Definitely suit up or one could face dire consequences. A clipping from a
local newspaper dated 24 Oct 2005:

"Priest dies after being attacked by bees in Pretoria presbytery.

Father Giorgio Stefani,40,of St Augustine Catholic Church, died of heart
failure on Thursday morning soon after he was attacked whilst trying to
remove their nest.He said he knew what to do, but he was attacked and in
trying to defend himself made the bees angrier."

Not something that I want to shout from the rooftops, but something that we
should all be very aware of, when we approach our girls, their deadly
potential. I do not want to provoke a flood of e-mails  confirming the
deadly trait of the "African Killer Bee", but rather to state that we should
never get complacent when working with bees. Some beekeepers may be able to
work hives without smoke, as I have with my AM Capensis bees, but I would
never promote such behaviour and would deem my behaviour as foolish - the
speed at which covers where replaced and the stings I walked away with are
evidence of my foolishness ! One thing I have learnt in my short exposure to
bees is: "Take note of what the girls are trying to tell you and don't force
your will on a hive - the re-action to your action might not be a pleasant one."
Summer is well on it's way for us and my girls and I are smiling after
wonderful winter rains.

Regards
Peter

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