Post by Jeremy Kosciuch on May 21, 2010 16:19:56 GMT -5
I know this is weird, but bananas contain the chemical that IS the alarm pheromone of the honeybee(STING!). If you eat one and do not brush and go anywhere bees are you risk being stung in a tender spot.
Remember also, that bees do not like dark colors, and they see in the uv/blue/green/yellow spectrum. They have excellent vision and see red as black. They have limited hearing, picking up vibration primarily, and work mostly through smell. Pheromones is the key word here, controlling everything they do. They can be attracted by bright clothing and perfumes. Strong body odor is also sure to upset them. The theory is bears and wild bees coexisted for a long time and the appearance of a big smelly dark thing (bear), may provoke a defensive reaction. A good rule of thumb for bee weather (anything above 55 degrees) would be blues or greens I would think, in any shade, the lighter the better of course. Of course white works too, and remember cotton, natural. Bees are less likely to sting something that is familiar and natural. They don't like fur, wool or leather though. Fuzzy synthetics are definitely not a good choice especially bright yellow flowers on a black background with green. To excellent compound eyes you look like a bush. Do not swat, the bee will figure it out and leave soon enough.
Swarms, that is real swarms, clumps of bees looking for a home rarely sting, and then only if seriously disturbed. If they have been in one spot for a few days however, they mat be super defensive, because they have not been able to locate a suitable cavity and began building comb, say, under the old carport, and have brood. Knowledge is again best, and if you are not sure how long a swarm has been in one location, suit up.
Remember also, that bees do not like dark colors, and they see in the uv/blue/green/yellow spectrum. They have excellent vision and see red as black. They have limited hearing, picking up vibration primarily, and work mostly through smell. Pheromones is the key word here, controlling everything they do. They can be attracted by bright clothing and perfumes. Strong body odor is also sure to upset them. The theory is bears and wild bees coexisted for a long time and the appearance of a big smelly dark thing (bear), may provoke a defensive reaction. A good rule of thumb for bee weather (anything above 55 degrees) would be blues or greens I would think, in any shade, the lighter the better of course. Of course white works too, and remember cotton, natural. Bees are less likely to sting something that is familiar and natural. They don't like fur, wool or leather though. Fuzzy synthetics are definitely not a good choice especially bright yellow flowers on a black background with green. To excellent compound eyes you look like a bush. Do not swat, the bee will figure it out and leave soon enough.
Swarms, that is real swarms, clumps of bees looking for a home rarely sting, and then only if seriously disturbed. If they have been in one spot for a few days however, they mat be super defensive, because they have not been able to locate a suitable cavity and began building comb, say, under the old carport, and have brood. Knowledge is again best, and if you are not sure how long a swarm has been in one location, suit up.