Gavin Ramsay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> A possible second reason not to follow Joe's suggestion to stick your
nose into the winter cluster when you see stingers in the air?!
Once one knows their capabilities, and develop a knowledge of bee
behavior, they can do such things with a confidence in their abilities.
I encourage and teach to new bees, the using of several senses in order to
properly inspect a colony. I consider smelling as a ‘key function’ in
analyzing a colony. I never realized just how important it was, and how
much I rely on it, until 2 seasons ago, when I began teaching a newbee
that has NO sense of smell. So now, the slack from this lacking of smell,
must be taken up by fine-tuning his visual sense and knowledge of bee
behavior to a higher level, as he will need to rely on it more, so I focus
more on pointing out minute details in bee behavior to compensate.
I occasionally forget his lack of smell, so as I talk what I am thinking,
observing and smelling when working colonies, he constantly has to remind
me, ’Joe, I cant smell, remember’? ;)
It is typical for detailed inspections for disease to place ones nose as
close as possible to the colony to check for AFB or other abnormal
smells. A slow wafting type sniff, not to inhale, but to get the odor
into the smell receptors is what’s needed. An expert (shall remain
namless) that was inspecting my colonies proceeded to get on his hands and
knees and spent far more time than I do with my nose in my colonies; he
spent about 20 to 30 seconds with his nose nearly resting on the top bars
of each colony.
So don’t tell me that I can’t tell others where they should stick their
noses! ;) (smiley face)
Best Wishes,
Joe
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