Tim Sterrett wrote:
>
> >probably because the bees are bringing in goldenrod honey.
>
>    For many years, I enjoyed this late season, tangy odor as a sign of
> autumn.  Then my wife commented that it smelled like old sneakers.  So now I
> am in a quandary about whether I like the smell of old sneakers!
>   Has anyone documented the link between the autumn smell of hives in the
> northeast U.S. and goldenrod (Solidago) plants?  When I stick my nose into a
> goldenrod flower, I do not smell the same ripe(!) aroma that I smell in front
> of the hives.
>
> Tim
> Tim Sterrett
> Westtown, (Southeastern) Pennsylvania, USA
> [log in to unmask]
 
The "tangy odor" from the hives in the autumn has got to be from the particular nectar
type being stored. I would also be inclined to say that it is goldenrod as that is the
dominant flowering source in my area also. It is something I look forward to every fall.
Working in my office with the windows open and having this very distinct aroma cross my
nose is a real delite. I still believe old sneakers are in a class all by themselves! It's one of
those smells that you never forget and have a real hard time trying to explain it to
someone. It's like the smell of a new car, or as a woodworker, the smell of a particular
species of wood or as a father, the smell of one of my kids after they have been playing
out in the sun all day. It's not a bad smell, just distinct. I think it's yet another small joy
of beekeeping. I vote thumbs up for "the smell" coming from my hives.
 
-Barry......has a weird sense of smell
 
--
Barry Birkey
West Chicago, Illinois  USA
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http://www.birkey.com