Lads and Bees - Now with Poll

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 1:51 pm

I was looking at my neighbour's beehive yesterday and wondered whether anyonoe has ever told a lad that he should have his photo taken with some bees? The Milk and Honey church thing has been done I know, but it seems to me that a sure sign of faith would be to pose next to a hive without any protective clothing. After the lad has already supplied a picture of himself so that there's no chicanery involved. I believe that African bees are particularly amusing...

Quote:

What is the African bee parental type's most noticeable characteristic?
The AHB defends its nest (stings) far more intensely than does the European honey bee. The African honey bee responds quickly to disturbances by people and animals 50 feet or more from the nest, and can sense vibrations from power equipment 100 feet or more from the nest. AHB will chase an enemy up to a mile or more. Their defensive behavior is thought to have evolved because of the many biological competitors, including humans, in the bees' native Africa. There, only the most defensive bees can survive. Apicultural activity in much of Africa is confined largely to bee hunting rather than beekeeping. This practice is a form of selection that has favored a population of bees unpredictable in behavior.

I've done a search but couldn't find anything.

Just a thought anyway.... Smile

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:21 pm

I used to keep bees. When Africanized bees arrived, they became very mean, hard to work with, prone to swarming. Getting your lads to test their faith with running a chain saw near a nest would be interesting...

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:32 pm

Does anyone remember the Killer Bee warning that was going on in the US a few years back? Didn't they come from Africa?

I like this a lot, Rorschach. I think you should absolutely focus on it. A lad covered in bees would be a VERY great trophy, I think.

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:52 pm

^^^
Unfortunately until I get an internet connection at home - which is unlikely to be anytime soon - I can't do any baiting myself these days. The IT Nazis at my new workplace prevent any access to any web based email accounts Evil or Very Mad

. So all I can do for now is toss that idea out for anyone that fancies playing with it......

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 2:55 pm

^^ Yes, Researchers crossed African killer bees that produce large amounts of honey, with placid common bees that produce not so much.
The idea was to produce a bee that produced large amounts of honey and didn't attack at the drop of hat.

What they got though, were bees that only produced small amounts of honey and wanted it all for themselves, so went mad at anyone that came close. Experiment failed so they them go or they "escaped". Rolling Eyes

Reminds me of a George Bernard Shaw story:

He was sitting next to a very pretty girl at a lunch and she turned to the great man and said, that if they were to a baby together it would have his brains and her looks.

There is another possible outcome he replied. It is just as likely to have your brains and my looks.

Sorry, it's Friday and I haven't got much work on. Wink

Lads and angry bees sounds like a great idea though. Very Happy

P.S.
Oh yeah, I also remember from a program about bees, it's carbon dioxide that drives them into an absolute stinging fit. So tell your lad he must sing to them up close to keep them calm. Wink

** ACCOUNT CLOSED ** Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 766

What are the ethics of Getting Lads Stung?

Discuss. . . .

J.D.

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:03 pm

^ I'm sure with the correct counseling the bees will get over it. Wink

lost in translation Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 531

The Africanized bees escaped from a researcher in South America and have made their way up to the Southern USA. After efforts to halt their progress have failed, efforts have been more recently to encourage breeding with European bees to produce calmer offspring. Seems to be working somewhat.

As to ethics, if we are talking about exposing lads to ferocious bees I think that is going over the line as it could result in serious injuries. However, I have heard that some Africans routinely eat wild honey that they themselves collect so it might not be at all bothersome to them.

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:16 pm

I don't see the problem. So long as his faith is strong enough the lad should be able to reproduce this

with no fear of harm. Even if his faith does fail him all he need do is outpace the swarm over a distance of a mile or so....

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 4:25 pm

Bee beards!!!

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 8:38 pm

Unless you are physically holding a gun to your lad's head and forcing him to stick his face in a beehive, I don't see what the ethical problem is. Greed makes people do strange - and stupid - things. Not the baiters' fault....

Not quite a Newb Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 79

I agree with bunnyrabbit about the ethics.

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:20 pm

Medieval Christians held the bee in high esteem, according to T. H. White's A Book Of Beasts. I think it had something to do with their heirarchy and work ethic - that last is something alien to most Lads....

Master Baiter Joined: 22 Dec 2005 Posts: 211

The ultimate test of bravery would involve the lad being filmed with a video camera while tossing pebbles at the beehive. The most devout congregation members are known to cast no fewer than 10 pebbles at a hive without moving from their standing position.

And if the lad wants to dramatically improve his standing with the church, he may use a slingshot to fire his pebbles at the hive with greater force. No doubt this would earn him more points, as it retells the "David and Goliath" parable (sort of!).

** ACCOUNT CLOSED ** Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 766

^^^^Regarding the ethics, that is just a joke regarding the past rash of "what are the ethics of _____" threads whenever someone had a novel idea.

I, myself, have no sympathy for the Lads. If you could get one to [CENSORED--Ed.] a bee hive, I would lobby for a sig-icon for that!

--J.D.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 18313

Ah, it's almost an ethics thread! Very Happy

I think it would be very mean to the bees. Some bees die after stinging. Those poor bees would be ITP's.

So, if someone is to do this, how do you find the lads who are allergic to bees for the task?

** ACCOUNT CLOSED ** Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 766

Ima Baeder wrote:

Those poor bees would be ITP's.

Quote:

. . . how do you find the lads who are allergic to bees for the task?

Which would then beg the question: is it ethical if you advise the Lad to bring an epinephrine syringe?

ANYWAYS, if you can get a Lad to do this, I am sure everyone awaits the video!

--J.D.

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:26 pm

I've had a pretty nasty experience with African bees. I can tell you for a fact that the lad will definitely give up 419ing if U can successfully get him to mess with 'em. One less lad. I think that's a win for ethics.

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:16 pm

OP edited to add poll, as I think we need to get to the bottom of this. Or perhaps some bees need to get to the bottom of the lads.

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:20 pm

If you can get a lad to do this then mucho kudos mate, but I'd go with the hornets Twisted Evil

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:27 pm

I have voted yes but I do hold some concerns for the poor bees that will be harmed, I then started to consider that bees do have a short life span and they do willingly die to protect their honey wether it be lad or anything else trying to steal the honey.

I am starting to think maybe hornets would be a better choice as they dont normally die after stinging and therfore no ITPs.

Either way a few bees lost for the cause would be acceptable collateral damage.