Damn Bees!

Posted by Beekeeper on Jul 20, 2013; 5:48am
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Damn-Bees-tp4043757.html

I've kept bees for most of the past 50 years.  The new diseases, pests,  along with the GM crop outfits, are making it very difficult to keep them alive, and difficult to produce much harvestable honey.  I began to think that maybe the breeders were partly responsible, because they were selecting for gentleness, calm when handled, and basically breeding the instinct to survive out of them.  So I decided to try some bees from an outfit that I heard had good bees but were a little defensive.  They are doing pretty well, and I opened them up for inspections today. (5 colonies on the patio so I can keep an eye on them)  Getting stung is part of the game, and I effectively became immune to the swelling decades ago,  but these bees hit like a rattlesnake.  I took a sting this morning on the back of my ankle, and it is driving me crazy.  It's not a systemic reaction, and I'm not shocky or anything.  But my damn leg is about twice normal size from the knee to my toes.  And sore!!!  I have the circulating fan on, and the air movement hurts!!  The ex called and wanted me to do something for her, and I told her about my leg (in order to get out of it).  She told me I was turning into a wimp in my old age!  Always good to have support!