In a message dated 97-03-26 11:22:55 EST, you write:
<< Are there any beekeepers out there who have pets ( cats and small dogs)
that live near your apiaries. How do they get along with the bees? >>
My medium-sized dog is usually with me when I go to the bee yards, and
has little problem with the bees. He will range around, and pretty much
ignore them, unless they get sassy. Then he'll go under the truck.
I do sometimes tie him, because he may be off wandering when I'm ready to
leave, but I would not tie an animal near bees, and leave him. If the bees
do get after him, he would not be able to get away.
A friend of mine has a golden retriever (not too bright), who came into
the bee yards with us and spent all her time jumping and catching bees in her
mouth. I believe she even ate some of them. I wondered how long it would
last, but she's done in several times, with no sign of giving up the
practice.
I know of one situation where bees killed a dog in a pen. These were
standard Italian bees, that had pitched as a swarm on a limb over the pen.
They did not find a home, and began to draw comb on the limb.
I'm not sure what set them off, but they went after the dog, who could
not escape. This is an unusual situation.
Usually swarms are quite gentle, but after they've been pitched for a
week or so, they are known as a "dry swarm" by the old-timers. Their
stomachs are getting empty, and they are wide open and vulnerable, so they
are quite defensive.
[log in to unmask] Dave Green, PO Box 1200, Hemingway, SC
29554 (Dave & Jan's Pollination Service, Pot o'Gold Honey Co.)
Pollination for lay people, students, teachers
....Of bees, beekeepers, and food
http://users.aol.com/queenbjan/primbees.htm
Pollination for the pros - those involved in doing it:
Practical Pollination Home Page Dave & Janice Green
http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html
Jan's Sweetness and Light Varietal Honeys and Gift Sets
http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm
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