Gavin Ramsay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Joe - could you please try to describe the smell of alarm
> pheromone?

It’s a very pleasant banana smell.  

You should detect a very faint odor of alarm pheromone just prior to a colony that you have opened and are working in becomes stingy, and this is normal  But IMO, it is not normal to be able to smell alarm pheromone from several feet, and I mark for requeen colonies that produce too much alarm pheromone.

The best time to smell the odor is during winter, opening a colony without smoke, if you see the bees in the cluster pointing their stingers straight up, indicates they are reacting to alarm pheromone, and sticking your nose down next to the cluster, but not close enough to get stung on the nose, is a great way to get the smell of bee season during the off season.  
And maybe even a mid winter sting. ;)

Best Wishes,
Joe

1894 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
"A Medical exchange says that the first thing to be done when you have 
been stung by a bee is to extract the sting.  that is all a doctor
knows about it.  The first thing to be done is to yell."
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/




      

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