Ted Fischer wrote:
>Just a couple observations.  For years I have used Italian bees and love their
>gentleness.  I occasionally have considered getting other types, but when I
>actually make the decision, it's always for the Italians.
 
I think there must be a lot of variability in temperament within the races.
I know that the bees I now have which are largely descended from New Zealand
Italians and Australian Carniolans are much, much gentler than the Italian
packages we used to get here from Florida.  I find the Carniolans even
calmer than the Italians.
 
>I used to use bee gloves all the time to protect against stings, but now I use
>them mostly in hot weather in the summer to protect my hands from propolis
>sticking all over.
 
I was wondering if anyone knows of another method besides gloves to keep
propolis from sticking?  I never tried oiling my hands with something.  I
may have to start carrying some alcohol to rinse it off.  I seem to be
developing an alergy to it.  It doesn't bother me to chew it, but if I touch
my face after handling frames it starts to itch and if I have touched close
to my eyes then they burn.  Anybody else have problems like this?
 
Have a nice day       Stan