hi there,
 
gotta throw my 2C in about all this.
 
i have a pair of white cotton gloves, thick, which i use when working on the
hives.  up to yesterday, they served me well.  they have a blue border, about
2 inches wide at the wrist end, and i've always noticed they go for it and
sting it, but it's so thick that they can't get thru.
 
however, being persistant little devils, they finally got under it.  plus,
with all the sting phermones on the blue, they "ganged up" on it.  quite
interesting.  i have noticed that they leave the blue band alone for a while,
until one of them gets angry, and then the whole lot go for it.  not sure if
my sweat on it has built up by then or what, but who knows.  didn't use
smoke last night - was going to do a simple manipulation that turned out to
be lengthy.
 
a side benefit tho - i can verify that bee venom is good for arthritic joints.
much much less pain after only 2 stings.
 
john