Not so much "Bees gone bad" (unless African genes), more a case of "Bees will be Bees" - Not that that ameliorates the pain none.. Glad to see/hear/read that the effects of the venom are abating..

We are providing Bed and Breakfast for a new colony for a local beekeeper, who is mentoring my interest. Not yet having full kit, I keep out of the way during manipulations (have still collected a couple of minor stings possibly a case of "mistaken identity" for the monster that disturbed their home.. ) I need to cut the long grass, nettles etc near the hive and I asked how close I could go. My mentor advised against powered tools any where close to the hive but much safer with a scythe - quieter and no need for earmuffs and so more likely to be aware that the bees' "DEFCON" has gone to red...

I understand that an approaching "threat" is checked out by the hive guards. If the interloper does not back off, the squadrons are launched. As you say, Billy, the smell of the venom of the first sting acts like a laser beacon "lighting up" the target.

Blimey Billy, that looks really sore, hope you feel much better soon and it results in no long term problems.

If the bees don't like noise or vibration and get this stroppy over a brush cutter they would go absolutely ape with my neighbours. (Any chance I could borrow the bees?......he..he...revenge in the offing).

Like Ecocentric I would have advised using a scythe in future but I remember you mentioning elsewhere that you have about five acres or more, so would be a bit knackering.

As for "lie in the long" or would it be more like "smoke the long"? Plus, laying in the long grass, you could end up too "groovy" think of the Boursin advert and the combine.

Bit of an extreme way of preventing arthritis, or is money too tight to pay out for acupuncture. If you could train the bees to target the right area it may be a cheaper method for this or the botox effect, just don't overdo it, you don't want the handsome features ruined by a "trout-pout".

I get the "unbalanced" remarks myself, possibly something to do with the wild/manic stare that may cross the countenance occasionally I suppose. I even had one workmate compare me to Charlie Manson once although I think the short sleeved orange shirt had something to do with this comparison. He looked a bit uncertain when I exaggerated the manic stare and offered to show him a nice spot in the desert. The hair is much shorter and the beard much reduced now and has softened the look somewhat but was rather like your own fine example, just a little more so.

I've been reduced to one eye closed after collecting a large flake of paint in it, very disorientating verging on inducing quasi drunken behaviour/staggering.

My wife had a similar experience when we were on holiday in Canada in 2007 when we had been walking through the woodlands for a few hours. My daughter and I had turned around to be presented with the wife, her face covered in blood where the black fly had been feasting on her. We put the extreme nature of the attack down to the fact she had been on 1000mg iron tablets to counter a diagnosis of extreme anaemia. Her face ballooned up and she ended up looking like a member of the cast of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" for a few days after, protruding forehead included.

It may be worth wearing your bee keeping hat when using the brush cutter it they tend to target the head, may be the only way to get the work done without a repeat performance of the "flight of the bumble bee". I know they are probably honey bees but it's the only title I could think of.

Take care,

Rob54.

Look, I can see again!

My youthful boyish good looks almost restored!

Hurrah for steroids!

It is a huge relief to be getting back to normal I must say. The ballooning thing was very uncomfortable and very disturbing.

But your other eye appears to be closed now!

Glad you are recovering.

May I suggest only ever approaching strimming when in full bee gear?

Gard, tis Ian Anderson!

Glad it's better.

Nice to see you are no longer puffy Billy.
Not sure about the boyish good looks though - you're not in a playground with a guitar in that pic...

I thought the entire planet was Billy's playground..

Picking up on Rob's musical reference, I think an appropriate accompaniment would be that immortal Joplin piano rag "The Enternainer" used in a certain Newman/Redford fillum.

Good to see the matinee-idol features are on the mend Billy. I see that the auditions for the lead role in the making of the life story of Robert Newton are going well also, "Ahaar me hearties!!!

Someone's nicked your eyepatch though and the hat on the stand behind you will need changing for a proper three cornered jobbie.

Was the mispelling of "The Enternainer" intentional Ecocentric, as I am sure the bees tried their best to maim poor Billy. It is a much more appropriate tune I think. If you close your eyes you can even imagine Billy dancing to the tune as the bees gang-up on him, give it a try. Sorry Billy it's my gallows humour seeping through.

I think we should be told the truth Billy, was this all a cover up or "Bee-gate" and the real reason for the swelling is the right cross delivered by the guv'nor (her wot' wears the trousers) for not being quick enough in carrying out one of her commands? If it is you can tell us, we understand these sort of things.

All the Best,

Rob54

I think I must be developing post-senile dyslexia - I read that as manatee-idol (IIRC, that might be due to avatar atavism.. )

lapsus digitae.. see above..

Small after thunk - Billy, how close to the hive(s) were you working prior to them "going to Plan Bee"..?? I need to do some work about 20 ft from our hive site. Would be easier with brushcutter as bramble, scrub, rock and, possibly wire or other hazards for a scythe. After clearance, I will need to do some tickling with the digger. I suppose I could do both operations in full bee armour but may need to get a more errr.. ample sized jacket and veil (the one I am borrowing is slightly over-snug)

I went back at the weekend and extracting a super of honey from each hive and teh bees didn't get agitated at all. (2 gallons of honey - yum).
I was also back yesterday finishing off the brushcutting to lay the new electric fences. I took the precaution of going in full bee fig this time but, of course, not a single bee came anywhere near me.
I think unless something has disturbed them already - in my case it was Mrs R inspecting the hive, you should be fine. Normally I can walk up to within a couple of feet of the hives, quite without protection and they are not bothered in the slightest. Just one of those freak occurences.
I would suggest the best thing is to approach gradually with the brushcutter going and observe carefully if any bees start coming your way. If so retreat and go for plan B(ee). If not, strim with impunity.

So Billy - are you now saying it was all your wife's fault?

I'll know not to annoy her again.

I'd just check that there isn't a huge insurance policy that has recently been taken out as well.

thats made me chuckle

OH regularly uses the strimmer under the hive and I have been able to reapply beeswax and linseed oil to the balding patches on a sunny day with no interest taken in me at all. I must just have very laid back bees!

Have you noticed any significant improvement to OH's bald patches..??..Or is it just "French Polishing"..??..

Tut, tut, children. Language.

Here some plain information to get us back on track: I was stung by a wasp ages ago, and had a hand that was three times it's normal size for weeks, and I also react badly to mosquito bites, but when I was stung on top of my head by a bee last month I hardly had a reaction at all. So they don't seem to be correlated.

And no jokes about balding patches, please!

I recall that wasp stings are acid and bee venom is alkali (or vicky verka.. ) Not sure what mozzies are.. Not getting a bad reaction to two out of three has got to be a bonus..