Tree with teeth...

[sunspot]

txdon
I know of no repellents for bees. Put your tractor in high gear or run for it.

The bees do communicate an alarm. When one stings it releases another darn pheromone and then a bunch come after you.
There is a product called Bee-Go that is used to drive the bees down in the hive for harvesting. It stinks really bad. My wife doesn't want me in the house after I've used it.

Ten feet is not too close for a picture. Something is causing them to be on alert. Could be anything. Have the Maple Trees started blooming in your area? That's usually the first nectar in the spring for them. Too bad they use it all building up the population. I've tasted Maple nectar that was collected in a hive. Very nice stuff.

jinman.
The L word is a difficult question. In a suburban area, it could be a problem. Most kids know that bees can sting. I always told the kids in my area about the bees and brought them close so they could see the bees coming and going. I explained to them about the guard bees at the hive entrance and pointed out the bees that were carrying in pollen. Most of them were very interested and none of then were ever a problem.

Rambleings

Royal Jelly tastes really bad, pollen is like eating sawdust and propyllis (sp?) tastes like nasty sap and yet some beekeepers make money from it. It's a good thing the honey is nice.

Here is a picture of a swarm that hived in my stored bee equipment. They too died in the winter.



The comb is sitting on a hive cover. Click to enlarge. That is an AAA flashlight (My other addiction) for size comparison.

I'm glad to contribute to this TBN thread. It's the first time a subject came up that I know something about. I'm new to tractor stuff and you all have been great putting up with me on all my questions in the other forums.

WBWI
I'll look up some good equipment suppliers for you. Every company I've dealt with in the past are quite honest. I've found most beekeepers are like that.

 

[TBDonnelly]

Quick update: The A&M collector called and explain how to ge a sample with a pole, jar, cold morning, alcohol, (for me or the bees I forget), anyway I guess he could hear my reluctance to mess with the hive in my voice, or the mention of how large the funeral was for my beekeeper friend, and he volunteered to come out within a week to collect the sample. I'll try to get pictures with my 18zoom.

Please fabricate a camera mount on the backside of your hat so we can see pictures as you're exiting the vicinity.
I can visualize your facial expressions to be something like ->

Don

 

[txdon]

txdon
Ten feet is not too close for a picture. Something is causing them to be on alert. Could be anything. Have the Maple Trees started blooming in your area?

The wild plum trees are in bloom.
Since the hive was in the shadow of the tree I used a forced flash....do they not like the flash?
I also noticed a youpon branch rubbing the side of the hive when the wind blew.

TBDonnelly, I'll work on that mount!

 

[pennwalk]

A friend of mine who used to keep bees told me that if bees get after you they have a harder time tracking you if you run through thick brush. Fortunately I have never had to try it out. I do know that heading out across the lake in a boat doesn't work cause I saw a guy try it.

Chris

 

[txdon]

pennwalk, after the bee sting and hearing "THE BUZZ" of the others I was serpentining through the brush like crazy, after a bit, the bushwacking hurt more than the sting.

Exactly how fast do you have to run to out run a bee??

Kyle, jumping in water is not recommended according to the information Texas A&M University sent me. Read #6 in the Bee Safe Quick Guide about half way down the page. Since Africanized bees have bee found in over 50% of the counties in Texas the entire state is considerd Africanized.

Honeybees

Also interesting information on the site:

AFRICANIZED BEES will

Respond quickly to disturbances by people and animals 50 feet or more from the nest.

Sense vibrations from power equipment 100 feet or more from the nest.

Will chase an enemy up to a ¼ mile or more.


Q. Is there any recommended protection that one should carry on a tractor while mowing?
A. See Safety Precautions. You should wear long sleeves, maybe carry a blanket or a sheet for quick cover, and an aerosol can with pyrethrin for a quick knockdown of flying bees. Of course, hats and veils would protect the most vital parts.

 

[pennwalk]

Geezze it ain't safe to go outside anymore. Does anyone make a virtual tractor for the computer? Then all you would have to worry about is your wife finding you and telling you to get buzzy with the honeydo list.

Chris

 

[JazzDad]

Re: "I was serpentining through the brush"

Don, they weren't shooting at you too? Man, those killer bees are bad!

 

[txdon]

Re: "I was serpentining through the brush"

Don, they weren't shooting at you too? Man, those killer bees are bad!

One killer had already located me and he was yelling at the others "here he is, get him" That bee impaled me and died. As I turned to run the Buzz got really loud.
I first learned about serpentining from a movie and it worked there so I thought I'd give it a go. It worked. That's the last time I saw the 10,000 killer bees.

 

[jinman]

One killer had already located me and he was yelling at the others "here he is, get him" That bee impaled me and died. As I turned to run the Buzz got really loud.

Don, the more I read your responses, the more I think you are very lucky to not at least be recounting this experience from the hospital. I think you "dodged a bullet" and you are very wise to continue this with great caution. Be safe bud...

 

[WarrenF]

Quite frankly I have enjoyed this thread immensly. I am sorry for the perdicament you found yourself in...Don. However some of the comments have made me laugh right out loud. Don, I hope you have seen the humor in the comments and have been able to laugh at yourself.