Gavin Ramsay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> A possible second reason not to follow Joe's suggestion to stick your 
nose into the winter cluster when you see stingers in the air?!

Once one knows their capabilities, and develop a knowledge of bee 
behavior, they can do such things with a confidence in their abilities.  

I encourage and teach to new bees, the using of several senses in order to 
properly inspect a colony.  I consider smelling as a ‘key function’ in 
analyzing a colony.  I never realized just how important it was, and how 
much I rely on it, until 2 seasons ago, when I began teaching a newbee 
that has NO sense of smell.  So now, the slack from this lacking of smell, 
must be taken up by fine-tuning his visual sense and knowledge of bee 
behavior to a higher level, as he will need to rely on it more, so I focus 
more on pointing out minute details in bee behavior to compensate.  
I occasionally forget his lack of smell, so as I talk what I am thinking, 
observing and smelling when working colonies, he constantly has to remind 
me, ’Joe, I cant smell, remember’?     ;)  

It is typical for detailed inspections for disease to place ones nose as 
close as possible to the colony to check for AFB or other abnormal 
smells.  A slow wafting type sniff, not to inhale, but to get the odor 
into the smell receptors is what’s needed.  An expert (shall remain 
namless) that was inspecting my colonies proceeded to get on his hands and 
knees and spent far more time than I do with my nose in my colonies; he 
spent about 20 to 30 seconds with his nose nearly resting on the top bars 
of each colony.   

So don’t tell me that I can’t tell others where they should stick their 
noses!  ;)  (smiley face)  

Best Wishes,
Joe

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