Hi Tom,
 
I think the movie you are refering to was a programme on BBC/ITV about the history of the killer
bee.  This scene was to demonstrate how the bees would respond to human breath and is part
of the bees natural defense mechanism.  Picture an animal trying to attack a bees nest, the
first thing it does is stick its nose in for a sniff and its breath will alert the bees!
 
The bees you have (when they are subdued with smoke) should not be provoked by breathing
on them, in fact I would often gently blow on a comb to make the bees move away from an area
I want to examine. Your bees should simply scurry away, if they do rise up and attack  then
they are, as one would say, a bit jumpy!
 
The breathing tube idea....If you inhale in and out you will slowly asphyxiate youself if you use
this as demonstrated on the TV,  the reason being you will be inhaling the same air you breath
out!
 
My advice, forget about this idea and get quieter bees!
 
 
On Tue, 25 Nov 1997 20:48:50 GMT Computer Software Solutions Ltd wrote:
 
> From: Computer Software Solutions Ltd <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 20:48:50 GMT
> Subject: Bees and CO2
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> I recently watched a movie entitled 'Killer Bees'. It showed a beekeeper
> handling a colony of very aggressive bees using a breathing tube which
> caused the CO2 emitted by his breath to be discharged behind them. The bees
> were fairly quiet.
>
> He then removed the tube and breathed normally and considerable aggression
> was the result.
>
> Before I rush out and buy such a device I was wondering if anybody has any
> comment to make on the idea.
>
> Thanks for your input.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Tom Barrett
> 49 South Park
> Foxrock
> Dublin 18
> Ireland
>
> e mail: [log in to unmask]