Covered in Bees!

[hoo-t]

My dad and I used to keep bees. Lot of work. Hurts when you get stung. But the honey is really, really good!!!

Quick story... We were called out to get a hive of bees out of the wall of an old house that was being renovated. We had to rip the siding off the house to get at the bees. We were wearing full gear, and the bees were so angry that they were finding ways INTO our veils and clothing. I don't think I was ever stung so much in one day as that day. On top of my head too! But we got 'em!!!

Steve

[hoo-t]

Some afterthoughts (time limit expired for editing!!!)

Word of advice... When a honeybee stings you, its a suicide mission. They leave their stingers in you, along with the venom sac, then they die. If left alone, you can see the venom sac "pumping" the venom into you. If you DO get stung by a honeybee, do NOT grab the venom sac and pull it out. You will squeeze all the venom into your sting, and just make it worse. To remove the sac and the stinger, use your fingernail to scrape it off.

Another tidbit of interesting honeybee sting info - Honeybee stings are good for arthritis. My dad was having arthritis problems when we started keeping bees. We had heard that the stings would relieve arthritis pain. Well, after a few stings, his arthritis symptoms went away. They didn't return for many years after our beekeeping venture.

Steve (the former beekeeper, and current snakekeeper and ratkeeper and mousekeeper)

[joepythons]

So apparently, a giant nest of bees has decided to take up residence right next to our porch. It is rather disconcerting to wake up to a swarm of bees on your porch bouncing off the window and peering in at you. Especially when you've never been stung and would rather not find out the hard way if you're allergic.

The apt office called in a guy, warned us to be wary of angry stragglers which seemed to be true for a few days, and yesterday it went from stragglers to a swarm again. WEEEE!

Well, when life gives you bees, make LOLBees. These fellows were perched on the window and I happened to get a couple of decent close up shots against the porch overhang.





Cute, yes? This helped for a little while, but I awoke to loud buzzing in the bedroom today. I'm pretty sure there's one in there.... I hope it's only one! I can see a few on the porch, and I'm getting anxious. Already called the complex about it twice now, but they seem to keep coming back and I worry about my elderly neighbor downstairs who has her door open a lot now due to the nice weather.

So, uh, yeah. I have no idea what to expect, as far as what the apt complex calls the "swat team". They appear to have simply put paper or spackle over the spot where they're building a nest and just making them angry. I don't know.

So, yeah, any advise, bee stories that don't involve allergic hospital trips or anything, etc and so on would be most welcome!

EDIT: Also, just so ya know, the door on the porch is the only way in and out of our apt. Lovely!

Ok i was expecting more pics of bumblebee ball pythons .The only way they are going to leave is if they can get to the queen and remove her.If someone has already mentioned this sorry .Please be carefull since you dont know if you are allergic

[joepythons]

Word of warning for everyone.DO NOT smack or swat at a bee or wasp as they WILL return the gesture .I know its hard but if you leave them bee(pun intended here) they will leave you be

[MedusasOwl]

Ok i was expecting more pics of bumblebee ball pythons

Man, if my place were infested with bumblebee ball pythons, I'd be dancing in the streets instead of whining about it in off-topic!

But for the record, I haven't seen a bee at all today or yesterday, so I'm thinkin whatever the office did the second time round worked! Still feel a little paranoid though... but whatcha gonna do, lol.