Tim Sterrett wrote: > Do the new beekeepers know that many of us old timers have these things >and use them when they serve a purpose? >Tim I've had my bees since April 14th. I'd never kept bees prior to that date, so I'm a very new beekeeper. I never open my hive without bee jacket, veil, long pants, heavy gloves, shoes and socks. I'm also careful about the color of pants I wear. Light colors seem to excite the bees less, so I do take these precautions. During the summer, I swelter inside my beejacket, but the minor discomfort of being hot far outweighs the discomfort of being stung. Besides, I make sure I take lots of water with me. I have not been stung, yet. That is not to say that I will not be stung, though. I believe that one takes all the safety precautions necessary when working with stinging insects. Regardless of the line of bees you are using, (Carniolans, Buckfasts, etc.), I've been shown first hand that the mood of the bees can change from day to day, even during the flow. I know eventually, I'm going to get that first sting, but I see no reason to make it any easier for the bees to sting me. Many of the "old-timers" in my association don't use much more than a veil when they work their hives. I hear their stories of how this hive or that hive was mean, and they also ran for the protective gear. They don't go to their hives without at least having the gear handy. They know that I dress out fully, but they don't think I'm stupid. I just don't want to be stung. My last bee sting from a honeybee was 41 years ago, on the bottom of my foot in the arch while I was at the municipal swimming pool. I had a swollen foot for a week, and could hardly walk on it. I don't relish having another episode like that again. Nobody has told me I shouldn't be working bees, and I find them fascinating. George Imirie has told me many new beekeepers tend to anthropomorphize their bees, regarding them as pets. I must admit that I to tend to talk to them while I'm working the hive, more to keep myself calm than to even imagine they could even hear me. Some of my behavior may seem ridiculous to those beekeepers who've been doing it for years without much more than a veil. I'm not being judgmental about whether or not one should wear protective gear every time they go into a hive, that's a personal choice. I believe in wearing safety glasses when I'm working with my power tools, and look at working bees as just another activity that requires care. Thanks for reading this rather wordy reply. Joe Clark President, Tidewater Beekeepers Association Portsmouth, VA