Hi Guys, It's time for my yearly AHB rant. There's been much discussion about the rights of bees. Beekeepers tend to defend the better characteristics of their bees much like some parents do with their children. Yet, that can be just a part of the story. I've actually spoken to a few beekeepers who deny the existence of the AHB, a very irresponsible position based on ignorance I hope! Yet, our appearence when working the honeybee betrays that sentiment. When we are suited up in veils, suits, sometimes glovs, and surrounded by our protective smoke the public gets another impression entirely :>) Sure, sometimes we work our bee without any smoke or protection. But it's a foolish beekeeper who doesn't have some kind of protection nearby. And for good reason. Bees are not domesticated pets. They can surprise us and react badly to our meddling at times. Only our armor and our knowledge prevents us from becoming a victim. I have worked with an africanized hive. Most of the time a beekeeper can work them the same as other bees. And they are easily controlled with a little smoke. But they are extremely defensive of their hive. The slightest hive disturbance without smoke sends them into a frenzy which has to been seen to be believed. And they stay worked up for the rest of the day. I had forgotten my smoker but decided to inspect a yard with a half dozen regular hives and one africanized hive. I worked the 'normal' bees without any problem. When I removed the cover on the AHB hive, I was covered with bees. In less than 10 seconds my socks were completely cover so that no cloth was visible. Any movement attracted hundreds and my breath enraged hundreds more. In less than a minute thousands of stinging bees were after me. I gently set the lid back on the hive and retreated to my truck. The bees continued to attack the truck. They would attempt to sting anything black like the door and window moldings. The slightest sting odor from my clothing would attract hundreds more to the small amount of ventilation that was escaping from the cab. And they would attack any birds flying overhead, killing the smaller ones who couldn't get away fast enough. I have worked bees commercially since 1968. I've worked thousands of hives in all kinds of weather and under the most unfavorable conditions. I have seen very angry hives and very angry yards. I've been stung too many times to count in a single instance. Yet, I've never experienced anything like this. A healthy non-beekeeper in such a situation is risking their life unless they can run fast and far. A child, or an elderly person who couldn't run away under such stinging could easily be killed, if not from being doused with gas or drowning in the lake, surely from the stinging itself. That yard was near a road and a farm house was a half mile away. I decided to stay in the truck and at the yard for the rest of the afternoon. The risk was just too great that someone would come along and get attacked. What if a child riding a bike had come by that yard? The bees frenzy abated somewhat after about 2 hours. But they were still going after the birds 4 hours later. Any movement within 1/4 mile brought an instant response with dozens of stinging bees 6 hours later. Thankfully the sun set! Bet you can't guess what happened to that hive. I would like to suggest that beekeepers take the high ground. Let's be seen as defenders of the public good. When the public is threatened by errant bees, it will be the beekeepers to the rescue. After all, we are the guys in the white suits:>) And we should know what to do, whether to save or destroy depending on the situation. The public should look to us, with our knowledge and experience of bees, to assess the risk. Regards Dennis :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::