Hot Hive?

[Amanda]

One of my hives has been stinging me and I'm not sure if it's normal behavior or if the hive is hot.  Here's the story.

In the past, I never smoked the hives to feed them (I use a small chicken waterer that I set on the inner cover with an empty super on top then the telescoping cover).  I always just took the cover off, set the new feeder in, put the cover back on and everything was fine.  The last time I did this, the bees started stinging me as soon as the cover was off.  One got me on the upper arm and one on the back of my leg.  I guess I was lucky since I wasn't wearing a veil or anything.  There were bees all over me trying to sting me so I ran across the yard, and they were still following me.  I ran to the front yard and drenched my self with a hose.  Even then it was about five minutes before the bees stopped buzzing around my head.  And then I had to go back and put the cover back on.  When I got inside, there were dead, wet bees stuck in my hair and stingers in my pants and shirt.  I decided they must be getting more defensive, which is natural, right?

That was a week ago.  When I inspected them yesterday, I had my dad come with me.  We inspected the other hive (hive 2) first, and everything was fine.  When we inspected hive 1, the one that stung me, we smoked it and waited a couple minutes.  They didn't even react to the smoke the same way as hive 2.  Some of them climbed inside, but most of them seemed to just get agitated.  We opened it up fine, but as soon as me lifted the first frame out, a bee jumped off and stung my dad on the nose and one stung me above the eye.  No warning or anything.  So my question is -- is this a hot hive?

Some other observations that might have something to do with it:

There were dozens of yellow jackets flying along the ground.  They seemed to be attacking and eating bees, but at the time they were only bothering hive 2, and hive 2 acted normal.

Hive one is not drawing out as fast as hive 2.  In fact, it really hasn't grown since last week.  It does have a queen, or did recently, because I saw some young larva right before I got stung.

Please help me.  My eye is completely swollen shut, and my family bursts out laughing as soon as I walk into the room.  It's not a lot of fun.

~Amanda

[beesbeesbees]

Wear a veil.  You are going to get stung as a beekeeper.  Do what you can to protect your face.  And laugh with them.  That's good times.

What time of day were you inspecting?  I checked a hive just before sunset and they came out in force.  I got stung at least 15 times.  Several days later I checked them at noon and everything was cool.

There are a million reasons why a mild-mannered hive can start getting defensive.  It may be the queen, it may be a lack of a queen, maybe they are getting robbed...you'll need to figure it out.  You might put your feeder outside of the hive since it's warm out now.  That should help cut down on robbing.

[tlynn]

I think Micheal Bush gives his definitions of different categories of hive aggressiveness, but I can't seem to locate it.  If that was on his site anybody know where it is?

[Bill W.]

About 70% of my hives - almost all the feral bees - are that level of hotness.  I only consider it a problem if they go after people who are near the hives; I had two that did that, so I killed their queens.  If they only get defensive when the hive it opened, I'm OK with that.  I always work with a suit and veil, but no gloves - they would really like to sting my face, but they aren't very interested in my hands.

However, I also have four hives that I hardly have to smoke and that basically ignore me when I am in the hive.  Those four hives are pure Italians or one or two generations off the original Italian queens.

Hive density also makes a big difference.  Those feral bees were all quite gentle when their hives were small.  Now that they are booming, they don't take any insult without response.  ;)

[Amanda]

Thanks everyone.  Beesbeesbees, it was about 5:30 when I checked them this last time, but it was the middle of the day, maybe 11 or 12, the first time.  I know I should wear a veil, but I feel like I can't see well with it on.  I'll definitely wear it from now on.  Bill, these should be pure Italians, but maybe they act like your ferals and get meaner when they get bigger.  They haven't attacked anyone when we walk by them, so I'm grateful for that.  Tlynn, thank you.  I'll look and see if I can find that.
~Amanda

[sc-bee]

You're right wear a veil! Lots of folks things it's a testament to their bees not wearing one. It only takes one time --- in the eye. And of course they zone in on the face CO2.

Some hives are just more defensive than others. Some change temperament from day to day. In the hot dry South bees tend to be more defensive this time of year (dry,hot, dearth).

Watch them and give them a chance. See how aggressive they are during a flow. If too hot for you requeen. I had one I put off for a while because it was my best producer (some folks think aggressive bees are better producers), but she finally had to go. Made all the difference in the world.

[MustbeeNuts]

My 2 cents, always were your protective clothing, bare hands is one thing, no veil completely another, always protect your  face, even a nice calm bee hive can react badly. I never go out with out protection, mostly im just a coward, but better safe than sorry. thats my idea and reccomendation.  :shock:

[Scadsobees]

Did you start these hives out from packages?

1. Small hives are usually not as defensive as big hives.  As the hive matures, they will get a bit more defensive.

2. A package of bees is made up of a bunch of bees from one hive, and then an unrelated queen.  About 3 weeks from installing the package, the bees' genetics are starting to be different, so a hive personality change can occur.

3. Stress causes agression.  If yellowjackets are targeting this hive, that can cause them to be upset.  If there isn't a honeyflow, then they get antsy.

4. If you squished a bee, that could set the rest of them off.

You have to establish your comfort level with the hives.  Being in my backyard I don't put up with much aggressiveness.  I do wear veil and gloves etc, but if there are too many hitting me, then the queen has to go.  If they start consistently looking for me in the yard, then somebody is going to die (the old queen, that is!).

Rick

[Shawn]

There has been a few post about hot hives. If you're uncomfortable with your bees requeen. Its funny when I check my hive, wearing every protective clothing I have, I find I always have one bee that has stung my glove on the back side of my hand. 

[sean]

Our extension officers recommend checking your hives in the morning to early afternoon(up to 1:00 there abouts) there are usually less bees there than in the evening. Secondly always always wear your veil. A calm as your bees may bee they are unpredictable and it only takes one sting to attract the others