Wow, my wonderfully behaved girls have turned into the bees from hell. I guess the honey flows over. Did a little check with out smoking, an hour later they were still flying looking for targets of oportunity.
Dave
where did you get your bee's from, this can tell alot!!!
Dave
I have a hive that I recently traded for that I was checking out this evening that must be a twin to yours. I was wearing my suit, veil, and gloves and they were still trying to get at me. I kept hitting them with the smoke and it didn't have a lot of effect on them. I was wondering about requeening the hive with a calm queen. I wonder how long would it take to calm the hive down, if it would?
Dave
Dave,
I experienced the same behavior with one of my hives recently. Normally calm and then one day possessed.
And then calm again on the next inspection. I was told to expect this behavior during a dirth.
Give them a week and try them again.
Steve
I was told by an experienced beek that sometimes just moving a hive a few feet or changing the direction can make a difference. Also if they are getting bothered by animals they may get short tempered.
Quote from: asprince on August 01, 2007, 11:02:11 PM
I experienced the same behavior with one of my hives recently. Normally calm and then one day possessed.
And then calm again on the next inspection. I was told to expect this behavior during a dearth.
Give them a week and try them again.
I had this happen last summer. I was amazed at how different their temperament was from one week to the next. You'd think that with a wife and two daughters in the house, I wouldn't be surprised, but I was.
i think some smoke would help.
I had a problem with smoke and then sprayed them with sugar watter as a last resort. No more flew but they still weren't happy. The other hives were fine. Next day this one was fine also.
Sunday before last, I transfered bees from a nuc to a hive. I did not wear my suit. The bees were gentle and there was no problem.
This evening I opened the same hive for a look. I was suited up, but could not get my lighter to work so I could lite my smoker so I went in without it. Man were they vicious! I could not get the cover back on fast enough. I got popped twice on the face where my veil touched my face. (time for a new veil) They followed me back to the truck (30 yards). One popped me on the back of the head when I removed my veil. I had to roll down the window to let two out as I was driving off.
My right eye is almost swollen shut.
What did I learn?
1. Never go in without your smoker!
2. The mood of a hive can change daily.
3. Stings to the eye brow HURT and SWELL.
Steve
Eeeh gads. These bees have issues eh? Figure this, when one smokes the hives, the reaction of the bees is to gorge on honey, they have to take flight from the "forest fire" that in nature they must escape and find a new home. They must have lots of food for this flight. If the bees are smoked and there is no extra honey to consume for their flight, they are going to be very, very worried, and this makes them angered, or very, concerned. As parents (and many of us are), we know, when we are worried about the actions of our children that make us scared for them, our entire thoughts turn to anger, it is a reaction that I don't think many of us, as human beings, can avoid, no matter how calm we are. I don't doubt for a minute that the bees are the same in many ways, think about it.....have a wonderful day, beautiful life, Cindi.
I had the same thing happen two days ago. Is there a full moon or something? At one point I had five bees hanging by their stingers from one of my gloves. And they attacked my bee brush like I have never seen -- there had to be forty or fifty of them trying to sting it to death.
I figured it had to be a dearth, but I opened up five other hives on the other side of the yard and they were as calm and gentle as I've ever seen.
Now I am wondering if that first hive is queenless. I'm going to check it out tomorrow... so this may be my last post! ;)
SO strange to hear all this as i have just had exactly the same thing happen! My usually docile and busy girls were like evil twins this last inspection. I had them zinging my veil left and right and just closed them back up and left them the heck alone but not before getting a sting on my right knuckle that hurt worse than any sting i have ever had. So this is indicative of there being a rush on?
I hear that they call it PMS cause they found that mad cow disease was already in use. :evil: :evil: :evil: :-D
Quote from: asprince on August 02, 2007, 10:56:05 PM
Sunday before last, I transfered bees from a nuc to a hive. I did not wear my suit. The bees were gentle and there was no problem.
This evening I opened the same hive for a look. I was suited up, but could not get my lighter to work so I could lite my smoker so I went in without it. Man were they vicious! I could not get the cover back on fast enough. I got popped twice on the face where my veil touched my face. (time for a new veil) They followed me back to the truck (30 yards). One popped me on the back of the head when I removed my veil. I had to roll down the window to let two out as I was driving off.
My right eye is almost swollen shut.
What did I learn?
1. Never go in without your smoker!
2. The mood of a hive can change daily.
3. Stings to the eye brow HURT and SWELL.
Steve
I'm defo with you on number 3 Steve. Got stung about two inces above my eye a few weeks back and 48 hours later my eye was totally shut with major swelling all around too. Wouldn't have been too bad apart from I had a wedding that weekend - could only just git my glasses to fit :) I wonder sometimes whether I have picked the right hobby being allergic as I am.
Got stung by a wasp a weel later on the ear. Thankfully there aint much skin to swell up so just got the itching.
I am not allergic to bee stings but stings to certain tender areas hurt and swell more that other areas.
The swollen eye looked worse that it felt.
It made for interesting conversation!
Steve
Well did a thorough inspection today. Used plenty of smoke they were not too bad. Also they were or are queenless. I assume I accidentally killed her 14 days ago on the last inspection. Between that and the dearth it explains why their mood changed suddenly. They should have a new virgin queen by now, but I will add a frame of eggs to be sure.
Dave
How do you know for sure that you are queenless?
Steve
They have no eggs or open brood most of the brood is hatched out there is a small amount of capped brood. Lots of empty space in the brood nest. Last inspection lots of eggs, open and caaped brood and I saw the queen that was two weeks ago. Thought I was careful but anything can happen.
Dave
Ok.......just asking.
Steve
>Lots of empty space in the brood nest.
I consider this a sign there is probably a virgin queen. They empty the space for her to lay before she actually starts.