Henri E. T. Wetselaar wrote: >I've come across the use of clove oil in Eastern Europe as means of >warding off bees from the beekeeper. May I suggest simmering cloves in >water and using that solution on the cloves if clove oil is expensive A couple of decades ago, an old Russian beekeeper friend told me of this use of clove oil as a substitute for smoke in handling colonies. We found that it works quite well if one spreads a thin solution on the hands and arms (if bare armed as I often am). By diluting the rather expensive clove oil with 95% ethanol, one can "stretch" its use, and then it becomes quite affordable. At one time I was going to camouflage (mask) the clove odor with some other essences, patent the idea, and sell the substance under the trade name "E-Z-B." Now, however, the "cat is out of the bag" and anyone can follow suit. Adrian *************************************************************** * Adrian Wenner E-Mail [log in to unmask] * * Department of Biology Office Phone (805) 893-2838 * * University of California Lab Phone (805) 893-2838 * * Santa Barbara, CA 93106 FAX (805) 893-4724 * ***************************************************************