too hot for me

[Brian D. Bray]

Old beekeeper's adage: Hot weather, Hot Bees.  
The crankiness comes from the fact that the bees have switched modes.  They are now in a pre-winter mode where they want to maximize stores and remove excess or useless mouths.  Now is when you should start seeing drone kill off and a gradual reduction in the amount of brood being reared.  The brood chambers will shrink in size and be filled in with honey.

[randydrivesabus]

some people use artificial light to fool chickens into thinking that the day length hasnt shortened thereby getting them to continue laying. i dont reckon this would work with bees......

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesrequeeninghot.htm

[Brian D. Bray]

>>some people use artificial light to fool chickens into thinking that the day length hasnt shortened thereby getting them to continue laying. i dont reckon this would work with bees......

No once their outside the hive the lights go out.  I wonder if a miniturized miners helmet would work?  Or would they then be called Fireflys?

[ConfedMarine]

Your scenario sounds like the one I had while trying to place a wet super back on a hive. This hive normally has a very good disposition. The other two hives were their normal selves while placing wet supers. I am going to wait another week or so and attempt an inspection.

[randydrivesabus]

i hope its only coincidence that we both live in VA. my 'encounter' was one week ago today and i am also going to wait another week before attempting another. hopefully by then it will be cooler...the weather and the hive.

[Ruben]

Everything I have read says to requeen in your situation. Is your queen marked?

[Brian D. Bray]

Requeening does not cure proddiness due to weather conditions.  Hot muggy weather makes bees proddy.  Increased ion in the atmosphere prior to a thunder or electrical storm does the same thing.

[randydrivesabus]

ruben-yes my queen as originally installed is marked. the next time i tear apart that hive i will try to find her.