unusually calm feral hive

darockered · July 18, 2011, 11:20:47 AM

I took an established feral colony out of a fallen tree about 1.5 weeks ago. I was able to get about 1/2 of the bees in the hive (it wasn't on my property and the property owner wanted them gone ASAP). I collected as much brood comb as possible and tied it to deep frames. When I got them home I found a significant SHB infestation and worked hard to get the bees off of the old comb and onto fresh foundation (I was afraid drawn comb would allow the SHB to continue thriving). No varroa. No signs of foulbrood.

Last week I re-queened the colony and they seem to have accepted her gratefully. Here's the rub. This colony is extremely docile. They protect the the hive from robbers (they are slowly receiving a syrup) and they seem hygienic enough as they are removing dead brood that did not make the transition. I, however, can lift frames and examine their progress without any harassment whatsoever.

As much stress as these bees have been through, I assumed they would be aggressive, or at least as protective as a domesticated colony. Two additional notes, smoke irritates the bejeebees out of them, they love lemongrass/spearmint syrup sprayed on them.

Are they sick?

Kathyp · July 18, 2011, 12:09:33 PM

probably not. lots of hives are very docile...at least part of the time. i have done some removals where even i could have been unprotected, and others that were very aggressive. just depends on the bees.

do not expect them to stay that way. while they may always be nice, you have requeened, so they may change personality as the bees are replaced. they may also be aggressive at different times of the year.

there are a lot of stories on here of nice hives suddenly becoming aggressive and stinging the heck out of the (new) beekeeper.

just out of curiosity, what happened to the bees that were left behind?

VolunteerK9 · July 18, 2011, 12:15:28 PM

Quote from: darockered on July 18, 2011, 11:20:47 AM
Are they sick?

I doubt it. My guess is that they are just a group of demoralized bees attempting to get their new quarters in order. Give them time to get established and see how their disposition changes.

darockered · July 18, 2011, 12:37:41 PM

The bees left behind were fussing about the tree. I would have preferred to use a bait hive but the property owner did not want to wait another week. I removed all of the comb (that I could see and reach) from the hole but did not have power for a vacuum to get the bees that were milling about.

I agree the bees may be too busy housekeeping to notice me. They are all over the new foundation drawing comb out as quick as they can.

Kathyp · July 18, 2011, 12:55:54 PM

does the property owner understand that if the queen is still there, or if you left eggs behind, they will rebuild, or do they plan on killing the hive? just curious as to what the home owner is thinking. i get a lot of bee tree calls, but turn them down. don't want to spend the time doing trap outs way across town, and usually the home owner want to "save the tree". :-D

kingfisherfd2 · July 18, 2011, 02:38:30 PM

My hive is a feral hive and it is very calm. They were very calm when we did the cut out. I mark it up to lucking out.

FRAMEshift · July 18, 2011, 02:50:03 PM

If you can get eggs from a feral hive, I would let them raise a queen from the eggs. Those bees are survivors and therefore have some valuable genes. And they are well adapted to your local conditions.

skatesailor · July 18, 2011, 03:39:09 PM

Ditto what Kathy said about different personalities and expecting them to stay that way. 3 of my last 4 cutouts were docile and one is pretty hot now. I have experienced them turning on a dime depending on circumstances you may not be aware of.
I also have a hive that does not like smoke. You learn to understand the personalities of the hive and how to deal with them as time goes by. Its like dealing with any other livestock. Learn how to deal with them but never trust them.

RangerBrad · July 18, 2011, 09:33:34 PM

Collected a cut out hive from an old tree this year and they are as or more docile than my deomesticated. Diffrent bees react diffrently and timing seems to have everything to do with it on my bees, Brad

darockered · July 18, 2011, 10:11:05 PM

Yes, I suit up every time I work with them. I've paid the price of "trusting" my bees in the past.

Any thoughts on hive beetles? Now that the bees are settling in somewhat they seem to corral the beetles into corners, is there anything I can do to help them?

kedgel · July 19, 2011, 12:23:26 AM

Any thoughts on hive beetles? Now that the bees are settling in somewhat they seem to corral the beetles into corners, is there anything I can do to help them?
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SHB are BAD here in SW FL. I have done many cut outs, all had lots of shb in them. Count yourself lucky they didn't abscond after you removed their drawn comb, feral hives don't need much of an excuse to buzz off on you. However, you likely put a serious dent in the shb by shifting them to fresh foundation. I have lost cut out hives to shb several times. I think that they can keep them in check until disturbed. After getting stirred up in the move, they seem to shift attention to more pressing matters and the shb get the upper hand. Initially, you need to keep them crowded--unattended frames are the kiss of death. If the frame isn't covered with bees, it Will be covered with shb's. If you don't have them already, install screened bottom boards with oil pans underneath them. I've tried ALL the methods bantied about and found most are ineffective in my area. My problems with shb ended when I replaced all my standard bottom boards with screened boards and moved my hives out into the sun (shb's hate going out in the sun). It is very satisfying to pull out the pan and see dozens of the little *&^&*^'s drowned in the oil! :evil: They also kick varroa mites butts, too. I use cheap vegetable oil, but I've heard it is attractive to raccoons. I've never tried mineral oil since my dogs keep the 'coons at bay. Don't waste your time or money on AJ's beetle traps. They are a total pain in the Obama ;). they tip over easily and can't put a dent in a serious infestation.

FRAMEshift · July 19, 2011, 11:24:03 AM

Quote from: kedgel on July 19, 2011, 12:23:26 AM
They are a total pain in the Obama .

Well, that's just hilarious. :roll: Showing disrespect to the President makes you a wise man.

You are entitled to your own political opinions. Please express them in the Coffee House.

kedgel · July 20, 2011, 12:25:37 AM

Quote from: FRAMEshift on July 19, 2011, 11:24:03 AM
Quote from: kedgel on July 19, 2011, 12:23:26 AM
They are a total pain in the Obama .

Well, that's just hilarious. :roll: Showing disrespect to the President makes you a wise man.

You are entitled to your own political opinions. Please express them in the Coffee House.

GEEZ! Lighten up! Another liberal tragically born without a sense of humor...