I got stung... Horray!

[hailtryfan]

Went to check on my bees today and found they'd eaten most of their fondant. A single bee came out of the cluster to have a look what the disturbance was so I quickly closed up the hive and returned later with some grub for them.

I guess I had become a little complacent because I wasn't wearing any protective gear as the bees are so docile in the winter. When I opened up the hive this time there were loads of bees all over the tops of the frames and as I popped in a new block of fondant, one of my bees flew up and stung me on the arm.

"Ouch" I thought, then several expletives, then "I wonder if I am allegic to bee stings" as I have never been stung before.

Happilly my arm did not swell up like a balloon and the stinging quickly subsided. So overall I am very happy that I got stung as I know my bees will defend themselves and that I'm not sensitive to bee stings.

How are everyone else's bees doing this winter?

[veggiechicken]

I'm very happy for you - and for your bees for coming through the winter so far. I hope they continue to thrive! Roll on the spring flowers.

[vicky]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong! But I thought the first sting you get sensitizes your body's antibodies to the venom (it's unlikely your body will react) and the subsequent stings your body will then react to (If you have other allergies you need to be more careful), so you will react differently afetr the first sting. Also you can react differently at any time, so you always need to be careful, especially if you get over 10 stings at once.
A friend of mine had bees for a few years and never reacted to the stings, one day she found herself dialling 999 after a very bad reaction to a single sting. She doesn't keep bees anymore!
And next door's gardener had a stay in hospital and 2 weeks off work after disturbing a wasps nest with his strimmer and getting over 20 stings!

Just saying!

I did the oxalic treatment on saturday and was delighted to see LOTS of bees still. Lots of stores too (although I'm now worried they will swarm as soon as the weather is warm enough). They weren't happy, I had a screen of angry bees over the veil which then followed me 200m or so back to the house, spent ages standing outside the back door flicking them off and hoping no one came out to see what I was up to.

Glad yours are doing well. The spring flowers have started to come out so they'll be a bit more food around soon!

[Madasafish]

Frost here. My six hives are doing nothing.

As for stings, no idea. I just get about 40 a year as I keep gloveless. Despite keeping bees for two years the soft tissues of my hands still swell up..

Spring flowers another month yet...

[hailtryfan]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong! But I thought the first sting you get sensitizes your body's antibodies to the venom (it's unlikely your body will react) and the subsequent stings your body will then react to (If you have other allergies you need to be more careful), so you will react differently afetr the first sting. Also you can react differently at any time, so you always need to be careful, especially if you get over 10 stings at once.

B%gger! I'd forgotten that. Ok, better go and stir them up some more :-)

Vicky - I presume Saturday was quite warm where you are. Haven't seen any bees flying for ages around here.

Seen a few bulbs starting to sprout. Hopefully the snowdrops and crocuses (croci?) will emerge soon to provide a pollen snack.

Madasafish - 40 stings! You must have grumpy bees or maybe mine are just woosie. I never use gloves either.

Glad to hear noone's lost a colony.

[Madasafish]

hailtryfan

40 stings: mostly from our local Association apiary where I help out and learn. Some of the bees there are quite hot when disturbed...Mine are quite docile.. The ratio is roughly:
Association:30
Own: 5
wasps: 5..

(we have lots of wasps and summer is a battle)

[hailtryfan]

(we have lots of wasps and summer is a battle)

I enjoy watching the primordial fight between my bees and the local wasps. I squish as many as possible and my bees take down quite a few more. Invariably the wasps decapitate a fair number of bees and carry off the bodies for their young.

[BarleySugar]

When we were at Wisley on Friday I was surprised at how many beas were around the Christmas Box. It was lovely weather though.

[Guzzik]

I am still waiting to be stung............Have been told that I wont be a "proper" bee keeper till I am stung

[Aberdeenplotter]

I would be a beekeeper, if I could be stung safely. Was something I always wanted to do but I react badly and it gets worse every time apparently (it has so far so I can testify to that) so I have to avoid the little blighters.

[Mr Dave]

I was wondering how you managed to keep Bee's during winter. How do they react to frosts and even snow? Do you have to take measures to protect them or do they manage on their own?

[Guzzik]

I was wondering how you managed to keep Bee's during winter. How do they react to frosts and even snow? Do you have to take measures to protect them or do they manage on their own?

The hives, if they are not full of honey. Are given a block of fondant about 2.5 kg in weight to see them over the winter, some bee keepers put insulation into the roof of the hive to keep the warmth the bees produce in. It is inadvisable to keep opening the hive every week to check if the bees are ok as this lets all the heat out quite quickly. Even with doing all this, the chances of a hive surviving really cold weather through out February and March can be rather slim.