Okay, I already asked and got some answers but I am still having trouble. The first time I picked prickly pears I wore cotton gloves and the Glochids went right through the cotton and I used tweezers and a magnifying glass and a couple of hours pulling most of them out. Some I couldn't see and it took a week or so to get them all out.
Next time I removed the pears with hot dog tongs, grip and twist off the pear and bag. Worked great. I used a propane torch in the kitchen to "Burn off" the glochids but I didn't get them all and in peeling the things still got stuck. What's more, in burning them off and handling them, I think some of them fell on the floor. Well I walk around barefoot so then had them in my feet.
There are folks that make prickly pear jelly for a living, there has to be a better way (I think). Any help appreciated.
Next, I've been using Sure jell- works fine but it costs about $3.50 and that's only for a couple of jars. I try to save money whenever possible. Is there some less expensive alternative?
Most places sell Prickly Pear jelly for about $7 a jar, more than regular types, maybe because of the bother making it???

Get a 5 gal propane bottle and a pear burner. Burn them on the plant BEFORE you pick them.

This. But I prefer Nopales over the fruit.

I've only made jelly once, but did not get stuck. Wore heavy gloves to harvest and then put them on the Weber and fired her up, turning them with tongs until made safe for humanity. I agree that the amount of pectin called for costs a few bucks. If there is a cheaper way ...

Thanks on the pear burner, I checked the net, harbor freight about $24. I didn't know there was such a thing.
The seeds, if you plant them- how long does it take to grow a Prickly Pear cactus? Off hand I thought they took a long time to grow.
I think I'll try it once again.
The pears I picked, the cacti has produced new pears in those places.

Cut off a healthy pad and lay it sideways with a little mound of soil on the cut end. Doesn't take much -- but be sure to fence out the javelinas!