In removing feral hives you can imagine that you might see bees at their
worst temper.  Since the proper removal requires quite a bit of
semi-precise cutting to save the old brood,  heavy gloves of any kind
will simply get in the way of an effective and efficient job.  Sticking
bare hands three feet into 'darkness' is just asking for multiple
stings. The 'twitchy' nervous apprehension a beekeeper will likely feel
after the first few stings under their fingernail will probably give
them dozens more.

The solution for me was common neoprene dish-like gloves (little
thicker, commonly found at hardware stores).  They fit to the fingers
well, provide a firm grip for knives and such and the bees usually
disregard the rubber.  Instead the bees seek out my veil or suit for
defensive stinging, which is where I prefer them to 'charge'.

I've found the Bees can sting through these gloves but it's on a
extremely rare occasion and usually provides a sort of "half-sting"
where the stinger remains implanted in the rubber.

Try them, you'll like them.

Matthew Westall -
        //        Earthling Bees
 >8(())))-     "Take me to your feeder"
        \\        Castle Rock, CO,  USA




Ana Lucia Merlo wrote:

> I DO wear gloves and can not foresee a time
> >when I won't.  It's just my nature to be cautious.  I was wrong in
> stating
> >that we never get stung though.
>
> I have always worn thick rubber gloves, trousers and long sleeve
> t-shirt
> u