I feel like the curmedgeon today.

We had one tech this spring, (who used to keep scutellata in Africa) get 
attacked full on by multiple swarms north of Orlando in Lake county. 
Luckily he was wearing a full suit during each encounter.  Previously on 
all his jobs, he almost discounted AHB in Florida. His attitude changed, 
as he called these African, and a few choice words not printable.

  We also had another who was attacked full while wearing only a veil. 
Had to run back to his truck and turn the AC on full while knocking them 
down. Great image for clients, right!These were all fresh springtime 
swarms, normal appearance,  no comb deposited.

So, we've changed our protocol, always wear at least a hooded jacket 
when doing swarms, and carry 2 epi-pens and dissolvable benadryl on each 
truck.  Had some interesting times this year with clients that were 
stung and went down. Things are changing here, regardless of want or 
belief. But what do we know..we only do a 'few' removals statewide  :-)

Richard Martyniak
ALLFloridaBeeRemoval.com
> This seems like a good place to point out that an AHB "swarm" is as gentle
> as EHBs. By swarm I mean the newly emerged bunch in a tree. It isn't until
> they have some comb and brood going that they get mean. They then have
> something to defend. I rode shotgun once with a Fl bee inspector checking
> the AHB traps around Tampa. It follows that good people have hived AHB
> swarms that seemed gentle only to have them "turn mean" after a few weeks. I
> had a new package with a queen that apparently had participated in some
> congress with an AHB drone. They were normal for about 5 weeks ... until her
> progeny came to forager age. (This, in Ct.)
>
> Dick Marron
>
>              

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