I am watering the garden at my own risk! Honeybees and bumblebees are busy doing their jobs in the corn rows and I am deathly afraid of getting stung because I am allergic to them. I guess I need to get the doctor to prescribe me another Epi-pen. In the meantime, what can I do to lower my risk of getting stung? I don't have a bee suit!

Dianna

Bees usually won't still unless provoked. They like to go their merry way.

Wasps....now that's a different story.

The first thing that came to mind was not to wear perfume or deoderant that is highly perfumed.

Anyone else care to elaborate here?

Dianna I agree with Storm
the perfume attracts them.

I remember one summer I was sitting at the patio
area and a wasp came, usually I am running round like a raving lunatic, but this time I sat very still. It landed on my leg and I could see its sting and I thought "this is it" Stung for the first time. And guess what it did?
It pooed on my leg and flew off.

Appartently certain colours also appear to attract bees and wasps.
BLUE clothing in particular seems to be associated with more unprovoked stings.

Storm, I wear unscented perspirant and no perfume in the garden. Would the bees think that I am provoking them with me watering them if they are on the blooms?

Lisa, what color clothing should I be wearing to keep the bees happy? I surely won't be wearing blue now. Thanks for the tip!

Dianna

Dianna,
Here is more information for you.
Always wear White or light coloured clothing when working near bees. Light coloured clothes will help you cool. Dark colours make bees angry. Tuck in all the clothing you are wearing and completely close any openings so bees can't crawl up your trouser legs or shirt sleeves. If your hair is long you should tie it back so that the bees do not get tangled in it and get angry.
Don't wear perfumes and smelly lotions when you are working near bees.
Move slowly and calmly. Bees are attracted to quick movement.
Work early in the morning or in the evening when the bees are not as active.

Not sure how do-able this is for you, but it's a thought. You could get a soaker hose and not have to walk among them on a daily basis. I'm becomming a big soaker hose fan since I made my 'broken hose' soaker. It's great! Hope it helps you as much as it has me.

And don't walk around with splashed on
Pepsi or anything other soda pop!!!

*And always look into your can of pop
BEFORE you drink it!!!* :p

Certain flowers are more attractor's
of bees, find out what you have,
find a list of plants that are high volume plants
and keep the high volume plants on the
perimeter's of your place/garden/house..
So, you get the bees, but stay mainly out where you're NOT!!!

Also, same for water supplies, mud supplies
and wood supplies..
Each type of bee, wasp, etc.. is looking for those types of material to build homes..
Mud dubbers' love mud..
The wasps/hornets, take wood and chew it
up and make their paper homes...

And they all need water, so put those on the perimeter's of your garden/house/property!!!!!!

All Posts:

This was great banter. I learned a lot myself.

Thanks for all the little tips, they add up to a lot!!!