How to Avoid Bee Stings as a Novice Beekeeper

Getting stung was the number one fear I had as a wanna-be beekeeper. While my concern was valid, considering the close proximity I would be in with the business end of the bees, getting stung is actually a rare occurrence. Most honeybees are more concerned with their daily task of making honey than they are about stinging people. Even so, most novice beekeepers will still have some apprehension and these tips will help you avoid being stung by the bees just as it has me.

Hive Location 

Locate the hives away from areas where humans and pets travel or play. Place them away from the house, garage, garden, etc. and tuck them in an out-of-the-way location that is still easy for you to access and within a few hundred feet of your garden or orchard.

Protective Clothing 

Wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves and protective headgear anytime you approach the hive. You never know who or what has just been by the hive and perhaps riled up the bees into a defense mode, making them ready to attack the next passer-by.

Light Colors 

The common theory is that bees associate dark colored clothing with bear fur and are more apt to attack a person wearing dark colors than one wearing light colors.

Wash Clothing 

Launder beekeeping clothes immediately after each interaction with your bees. If you or your clothing has been stung by bees during your previous interaction with them, the venom from the stings is still in the clothing and can be detected by the bees. The scent of venom sets off an alarm for the bees and provokes them to attack.

Timing 

They always say timing is everything and fewer bees will be at home between the hours of 10am and 5pm. That is their working hours and many are away from the hive gathering nectar and pollen.

Fragrance Free 

Skip the perfume, scented sunscreen, hair gel, heavily scented fabric softener and anything else that has a fragrance when preparing to tend to the bee hive. Bees don't like strong fragrances and even react negatively to body odor.

No Swatting 

The initial reaction to a bee crawling somewhere on your person is to swat it. Don't. A squashed bee sends out a scent that alerts other bees of danger and puts them on high alert to defend their hive. Honeybees are curious by nature and just want to investigate the human in their territory. Gently brush a bee off of your body if desired, but don't swat it.

Source:

Honeybees Online