Unprovoked attack

Rodni73 · June 13, 2008, 12:28:41 AM

I installed my hive on may 17th 2008. They have drawn out 7 out of 10 frames. They consumed 3 1/2 gallons of sugar water. Beautiful brood pattern... Tons of young bees. I check on them by opening the hive once every 14 days. First two checks no problems I had a vail on that's all. However, following a violent and devastating high wind and rain that swept through Northern New Jersey and downed trees all over our area. My bees are very very very cranky... I mean today I approached the hive and right away a guard bee flew and head butted me straight on then continued to fly around my head close and personal. I moved away.... I got my chair and set to observe the hive about 5 feets away and about 5 guard bees started acting nasty... My neighbor showed up to sit so we can drink a beer, smoke a cigar and observe the bees going and coming but for no apparent reasons two of them flew straight at us and "pow pow" got my neighbor in the hand.. Another one came right at me but I moved in time.. We stood there laughing and moved back! Last inspection they had a fit..I mean thousands of them lined up on the frames staring at me and buzzing. My neighbor was a bee keeper in his youth so he was ok. So why all of the sudden they are so so defensive? I think most of the guard bees are old bees that two weeks ago used to land on my palm and allowed me to pet them.. Now they act like real nasty critters who attack anything that comes to the hive :(. I am wondering what the pros think of this? is it the storm? or success that is making these bees so agitated? Any ideas?

abejaruco · June 13, 2008, 01:01:37 AM

In Spain a sentence says: "if cat are washing the moustache, and bees attacking...it´s going to rain"
Of course, here in southern Spain only rain 10 or 12 times every year, and cats are always washing the moustache and bees attacking when hives are strong, so, your bees attack because are strong and genetically unnice. ;)

JP · June 13, 2008, 01:08:34 AM

Could be the weather, but keep an eye on their behavior.

Sometimes when colonies grow in size they get an attitude, I just give them their space and make sure the smoker is ready when I work them.

These hives are generally wonderful producers, now if they are just downright wicked mean then requeen.

Big, strong hives are great honey producers!

...JP

Brian D. Bray · June 13, 2008, 02:50:45 AM

You'll find that after a severe storm the bees will stay proddy for about a week, especially if the hive got hit by debris. The other observation I have is: If you are setting in front of a bee hive drinking beer, expect to get nailed. Don't drink beer or caffienated beverages or wear colognes or perfume near the bees--that's asking for it.

Big John · June 13, 2008, 09:06:13 AM

I have been setting beside my bee hive drinking beer and or coffee for 2 years now using the top of the hive for a table have not been stung yet (been lucky I guess). Maybe this is why I lost my hive last year, but my bees are doing grate this year I hived a new 3lb colony this year from Walter Kelley co. 6 may 08 they have 2 deep hive body's filled up and starting on 1st super.

Big John · June 13, 2008, 09:09:59 AM

Sorry I had to do this again I am not a very good typer it is suppost to be 6Apr08 instead of May.

JP · June 13, 2008, 09:14:55 AM

Quote from: Big John on June 13, 2008, 09:09:59 AM
Sorry I had to do this again I am not a very good typer it is suppost to be 6Apr08 instead of May.

Hey Big John, a little tip for ya, you can go back into your post and click on MODIFY at the top right and add or delete from any post you make. After you do so just click SAVE at the bottom and your post is instantly modified.

...JP

Scadsobees · June 13, 2008, 09:23:32 AM

Yeah, keep an eye on them. Weather plays a big part in their behaviour. So do smells.

When you get a package, you get a whole passel of bees from a random hive, and then a newly mated queen.

The package bees should be almost gone, and most of the bees are now daughters of the queen, and this can cause a shift in behaviour over time.

If they keep it up through good and bad weather, I'd consider requeening them. I've got a hive like that that I'm working on right now.

Rick

Ross · June 13, 2008, 10:19:35 AM

First of all, that's not an attack. It's just mild defensive behavior. If 5 bees flying around concern you, you are in for a short beekeeping career. The bees can get cranky for a number of reasons. Weather is certainly a cause, along with skunks, dearth, kids with rocks, and a bunch of other things. Unless a thousand bees hit your veil when you pop the top, you are in the realm of normal behavior for any given day. Light smoke will usually calm the enough to work even after a storm.

Remember, everything within 10-15 feet of the hive belongs to the bees. As the hive gets stronger they will patrol that area more.

Scadsobees · June 13, 2008, 02:20:12 PM

But if they keep it up and you aren't comfortable with that, then there are more gentle less-aggressive bees out there. I like to sit with my face 3 feet from the entrance and occasionally pluck drones, and if they are offended by that, then they got to go. Did I mention that my bees are blind? :roll: :-D

I'm not comfortable with hives that consistently head butt or sting and have requeened several of them because if it. That is when they consistently go after me (or anyone) within 10 feet of the hive.

In an isolated bee yard its fine. In my backyard its not.

Hayesbo · June 13, 2008, 04:49:14 PM

Quote from: Scadsobees on June 13, 2008, 02:20:12 PM
But if they keep it up and you aren't comfortable with that, then there are more gentle less-aggressive bees out there. I like to sit with my face 3 feet from the entrance and occasionally pluck drones, and if they are offended by that, then they got to go. Did I mention that my bees are blind? :roll: :-D

I'm not comfortable with hives that consistently head butt or sting and have requeened several of them because if it. That is when they consistently go after me (or anyone) within 10 feet of the hive.

In an isolated bee yard its fine. In my backyard its not.

I agree with Scadsobees... Gentle bees are more fun IMO. The volume of honey is secondary to me, so mean bees are not worth tolorating for me. Fatbeeman has the most gentle bees I have ever heard of. Not that I have years and years of exp. to draw from. My bees last year were nasty, mean and held a grudge. My bees this year after requeening from Don are much better.

Another consideration for their attitude is the nectar flow. Mine were meaner during the dearth.

Steve

Moonshae · June 13, 2008, 05:10:39 PM

Any chance you were standing in their flight path? Foragers really hate it when you get in their way and they crash into you. They know you aren't supposed to be there, so POW!

Ross · June 13, 2008, 09:13:32 PM

What he described is in no way a mean hive.

CBEE · June 14, 2008, 09:24:38 AM

Who knows, could be the beer or some other smell or the color of something you had on they did not like. I have a black john deere hat and if I get real close to the hive with it on they will head but like crazy. If I take it off and hang it on the fence they stop. It's amazing how hard those little buggers can wack ya :-D

sc-bee · June 14, 2008, 09:50:20 AM

>Don't drink beer or caffienated beverages or wear colognes or perfume near the bees--that's asking for it.

Wow Brian what I got to give up next :-D :evil:. I already stink :(. Guess I'll wash all my food down w/ water!!!

All jokes aside thanks for the info and as you know different smell affect bees sometimes even body chemicals. So far I am one of the unlucky ones but haven't narrowed it down yet. If I am in the bee yard the stray bee will find me :shock: . My mentor gets a huge kick out of it ;)!

Brian D. Bray · June 14, 2008, 09:44:43 PM

Quote from: sc-bee on June 14, 2008, 09:50:20 AM
>Don't drink beer or caffienated beverages or wear colognes or perfume near the bees--that's asking for it.

Wow Brian what I got to give up next :-D :evil:. I already stink :(. Guess I'll wash all my food down w/ water!!!

All jokes aside thanks for the info and as you know different smell affect bees sometimes even body chemicals. So far I am one of the unlucky ones but haven't narrowed it down yet. If I am in the bee yard the stray bee will find me :shock: . My mentor gets a huge kick out of it ;)!

You only have to give it up the day you go into the bees. If you know you're going to be working the bees on a specific day don't drink alcoholic and caffienated beverages, don't use shampoo or rinse, and shower. Oh, and don't feed the billy goat before hand either.

johnnybigfish · June 14, 2008, 11:38:46 PM

Smoke a better cigar and drink Corona or mead..You'll have to make your own mead though more than likely. The bees like corona! I think its the lime I put in it!
I might not be a bee expert but I have years of knowing how to drink and smoke. Keep in mind, this is only my second year so i'm still developing a healthy relationship with my bees.
I've got my wife really thinking now about how i am going out and "Talking with the Bees"....I tell her that the bees said its gonna rain tonite......And we REALLY DO have a big storm fixing to happen in just a little while!
All kidding aside, I dont drink much lately..But when i do, Its usually with my bees!
Also, I have a bad habit of fooling with them when its looking sort of rainy or stormy. As you've heard before, bee dont like to be bothered when the weather is like that!

By the way, did you see the killer bee show that was on recently? It was a place called Bisbee I think(Arizona) If you see that It will definitely show you what aggressive bees act like! I think it was in the discovery channel or something like that.
Ok,...A few more minutes in the forums, then i better go batten down the hatches!

your friend,
johnm

Rodni73 · June 15, 2008, 05:04:05 PM

Thank you so much for the feed back! I checked the bees today and no problems... I even banged on the hive and bothered the guards with my fingers and they acted as if they knew me! I think it must have been the storm or the high temp. Today I observed my bees drinking from the water bath...Then walked around the street and saw my bees all over the "flower" lady's huge flower beds in front, around and the back up the streets... I said hello and she was wondering where all the healthy looking bees are comming from? She said they have been all over her flowers for days on end! I told her it could be some bee nut down the street ;)...! She laughed and demanded a jar and I said I'd tell the nut down the street to give her two if she can say some nice things about me to her lovely sister in law! :mrgreen:

johnnybigfish · June 15, 2008, 05:47:35 PM

Now THATS some FAST THINKIN' Rodni! (sister in law thing) ;)
I like the way you test your bees too!
I prefer to poke a stick in my bottom entrance to get their attention!
When I do that they become my "Physical trainers"..I've become really adep at running around in figure eights! They have me doing jumping jacks and swimming in place rather well too!

your friend,
john