My bees had a bad day? I hope that is all

harvey · August 02, 2009, 10:25:10 PM

Today I went down and popped the cover of my only hive. These have been very very gentle bee's. Nothing had happened in the medium super that I put on two weeks ago. I have seen the bee's bringing in all types of pollen so I thought I would pull the super and check the top deep brood box. When I pulled the super all was OK for about ten seconds. Then the bees started piling out the top of the second deep and pinging off of me. Not sure if it was tail first or not! I didn't pull any frames off of the deep. I did look and all of the frames were full of bees and all even numbers 1 and 10 were drawn out. It was warm, about 5pm, but it was kinda windy. Could it be just the wind that made them aggressive today or maybe I crashed some kind of party??

buzzbee · August 02, 2009, 10:38:51 PM

If there is a dearth or that have been being harrassed by other critters,they will not take kindly to opening the box. Did you smoke them at all before opening the top?

JP · August 02, 2009, 11:48:55 PM

Quote from: buzzbee on August 02, 2009, 10:38:51 PM
If there is a dearth or that have been being harrassed by other critters,they will not take kindly to opening the box. Did you smoke them at all before opening the top?

...JP

harvey · August 03, 2009, 05:22:08 PM

No I have not ever smoked them before and three weeks ago I was pulling frames out of each deep to inspect and didn't get the reaction I did this time just opening up the top brood box? Thank God for a new veil!

iddee · August 03, 2009, 05:43:18 PM

Many newbees try it for awhile without smoke. They all soon learn, tho.

harvey · August 03, 2009, 11:27:26 PM

So Iddee, You think I should always smoke? or just if they act up? I was pretty suprised at this reaction from them. I have a smoker and some old burlap bags but haven't had to use it up till this point. I was just hoping something wasn't wrong in the hive that would have made them more aggressive.

Cheryl · August 03, 2009, 11:43:01 PM

You say they were ok for a few seconds, and then they started spilling out. I'm willing to bet that within those few seconds, you had leaned a little closer and maybe exhaled a breath in their direction. Carbon Dioxide gets them really riled. They use breath to target the nose on a furry predator.

And yes, SMOKE. I'm one of those n00bs who tried to go without smoke at first and learned! Smoke really does help!

JP · August 04, 2009, 12:11:09 AM

Quote from: harvey on August 03, 2009, 11:27:26 PM
So Iddee, You think I should always smoke? or just if they act up? I was pretty suprised at this reaction from them. I have a smoker and some old burlap bags but haven't had to use it up till this point. I was just hoping something wasn't wrong in the hive that would have made them more aggressive.

Harvey, they act up because you haven't smoked them. Smoking them after the fact is a moot point.

Smoking masks alarm pheromone, which the bees emit into the air space when they go on the defense. Once this "banana odor" gets into the air, you are asking for trouble.

Smoke them, and stay out of trouble. A little smoke int the entrance and under the cover goes a long way in most cases in keeping you from being stung.

The intelligent approach is to smoke them before going in and always have your smoker at bay in case you need more smoke further on in your inspection.

Enjoy your bees fella.

...JP

harvey · August 04, 2009, 11:13:23 PM

I am enjoying the bee's was really suprised at this reaction though, and yes, I did lean right over to look between the frames of the super to try and see all the way down into the deep! I was only a couple inches above the hive, but they have always been so gentle? This time they showed me that they can have an attitude. And they will win! Now about smoking? How much? I don't want to sufficate them or burn them.

JP · August 04, 2009, 11:55:02 PM

In time you will learn how much is enough or too much. Start with a few puffs or so, (good ones) in the entrance and between the top cover and hive body as you are removing the top cover.

The bees will initially let off a sounding "buzz" right after being smoked, but quickly settle down.

It is a healthy sign for a growing colony to defend against intruders, so be proud in the fact that your hive is growing and getting stronger.

The smoker is a wonderful tool Harvey. I don't enter the bee yard without mine.

...JP