784 
STINGS 
the frames, making quick movements, and 
one or two start flying up as if about to 
attack, more smoke should be blown over 
the combs. If, however, a few of them 
crawl leisurely over the combs, apparently 
paying no attention to anything, the frames 
may be separated with a hive-tool or a 
screwdriver; but the smoker should be 
kept conveniently in the other hand; and 
if at any moment the bees show a disposi¬ 
tion to rush out or sting, more smoke 
should be used. 
10. If there is a division-board in the 
hive it should be removed. The frames 
should be separated on either side of the 
one that is to be taken out. If the operator 
or beginner is timid he should blow smoke 
over the tops of the frames, and then very 
quietly lift the frame selected, being care¬ 
ful to avoid jerks or quick movements, and 
especially careful not to roll the bees over 
when pulling it out. This cannot be em¬ 
phasized too strongly. Crushed or maimed 
bees may stir up the colony to a fighting 
pitch. This should be avoided by all means. 
After the first comb is removed, the others 
may be taken out very easily. 
11. The operator should not only avoid 
mashing or killing bees, but he should 
never jerk the hands back, even if two or 
three bees do rush out and make a bluff 
as if they were about to sting, which they 
will seldom do. If the hand is held 
stationary when they make these onslaughts 
they will seldom sting; but if the hand is 
jerked backward it may be stung by two 
or three bees. Just the moment that a 
bee inserts its claws the hand should be 
withdrawn, and, when away from the hive, 
quickly rubbed against the clothing in such 
a way as to brush the bee off before it can 
sting. 
12. One should learn to distinguish be¬ 
tween bees that are angry and those that 
are flying about aimlessly. Cross bees will 
be detected by their high keynote and their 
quick darting movements in flight. A bee 
that nervously flits back and forth before 
the face, giving out a high keynote, is 
cross, and will sting unless the operator 
has his face protected by a veil. The best 
thing to do with such bees is to pay no 
attention to them, if protected. 
13. When replacing the frames, they 
should be put back in the same order they 
were in originally, being careful not to 
pinch any bees. 
14. Bees are much more inclined to sting 
during a time when there is a dearth of 
honey, and when robbing has been allowed 
to get started. (See Robbing.) One 
should not leave a hive open very long 
when stray bees from other hives are hov¬ 
ering over the tops of the combs, now and 
then darting into the hives or on to the 
combs, attempting to steal. 
15. After the hive has been opened up 
and has stood for a while without any 
manipulation, the frames left in the hive 
should receive two or three puffs of smoke 
before handling. This is to drive down 
the guards. 
16. Hot breath from a human being or 
an animal when combs are handled very 
often starts bees to rush off the combs by 
the dozen and alight on the veil. If one 
has no face protection he may receive a 
dozen stings in the fraction of a second. 
37. Bees are more apt to sting a man or 
an animal when he is sweaty and gives off 
a strong odor. However, the practical 
beekeeper pays but little attention to what 
his condition may be. His experiences 
will determine what to do if the bees show 
a disposition to be cross. At such times 
the smoker should always be ready. It is 
the indispensable implement in the yard, 
and should be in condition to give off a 
volume of smoke at any instant—not that 
one’s life depends on it, but rather to save 
time and to avoid stings. 
38. Children should not be allowed to 
race thru a bee-yard when bees are busy in 
going to the field, or at any other time 
when they might be a little cross. They 
should be cautioned to go around the 
apiary. While the children of beekeepers 
sometimes become careless, they should 
avoid, as far as possible, doing anything 
that will cause unnecessary irritation to the 
bees, thereby provoking them to sting. 
19. Never hitch a team or a horse near 
a hive of bees. A single sting will some¬ 
times cause a horse to break loose, rush 
thru the yard, knocking over hive after 
hive. If for any reason he becomes en¬ 
tangled in his harness he will be stung to 
death, and at the same time the life of the 
owner may be in danger in trying to save 
the animal. When hives are knocked oyer 
