When I open a hive this time of year the bees are boiling over the top of the boxes most of the time. I can't believe I would get them off the top of the frames or the sides of the boxes with sugar water. The smoke drives them down so I can close a hive with out killing a lot of bees. Plus as Allen says you never know when a hive is going to go nuts on you. A friend opened his hive to add a honey super and got stung up bad from a hive that has never been a problem. He was wearing a veil and long selves but they went up his cuffs and really nail his hands and arms. He put on some gloves he had in his truck but instead of driving away he walked, only drove to the hive to bring the super out . He called me because he was unable to close them since he fell while getting away and was hurt, but not to badly. I bet he had over 100 stingers in his hands and arms, they chased him all the way to a building and followed him in. He had to use a fly swatter on them , they would not quit. I was close by in one of my yards when he called me for help, most of the time I work alone so whether I need the smoker or not it is lit and my bee suit is in my truck just in case, mainly I wear just a veil ( I hate bees in my hair ) . I got there and suited up and made sure my smoker was going good, get out to hive and the bees didn't even notice me. They had recovered from what ever rubbed them the wrong way. I straighten the super and closed them up. This friend has had bees since 1931 so it's not like he didn't know what he was doing but one thing didn't do was light a smoker, he was only going to put on a super. I must admit I probably would not have lit one for that job also. Any way we were weary of the hive for some time but they have not misbeehaved again so now we don't walk on eggs while tending them but we do bring a smoker and have gloves in our pockets. I uploaded a picture I took of the gloves he put on to get away so hand would not be stung worse . I took the picture a couple of days after and some of the stinger had fallen out . The stinger s are from when he was walking away not trying to put the super on. These bees are not Africanized they are gentle European honey bees. https://plus.google.com/photos/113800188780791381044/albums/5920205570930394497 Karen T-K Maine *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html