Nasty Bees

Kathyp · December 03, 2006, 06:27:33 PM

the weather warmed a bit and the bees were flying. thought i'd pop the top and see how the food was holding up. i got the inner cover up about an inch and they came at me. had to go back and put on the veil and gloves. tried again and it was like something out of a sci-fi movie....even the poor cat got stung. never did get a look at the frames. hope they have enough to eat because at the moment, they are on their own.

a weather thing, or something else? even when i took the honey they didn't act like that!

Understudy · December 03, 2006, 07:26:20 PM

A hot hive.
Can be caused by a couple of things:
No Queen
Recent rain
Recent attack by other bees
50,000 bees all going through pms at the same time and you didn't bring chocolate.

Give the bees 24 hours and look again if you have the same problem look at Michael Bush's site about dealing with hot hives. it is an excellent solution.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

BeeHopper · December 03, 2006, 07:30:33 PM

Quote from: Understudy on December 03, 2006, 07:26:20 PM
A hot hive.
Can be caused by a couple of things:
No Queen
Recent rain
Recent attack by other bees
50,000 bees all going through pms at the same time and you didn't bring chocolate.

Give the bees 24 hours and look again if you have the same problem look at Michael Bush's site about dealing with hot hives. it is an excellent solution.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

LOL :-D

Cindi · December 03, 2006, 08:06:07 PM

Kathy, I bet they were just really scared!!! They probably thought that you were that cold, ugly windy old thing that made them stay in their home to try and keep warm. They don't realize that was only Mother Nature making their world reclusive. I still think that they were startled to have the cold air rush in and it annoyed them to no degree (LOL). Great day, Kathy. Cindi

Jerrymac · December 03, 2006, 08:12:57 PM

They spent all that time sealing cracks up for the winter and you come along and rip it all up. :'( You should be ashamed of yourself.

Probably thought you were going to rob more stores from them at the wrong time of the year. They do get testy when there isn't a flow.

Kathyp · December 04, 2006, 11:11:36 AM

well, next time i'll knock and explain my intentions before i go in! i'm sure they'll understand :-).

i'll also hedge my bets with a can of Raid handy :evil:

Scadsobees · December 04, 2006, 02:38:17 PM

Mine are out looking for any source any where this time of year if it is a warmer day. I imagine that they got all the police out in full riot-gear to make sure they don't get robbed.

Kirk-o · January 01, 2007, 11:06:06 AM

Bees like to work they get grumpy when there is no necter
kirko

Cindi · January 01, 2007, 11:10:49 AM

Kirk, exactly, that's why they say to wait for the sunshine, I see them when I go in a hive on a bad day, and man they are pretty cranky indeed. Great day. Cindi