tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post4749837820691330433..comments2024-01-19T01:16:41.513-08:00Comments on DragonFly Garden: My secret life as a beekeeperRusty in Miamihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17269773686173984184noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-68701567695164039062007-11-17T12:53:00.000-08:002007-11-17T12:53:00.000-08:00Rusty,It sounds like you hive was taken over by Af...Rusty,<BR/><BR/>It sounds like you hive was taken over by Africanized bees. The Miami Dade Fire Department has a Venom Response Team (initially set up for venom snake incidents)that has become quite familiar with incidents like yours. As Scott Mullens has explained to me in the past, the africanize queen bee sneaks in, lays eggs and hatches a brood one day faster then our normal honeybees. Along with being fiercely aggressive, they split hives 3 to 4 times a year and pollinate much less. When attacked, it is said it is best to "Run, run and keep on running" as they can track up to a 1/4 of a mile. They often kill horses and dogs, because they try to attack the attack (horses stomp the ground aggravating them more). Be careful of low lying nest, especially in BBQs and old debris. You can go by the fire station in Sweetwater ( Station 29) Monday thru Friday and ask to speak with one of the Venom guys or girls). I will send you some links for more information as I come across it. I am sorry for you loss of the Bee hive. The south Florida bee population has so many factors against it and our lovely mangoes and lime trees suffer for it.<BR/><BR/>Stay safe,<BR/>JacquieJacquiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06341143022322499236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-90254671529312375582007-11-09T16:35:00.000-08:002007-11-09T16:35:00.000-08:00Dear Rusty,Thank you for sharing your bee adventur...Dear Rusty,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing your bee adventure with us -- quite a scary situation that had an expensive, but happy (except for the bees) ending. As a beginning <A HREF="http://www.myeasygardening.com" REL="nofollow">gardener</A>, I will have to keep an eye on the bees in my yard -- thanks for the heads up! <BR/><BR/>btw, your post made me think of a book I really liked (since you mentioned you're a reader) called "The Secret Life of Bees," by Sue Monk Kidd. The bees are a minor theme, but you may enjoy it!<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>LindaLindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00856895903184791308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-28436209271924597192007-11-04T11:59:00.000-08:002007-11-04T11:59:00.000-08:00Enjoyed your bee story. The only way that beekeepi...Enjoyed your bee story. The only way that beekeeping is safe is when you have hives and all the equipment that goes with the profession. Were these honeybees? I know that they are experiencing colony collapse right now. Bees always follow the orders of the Queen. I'm sorry that you experience was so costly.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08175754179624182953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-29733627120117950472007-11-03T19:42:00.000-07:002007-11-03T19:42:00.000-07:00Ahh . . . As they say, be careful of what you wish...Ahh . . . As they say, be careful of what you wish for!! <BR/><BR/>I've just discovered your site and am delighted to find another florida blogger. Stop by mine - I've linked you :)Wicked Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01540250068640733537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-9479291156263115562007-11-03T08:20:00.000-07:002007-11-03T08:20:00.000-07:00That was quite a bee hive, and I guess a lesson le...That was quite a bee hive, and I guess a lesson learned. Stay with your dream, don't give it up because of one nasty old queen bee!<BR/><BR/>Carol at May Dreams GardensCarol Michelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796344366326535406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-52602251606226782212007-11-02T23:29:00.000-07:002007-11-02T23:29:00.000-07:00What a great story! It would make me sad to see t...What a great story! It would make me sad to see them all go, but I guess not if they were dive bombing me! We have a beekeeper in the neighborhood who keep imploring everyone not to kill his bees. If they bother you, just send them home!, he says. :)Gardenmomma Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09829147691071888606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-78366578306738042622007-11-02T22:02:00.000-07:002007-11-02T22:02:00.000-07:00Yikes, that was quite a hive, 8 feet long?? Some d...Yikes, that was quite a hive, 8 feet long?? Some dreams die hard, don't they? Maybe someday you'll have your bees (friendly ones) and some land to keep them on. <BR/><BR/>I'm surprised no one wanted to collect those bees!LostRoseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06586462466899344347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-23859919479199298142007-11-02T15:59:00.000-07:002007-11-02T15:59:00.000-07:00what a great story. i wonder what makes them attac...what a great story. i wonder what makes them attack all of a sudden but i have heard similar tales of giant hives and attacks.<BR/><BR/>who knows, maybe some day you CAN be a bee-keeper only you wouldn't want to keep them in your attic. <BR/>:-)Meemshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16341998120938921741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-33801006476078274282007-11-02T09:07:00.000-07:002007-11-02T09:07:00.000-07:00I think everyone has a secret life or career they ...I think everyone has a secret life or career they would love to do but others would find silly. Me wanting to go into horticulture is silly to everyone else but that's okay. It sounds like you had a very very large nest. I guess you learned sometimes you can't always get along with mother natures creatures even if you try.Priscilla Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12353263318112375137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36031863.post-19527588916515637622007-11-02T04:09:00.000-07:002007-11-02T04:09:00.000-07:00Hi Rusty.Your dream is over. Im pleased you were a...Hi Rusty.Your dream is over. Im pleased you were able to get inside the house without getting stung..OUCh.Jeanettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16993328454036416214noreply@blogger.com