> I have worked my bees without a veil, gloves or coveralls for about 25
years.

Do you use a smoker?

 >I get stung quite often as I work them.

I think each persons situation is different. My help would never dream of
entering a bee yard without the above protection. I am kind of like Lionel.
A few stings are not a big deal.

For those new beekeepers reading the two times you normally see stinging is
when the hive is first opened and if kept open too long.
Do not ignore the sting on your bee suit. You did not get the sting yourself
but the sting has left an alarm odor. Smoke the suit area of the sting.

Without being able to cover up the alarm odor for those not using smoke the
stings will continue to come (why wouldn't they?). If you work without
gloves and do not mask the alarm odor the bees will continue to sting in the
same general area.


Bob

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