarming you it is too late for a can of spray.

Aaron Z

 

[groundcover]

I ended up getting a tractor with a cab, end of problem ! But these mounts while spendy will do the job. I hold a grain scoop snow shovel on the snow blower with a couple . PAC Tool Mounts :: Positive Locking Brackets

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Been there done that with white faced hornets 7 years ago.

2-1/2 days in the ER and ICU and a month home with bed rest.

Over 400 anti venom injections as of this month and I am only blessed with lifetime immunity for honey bees only as of this month.


This summer may be another one for higher poison level in venoms so be extra carefull out there.


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Once you go Flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:

We had some of them in a tree years ago...got out the power washer and ripped that nest open...After reading about them afterwards, I'm surprised I was not stung or even killed...:confused2:

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I ended up getting a tractor with a cab, end of problem ! But these mounts while spendy will do the job. I hold a grain scoop snow shovel on the snow blower with a couple . PAC Tool Mounts :: Positive Locking Brackets

Nothing made for use in the fire service is cheap...:confused2:

 

[Archer EV]

I keep honey bees and have a couple of hives. I use the lawn tractor to mow around the hives which are at the far end of a field. All spring I mowed around the hives without a problem. I pushed my luck a little too far though. The hives are gentler in the Spring but they are now at full population and with our 90 to 100 plus temperatures are very defensive of the hive. A few weeks ago I mowed in front of the hives and Bingo...bee sting. Followed by another and another. I had dozens, maybe hundreds of bees flying around me and it is hard to make a quick get-away on a lawn mower. I was stung twice near my left temple and once above the right ear. Thank goodness I had the wrap around sunglasses on to protect my eyes. I was also stung twice on the arm.

I will be brush hogging the field, possibly this weekend, and I will definitely be wearing the bee suit and veil while in the vicinity of the hives. The girls don't like all that racket!

 

[hillbilly rick]

thanks for your thoughts. I have a fairly steep hill I brush hog, and I may not be able to safely bail out immediately. That would be the worst case. Plus I brush hog backwards a couple of places where they may get me the first pass. I saw a post where someone always carried spray and though it might be a good idea. I usually get nailed with the push mower about 10 foot past the hole. I got nailed once already this year pushing, so hopefully that will be it for the year.

 

[Don87]

thanks for your thoughts. I have a fairly steep hill I brush hog, and I may not be able to safely bail out immediately. That would be the worst case. Plus I brush hog backwards a couple of places where they may get me the first pass. I saw a post where someone always carried spray and though it might be a good idea. I usually get nailed with the push mower about 10 foot past the hole. I got nailed once already this year pushing, so hopefully that will be it for the year.

My dad got nailed by yellow-jackets while operating a Gravely with a sockey on a christmas tree farm. They came up his pantlegs.........over 500 stings.

He could only wear pajama bottoms for 2 weeks, and had to 'slit' the centers on bedroom slippers due to the swelling in his feet.

 

[radioman]

umm, isn't the spray can metal? just put one of those strong bar magnets on your tractor and can.

 

[Don87]

umm, isn't the spray can metal? just put one of those strong bar magnets on your tractor and can.

That's the best idea I've seen:thumbsup:..........Why didn't I think of that?

 

[Archer EV]

You could also try the adhesive Velcro tape. Stick a strip of the loop side to the can and a strip of the hook tape to the fender.

 

[radioman]

you welcome don. archer, your idea is good, but peeling the velcro and stick on a new can can only be done a few times, but then if you only use it once a year, its still a cheap alternative :thumbsup:

 

[hillbilly rick]

I like the magnet idea. That won't leave a mark like velcro probably would, plus you could grab it quick. I'm not sure how effective it will be, but it is better than nothing until you can bail out. I hope I never test it. Thanks!