i had to laugh when i read your comment about how "nice" the bees are to
you.
 
i felt that same way when i started beekeeping five years ago, so i asked
the same question at our beekeeping meeting at the university.  one
experienced beekeeper laughed and asked if i was disappointed!!!!  it was
very funny.
 
actually, i understand that younger bees tend to be gentler (guess their
stinging apparatus is not fully developed), and also the time of the
season can make a difference in their aggression.  my "gentle" bees that
first year didn't disappoint me - it wasn't too long before i got my
first bee sting!
 
Wahkon
 
On Mon, 28 Jul 1997 09:47:24 -0400 [log in to unmask] writes:
>as a new bee keeper here in Wisconsin with 2 hives that i started
>may1st.
>should i expect  to retreive any honey this first year? i ordered a
>italian
>queen and 6000 bees there seems to be a lot of action. to my dismay
>when i
>lift the cover there are a lot of earwigs on top of the frames. what
>can i do
>to get rid of them buggers i hate em.. i never had bees before and is
>it
>common for them to be so nice to me. when i am around them or open the
>cover
>they really dont go after me have i got tame bees or just lucky? thank
>you
>kindly   regards Jerry
>