At 11:09 PM 5/6/96 -0500, you wrote: >John Taylor wrote: > >>Are there any particular problems I can look forward to as a result of >>my bees beeing exposed to wind, rain and getting a good soaking? > >Not in what I have seen. In a couple of "good days" they won't be >cranky. > >Good luck - Scott I appreciate the help. I've also had a couple of private e-mail messages that basically told me I did the right thing. I may get the hang of this beekeeping stuff yet! <grin> As far as beeing cranky goes . . . I've been pleasantly surprised by my bees. The day I installed my bees, they were flying and landing all over me. I also had cologne on. Since that day I've been careful not to wear cologne and the bees hardle notice me. We've had a lot of cool, cloudy, wet weather in Southeast Missouri lately. Most of the days I've checked the hive its been overcast and not just exactly real warm. The bees have been extremely gentle - no matter what the weather is like or what has happened to them. The day they got soaked and I removed the frame, I actually got brave enough to try something I'd just been thinking about - handle them without gloves. Rather than being cranky, they seemed subdued with being wet. I've not been stung yet and the girls just don't really act like they want to sting me. What I'm trying to get around to are questions - are my Italian bees unusually gentle? Have I just lucked out and started handling them in a manner that doesn't bother them? Or, am I soon going to have a larger population, that is busier flying once all the comb is drawn out and will be more likely to sting? Thanks to all. John Taylor LifeBeat Air Medical http://www.cris.com/~Johntrn1/index.shtml When in danger, or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!