This past May we got our first hive and installed our first package of bees. Life was grand...until a couple weeks ago. Our bees seem to be more aggressive. We never got stung and now have been stung the last two times going into the hive. We also have what we think are bigger bees raiding our hive. We thought as first they were drones, but are not so sure anymore. We also see a lot of bees tumbling at the entrance as if they're being kicked out of the hive. The bigger bees seem to have a fuzzy thorax and a black abdomen. Any thoughts? THANKS
HI, sounds like a robbing thing by your description, reduce the entrance down, that helps alot. The bees tend to be a bit more aggresive if there being robbed. I get stung just about once everytime I go into my hives. I don't always smoke them. LOL When I do smoke their lots better. But I think you need to reduce the entry and watch them. Also as the hive gets bigger the bees have more to defend. Especially now, winter is coming and they don't want there stores taken.
This is my first year as well but have seen exactly what your describing.
It could be drones getting kicked out.
It would help to know your location.
In the fall there are more bees in your hive than ever. this means more guard bees too. The also get more protective of the honey they collected all sumer.
Later in the fall the workers kick out the drones so it might look like they are fighting.
Jim
We did throw in the entrance reducer and came back an hour or so later....they were considerably calmer and we saw no sign of the "robber" bees. All is good! :-D
Thanks for the quick response!
If they are drones being kicked out then there is probably a dearth which will make them a lot grumpier. If they are robbers then that will also make them very grumpy.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesrobbing.htm
If you think they are just getting hot in general without reason, then I'd requeen them. If they are impossible to work at all then you may have to take more extreme measures:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesrequeeninghot.htm