> You forget that engines emit fumes - and those can set off bees.

I was going to mention that as a possible link to bees being irritated by mowers, blowers, etc. Their sense of smell is much better than their vision or hearing. 

Certain fumes seem to be especially annoying, some people mention the ether roll (for varroa) as pissing them off, though I didn't notice it. Gasoline fumes, definitely. Alcohol fumes, I don't think so. 

And then again, some bee strains are much more sensitive. The volatility of African bees has been linked to acute olfactory sensitivity. Bees have a whole range of responses to various chemicals, as we all know.


PLB

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