Saw a BEAUTIFUL sight today!

[tyusclan]

The crepe myrtles are in full bloom, and just as we were leaving for church this morning we noticed that it was COVERED in bees. There were bumblebees, carpenter bees, and honey bees, all working that crepe myrtle. I just love seeing bees work.

We have one hive at a friends place that we just put a super on. We're hoping to get honey from that hive this year. The other hive here we just got started in May. When we checked on it the first time after putting the package in the hive the queen was gone. No sign of the hive killing her, she was just gone. There were a few larvae, but no eggs. Got the new queen in the hive last Saturday, so we'll check in a few days to see if she's settled in. Maybe we can get it off to good start now.

The workers are doing their part if we can just get a good queen going.

[chamoisee]

How nice! I'm so glad you appreciate bees. I love them too.

[doohap]

I LOVE seeing bees!

We planted an African Blue Basil at the garden center where I work part time. Like your crepe myrtles, bees and wasp-like creatures would practically cover the large bush at times. Customers often expressed concern about having such a plant in their gardens ... you know ... the little stinkers (or should I say stingers?) scared them. I'd always say, "Look, as long as they have all these good flowers and plants to feed on, they are not really interested in you." Then I'd simply walk into the bush and the bees and wasps would just move around me and continue on with their little chores. Knock on wood, I've never been stung ONCE by a bee that was busy on a bush. They WILL check you out, somtimes. You know, fly around you, seeing just what you are, but usually, unless you're out to harm them or have them cornered, they basically don't mind your presence.

Sorry for the long wind ... just LOVE bees!

Smiles and Sweet Aromas,
doohap

P.S. -- I learned not to fear wasps by working construction in an industrial plant. Sometimes I'd be way up, say 75 yo 100 feet or so, on a slim tower and there'd wasp nest all 'round. Couldn't be swattin' and swingin' stuff at them. Not only would that be precarious in such a location (though I was ALWAYS hooked to a safety line), but usually such efforts just ----ed them off. If I stayed calm and let them check me out, they alway left me alone.

[tyusclan]

Originally Posted by doohap

P.S. -- I learned not to fear wasps by working construction in an industrial plant. Sometimes I'd be way up, say 75 yo 100 feet or so, on a slim tower and there'd wasp nest all 'round. Couldn't be swattin' and swingin' stuff at them. Not only would that be precarious in such a location (though I was ALWAYS hooked to a safety line), but usually such efforts just ----ed them off. If I stayed calm and let them check me out, they alway left me alone.

Bees I don't mind in the least, but wasps are another matter altogether. I won't even pull a cover off an a/c unit without having a can of that 20ft spray, instant knockdown, super high-powered wasp spray drawn and cocked. If I was a hundred feet up a tower, I'd want a whole case with me.

[doohap]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

Bees I don't mind in the least, but wasps are another matter altogether. I won't even pull a cover off an a/c unit without having a can of that 20ft spray, instant knockdown, super high-powered wasp spray drawn and cocked. If I was a hundred feet up a tower, I'd want a whole case with me.

Yeah, it's kinda freaky with them flying so close to your face! But, really, they're usually just lookin' at 'cha. Stinging, biting creatures I DO avoid and give distance to are hornets, horseflies and yellowjackets, all a MEAN bunch of folk!


doohap

[kruizeag]

my son and I were just talking about bees and how important they are, thank you for sharing this with us!