How do beekeepers not get stung?

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I just saw a video of a woman not wearing any sort of suit or protective clothing moving a whole beehive, and even going as far as scooping up bees with her hands. I always feel like anytime I’m even close to a bee I might get stung. How do they avoid it?

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13 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

I love when bees start to hive.

Once a coworker drove off with a hive forming on the rack of his Subaru. He figured the 30 minute freeway drive would knock them off. He showed up to work the next day with the bees still swarming. lol

I love when bees start to establish their hives. It’s fun to find the drones, see if you can find the queen.

You can place your hand, and they will cover it. You can carefully move them and part them, so long as you’re gentle — no accidental stings.

When I can, I’ll move them from the water meter boxes to somewhere better.

Honey bees are very docile.

I’ve been interacting with them since I was a little kid and I still do as an adult. What I’ve observed, is people who freak out or get anxious and spastic are attacked. I know there are times where I choose not to interact with bees bc I don’t “feel” right // anxious because I learned the bees get agitated and don’t respond to me the same.

That goes for yellow jackets too—don’t freak out. I’ve had countless experiences in the field where a nest has been disturbed, and I’ve walked away with a sting or two from a bugger that got down my collar while friends and colleagues panicked and got 50+. Could be if everyone didn’t panic I’d get stung more, so maybe… lol

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