*When Handling Bees:*
● Always wear a bee suit and take time to put it on properly. Many people do not do this and get stung when the hives are open. There is no need for this. If you don’t know how to do it, get someone to help you (your experienced friend).
● Avoid wearing woollen clothes because they agitate bees which become stuck in them.
● Avoid drinking alcohol, using strong smelling soaps or sprays all of which may aggravate the bees
● Always use a smoker when handling bees. Smoke makes the bees suck honey from the combs and calms them down (it also masks alarm smells the bees use to communicate).
Do not let the smoker go out during the operation or the bees can become aggressive. Keep
plenty of smoker fuel handy as you work. It is always better to have two smokers alight than one, in case one goes out.
● Start with the least aggressive colonies always. This will allow you to work in peace with the pleasant colonies first.
● Work gently and quietly. Do not knock or bang the hive as this can make the bees angry.
● Always handle the bees in the evening between 5.30pm and darkness (initially be careful –
once you know your bees and how aggressive they are – you will know the best time to
handle them). If the bees become aggressive at this time then they have a chance to cool down before the following morning. They also seem to be less aggressive in the cool of the
evening. For bees which you have never handled before, or for very aggressive bees, take extra precaution of handling the bees at dusk using a torch to see the bees.
● When handling avoid crushing the bees and making sudden movements. Work carefully and with confidence. Remain calm even if the bees become aggressive. If bees appear to be
getting out of control, close up the hive and try again another day. If bees get into your veil -remain calm - walk to a safe distance before trying to rectify the problem.
● Work the hives with two or more people at a time. One person can lift out the combs while the other uses the smoker. This allows better control of the bees.
● Do not stand in front of the hive entrance when examining the hive. Bees flying in and out may become agitated to find their way blocked. Always cut down disturbance to the bees in every way you can.
● Advise any on lookers to move away quietly if stung covering their eyes. No running about
waving the arms as this can annoy the bees.
● Remove bee stings from the skin as soon as possible using a hive tool or your nail to scrape
off the sting. Trying to pull out the sting tends to squeeze in more venom. Use smoke to cover the scent of a sting. When a bee stings this scent will attract other bees to sting you again if you do not use smoke.
● On finishing the job close up the hives. Do not go directly to where you are to remove your beesuit. Take a route via bushes or tall maize sugarcane etc. if around. Rub yourself against the leaves to rid yourself of bees which might be following or on you.
*When Handling Bees:*
● Always wear a bee suit and take time to put it on properly. Many people do not do this and get stung when the hives are open. There is no need for this. If you don’t know how to do it, get someone to help you (your experienced friend).
● Avoid wearing woollen clothes because they agitate bees which become stuck in them.
● Avoid drinking alcohol, using strong smelling soaps or sprays all of which may aggravate the bees
● Always use a smoker when handling bees. Smoke makes the bees suck honey from the combs and calms them down (it also masks alarm smells the bees use to communicate).
Do not let the smoker go out during the operation or the bees can become aggressive. Keep
plenty of smoker fuel handy as you work. It is always better to have two smokers alight than one, in case one goes out.
● Start with the least aggressive colonies always. This will allow you to work in peace with the pleasant colonies first.
● Work gently and quietly. Do not knock or bang the hive as this can make the bees angry.
● Always handle the bees in the evening between 5.30pm and darkness (initially be careful –
once you know your bees and how aggressive they are – you will know the best time to
handle them). If the bees become aggressive at this time then they have a chance to cool down before the following morning. They also seem to be less aggressive in the cool of the
evening. For bees which you have never handled before, or for very aggressive bees, take extra precaution of handling the bees at dusk using a torch to see the bees.
● When handling avoid crushing the bees and making sudden movements. Work carefully and with confidence. Remain calm even if the bees become aggressive. If bees appear to be
getting out of control, close up the hive and try again another day. If bees get into your veil -remain calm - walk to a safe distance before trying to rectify the problem.
● Work the hives with two or more people at a time. One person can lift out the combs while the other uses the smoker. This allows better control of the bees.
● Do not stand in front of the hive entrance when examining the hive. Bees flying in and out may become agitated to find their way blocked. Always cut down disturbance to the bees in every way you can.
● Advise any on lookers to move away quietly if stung covering their eyes. No running about
waving the arms as this can annoy the bees.
● Remove bee stings from the skin as soon as possible using a hive tool or your nail to scrape
off the sting. Trying to pull out the sting tends to squeeze in more venom. Use smoke to cover the scent of a sting. When a bee stings this scent will attract other bees to sting you again if you do not use smoke.
● On finishing the job close up the hives. Do not go directly to where you are to remove your beesuit. Take a route via bushes or tall maize sugarcane etc. if around. Rub yourself against the leaves to rid yourself of bees which might be following or on you.
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