Is everyone aware of all the risks to beekeepers out there? How
about rattelesnakes,,,
In many parts of Montana, rattlesnakes are common. They seem to like
holing up under the pallets used by our commercial beekeepers. TI never walk
up to a pallet without checking, and I try to stay on the side of the pallet
that is solid wood.
Those of you who know me, also know I often wear western boots. That's a
two-fold affectation.
1) I grew up around livestock (cows). You want boots with a heel for
safety when working cattle from a horse. We also did custom baling and
stacking, at a time when that was still mostly hand work. Snakes in and under
bales, especially straw bales in our dry land areas, were a common hazard,
2) I like ankle protection in snake country. Boots may not be bite proof,
but they offer a degree of resistance - especially since I buy bull hide
boots.
Steel toes, hard heels, and a loose fit on the uppers (acts like bee suit
- material stands away farther than depth of sting or bite) reduce chance
of bite going through.
Boots also eliminate ankle stings. A trick I picked up from Roy Thurber,
cut rubber bands from a tire inner tube. Loop rubber band around leg, In
front of your leg, Twist band to form a Figure 8, Then pull the lower loop
of the 8 over your toe, up to just in front of the heel. Simple solution
to crawling bees.
Jerry
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