This sounds strange. You really don’t want to make them abandon the hive. You want to disrupt the hive as little as possible.
Comment on Bees don't have lungs.
Leeks@lemmy.world 3 weeks agoYup. It simulates a forest fire and encourages them to gorge themselves on honey and leave the hive. They get less protective of the hive (because they think it is doomed) which makes it easier to work. They will check back in under an hour to see if the hive made it, and if so, will regurgitate the honey back and continue on with their day.
kattfisk@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Leeks@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
My main goal is to not get stung! Also you only go into the hives every few weeks so it’s not a major disruption.
kattfisk@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
Never found even harvesting to require more than the occasional puff of smoke. But we had Buckfast, and made sure to replace the queen of any aggressive colony. Maybe you have more aggressive breeds.
Leeks@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Yeah the Russians are a little meaner, but do better with the mites and winter. The Italians are much easier to work, but require a lot more “hand holding”. Either way I normally knock with some smoke at the entrance/through the screened bottom for 2-3 puffs, then when I crack the top or move off a super, add a puff at the location. If I’m working slow and see them start staring me down, they get a little more.
I work bare handed because gloves loose too much dexterity, but that also gives them a giant target.
bane_killgrind@slrpnk.net 3 weeks ago
They stay in the hive if it’s not hot iirc
Leeks@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Yup, if it’s cold they stay inside the hive and ball up! They vibrate against each other to make heat and stay warm.
WrenFeathers@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Bees are so fricking cool.
Leeks@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Fun additional bee fact! Bee hives have personalities and each hive has a different one! Some hives are very easy going and have no problems being worked. Other hives don’t like to be touched and will get defensive quickly. When working hives, one of the things you look for is bees lining up on the edge of a frame staring you down. If you see that, hit them with some more smoke else you are about to be stung!
WrenFeathers@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
More!!!
Leeks@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Bees navigate using the sun. It doesn’t really seem that they make a map, but more seem to know where they are by the process of directions that got them there. If you stand in front of the entrance to a bee hive for a few minutes then turn around to face away from the hive, you will see a swarm of bees flying in a holding pattern waiting for you to move. Once you move the entrance to the hive gets really busy. They don’t seem to know to go around you, they just wait till the path is clear!