When I open a hive this time of year the bees are boiling over the top of
the boxes most of the time. I can't believe I would get them off the top of
the frames or the sides of the boxes with sugar water. The smoke drives
them down so I can close a hive with out killing a lot of bees.

Plus as Allen says you never know when a hive is going to go nuts on you. A
friend opened his hive to add a honey super and got stung up bad from a
hive that has never been a problem. He was wearing a veil and long selves
but they went up his cuffs and really nail his hands and arms. He put on
some gloves he had in his truck but instead of driving away he walked, only
drove to
the hive to
bring the super
out
. He called me because he was unable to close them since he fell while
getting away and was hurt, but not to badly. I bet he had over 100 stingers
in his hands and arms, they chased him all the way to a building and
followed him in. He had to use a fly swatter on them
,
they would not quit. I was close by in one of my yards when he called me
for help, most of the time I work alone so whether I need the smoker or not
it is lit and my bee suit is in my truck just in case, mainly I wear just a
veil

(
I hate bees in my hair
)
. I got there and suited up and made sure my smoker was going good, get out
to hive and the bees didn't even notice me. They had recovered from what
ever rubbed them the wrong way. I straighten the super and closed them up.
This friend has had bees
since
 1931 so it's not like he didn't know what he was doing but one thing
didn't do was light a smoker, he was only going to put on a super. I must
admit I probably would not have lit one for that job also. Any way we were
weary of the hive for some time but they have not misbeehaved again so now
we don't walk on eggs while tending them but we do bring a smoker and have
gloves in our pockets. I uploaded a picture I took of the gloves he put on
to get away
so
 hand
would not be
 stung worse
. I took the picture a couple of days after and some of the stinger had
fallen out
. The stinger
s
are from when he was walking away not trying to put the super on. These
bees are
not
Africanized they are gentle European honey bees.

https://plus.google.com/photos/113800188780791381044/albums/5920205570930394497

Karen T-K
Maine

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