I got two hives of Italians side by side. I can mow to within 3 feet of them and they do not even stir in my direction. I have garden plants 5 feet from them and I regularly check them and they show no interest in me. Is this normal or do I just have tame hives?
I would say it is normal.
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our state says 95% are Africans! just wait till they move them all over the country. then a full bee suit will be the norm.
We are lucky I have not heard of any Africanized bees up here. Is there any hope to tame the African bees?
Jay I am goign to call BS on Florida's statement that 95% of feral colonies here are Africanized....That is a bureaucratic CYA statement.
Can some colonies be more aggressive than others yes.....does an aggressive colony mean its africanized...absolutely not...ask anyone who has ever run russians ;-)
Here's my first hive a few years ago.
https://youtu.be/l_Jrw3NG31k
Folks south of the border love their AHB.
All bees are tame until they are not. As they expand or grow in size they exhibit more aggression, just like humans. You never experienced a grouchy old fart? The old farts are grouchy because they know there is nothing you can do with them. Most of their life is over and they are angry because the younger whippersnappers are not listening to what they have to say. If they could only learn...
Quote from: KeyLargoBees on May 06, 2016, 12:27:35 PM
Jay I am goign to call BS on Florida's statement that 95% of feral colonies here are Africanized....That is a bureaucratic CYA statement.
Can some colonies be more aggressive than others yes.....does an aggressive colony mean its africanized...absolutely not...ask anyone who has ever run russians ;-)
+1
Feral mutts cut from a water meter.
(http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/Sunchaser01/Bee%20Stuff/DSCN0708_zpsed7dncmz.jpg) (http://s865.photobucket.com/user/Sunchaser01/media/Bee%20Stuff/DSCN0708_zpsed7dncmz.jpg.html)
Quote from: Acebird on May 06, 2016, 08:05:00 PM
All bees are tame until they are not. As they expand or grow in size they exhibit more aggression,
That's for sure - I've had several 'pu$$y-cat' nucs, which grew into horror stories. So I've found that there's little point in evaluating queens only at the nuc stage.
LJ
if they are too mean show them the vacume
Quoteif they are too mean show them the vacume
And in your best Eric Cartman voice shout at them "RESPECT MY AUTHORITAY!!!"