Mean Girls

[Jerrymac]

Nooo. Not the movie.

The temperature was around 45F so I went out to finish putting some 1/4 inch wire cloth or screen or what ever you call it on the entrances for mouse guards. Every time I passed in front of a hive a bee would shoot out. I didn't even see or feel the one that popped me on the base of my thumb until I was popped.

(I think it is called hail screen in some parts)

[Hopeful]

JM,

My bees are also somewhat aggressive. I envy those who say they work their bees with only a veil. I get stung nearly everytime I approach the hives. I have asked about this phenomenon and was told by my mentor that it is to be expected; that there are always a few "mean girls" in every hive. I told him about the many stories I hear about beeks not wearing protection and tending 30 hives without being stung. He is skeptical (he's had bees for 15 years and has 300 hives). Those who say they go without protection say I should requeen because my bees should not be that aggressive. Some have said that it may be because I am in Oklahoma and am using Texas bees that may have been slightly africanized. These say that I should buy bees only from northern states.

WDYT?

[tig]

i usually work my hives with only a veil and normally without having to use a smoker.  i very seldom get stung as long as the weather is nice and sunny but their disposition deteriorates along with the weather.  there are some hives that are more aggresive than the rest and those i have noted. if the weather is nasty i use a smoker and all is calm.  if your bees are really aggressive, maybe you should consider requeening with a gentle line.

btw: the only reason i keep the aggresive hives is because they usually make more honey than the gentle ones and defend themselves better against predators such as wasps and apis ceranas.

[Hopeful]

Good point. Of my 12 hives, I have three that are more aggressive than the rest. And yes, these are the healthiest hives, with the most bees and put out the most honey.The last time I fed them I found a dead wasp in the top of my largest and most aggressive hive. "Good job, Ladies!" Now just do not use that protective energy against your feeder! ;)

[tig]

i hear you!  i sometimes feel its the classic case of "biting the hand that feeds you!"

[Cindi]

I still only work the bees with a veil, yes, my smoker on hand.  I have been experimenting not using smoke at all, and even during this past fall I haven't used smoke.  So far, so good. Next year, I will still have smoker on hand, but I am attempting to not use any smoke at all.

There will always be those bees buzzing around to check you out, but if you have a veil on, you are protected where it is most important.  Actually, I go in there with the view, that so what if I get a few stings (rarely I do), it is good therapy for my achy knees from kneeling so much weeding, so I don't care a hither or a dither if I get stung anyways.  Now there are people that must take really good caution about bee stings, like (obviously) if you have allergic reactions.

I will wear my bee suit only for warmth in the fall, it is not for protection from the bees.  I do not wear my black coat when I work the bees, nor my dark coloured vest, light colours only.  Hmmm...thinking out loud. Have a wonderful and beautiful day, great life.  Cindi

[Jerrymac]

I knew ya'll would read that wrong. I wasn't working the hive. I just passed in front of some and moved some dead weeds out of the way. As mentioned it was cool 45F with a slight breeze. The bees were not out flying but evidently they were looking out the entrance because at least one would fly out of each hive to see what was going on. I think this one could have landed on my shirt sleeve is the reason I didn't feel her there and then moved my arm causing the sleeve to push her against my skin.

My hives are the never know types I guess. Sometimes you work one hive and all is well. The next hive does their best to run you off. Then the next time you mess with them they good is now the bad and the bad is now the good.  :roll:

Come early Spring I could probably go out and kick the hives over and they would pay much attention to me. Or they might dog pile me. But nope... won't work a hive without full gear.

[BMAC]

I wouldnt work your bees without full gear either.  Have you had any africanized bee issues yet?

I disrupted 4 of my hives last night.  I had 4 decent sized NUCS out back.  My plan is to garage them for the winter, so last night about 6pm I brought them up front of the house.  Only a couple came out.  they were pretty surprised with I tacked their special entrance on the front of the hives.  They were even more shocked when I took the lid off and screwed on the screened lid.  I think it was about 45 degrees out last night when I did this.

I didnt once put on any protective gear.  Of course I did not procrastinate much either.  Now all 4 colonies are in my garage for the winter.  Lots of ventilation and time to keep them.

I run a garden hose from their special entrance to the window close by.  I still need to trim the hose to the correct length for outside and such.  Once I am all done I will take some snap shots and post them on here.  I figured I would put them in the garage so in the spring when it starts getting pretty nice outside I will throw a space heater close to them and drive the temps in the garage close to 80 degrees.  That should get them moving pretty good :-D

[KONASDAD]

Rarelu use vail and suit or gloves. Always use smoke. When I dont, I always get stung. Still like/want to use gloves but try not too.During a flow, i could probably go w/o smoke too. More agressive in fall too.
Jerry, my bees something similar this time of year. I jsut approach from behind and they seem to ignore me even if i do the same chore like putting on mouse guard .

[Shawn]

I posted awhile ago whem myson got stung when we went to help a friend. he just got out and started to walk into the yard and he got stung on the ear and the bees were flying everywhere Dont know why he got stung and no one else did. He did not swat or run and WHAM! There is good that comes from everything. We know he is not yet allergic to bee stings.

[tig]

yeah there are days when the girls are just downright vicious!  i can't even go near the boxes without them coming out to attack.  thankfully it happens when the weather is bad and i've learned to have the smoker ready.

living in the tropics we don't have winter but we do have a long rainy season spell lasting from 4 to 6 months.  feeding is a necessity so many times we're forced to feed even when raining.  thats when the girls have a bad attitude problem and i'm resigned to getting stung several times LOL.

[qa33010]

  I've ocassionally been headbutted and rarely stung as I walked by my hives here in town.    The closer to the front of the hive I am as I walk by the more attention they give me.  Of course the farthest I can get from the front is about six feet with the neighbors fence up and all. 

The only thing I don't wear any more is gloves.  I keep smoke handy though.

[mlewis48]

     Of my 7 hives, 5 are Buckfast, the others are a real dark bee that  I got off a retired beeks. The Buckfast hives, I can visit without gloves or vail BUT the dark bees, you better be in full gear because they will meet you 10 feet in front of the hive. With an attitude!! They headbutt more than they sting. But on a day that I forget to zip up all the way, they seem to find that 2 inch opening and let me know that I messes up! I wonder, if I requeen those colony's , would they calm down. I can't get them to realize that I am their friend, not their foe. :-\

[Cindi]

mlewis48.  Yep, I would requeen with a docile breed.  Who wants to be attacked within 10 feet of the hive, eeks, not my cup of tea.  Have a wonderful and greatest of this day, great health.  Cindi

[reinbeau]

Hey, mlewis48, put your location into your profile so you are no longer hopelessly lost.... :)