Bees defensive cutting grass or tilling garden, what can I do?

Beewildered61 · August 07, 2015, 04:30:39 PM

I have had bees for four years now and never had a problem until this year. In the spring, I had two or three bees start to head butt me after I had tilled about half the garden, so I stopped and finished the next day. They also head butted me and one chased me when I finished it the next day. One hive was at the front corner of the garden, about 30 feet to the side and 20 feet from the front of it, it's gone. Another hive was at the end of the garden, only about 4 feet from the corner post of the garden fence, this hive was gone in spring and I started another in June, in the same place. My other hive is way down by the woods, about 50-70 feet to the side of the garden.

I was just out cutting some grass around the inside edge of the garden, and had about finished one side, 70 feet long, when a bee whizzed around me. I finished and stopped the mower and started on the other side, only about 6 feet from the hive and had went about 20 feet from the hive when a bee dove straight for the target between my eyes, luckily I had on a hat and bandanna and she hit that and got caught in my hat. I still have to finish that grass and then plow a row for some potatoes I just bought. My only option that I know of, is to suit up, but it's hot as heck, and it probably won't stop an attack.

Is there anything I can do? There is really no place on my property that is any farther away from the garden, and I don't want to get any closer to the house.

divemaster1963 · August 07, 2015, 08:13:15 PM

Go to Walmart and go to the hunting section .in that section look for the camping gear. On the peg hooks there is a small box with a nat and bug suit made of netting. You get the pants and jacket together for like $15.00.
That's what I use when working my hives in shorts and tee. Have not been stung yet except for on the wrist where my glove exposed my skin. Works great for these hot hot days. Only slightly hotter than not wearing it. I also use it to cut grass when the bees are in bad mood during durth.

Try it out you only have 15.00 to lose and you can always take it back if you don't like it.

John

OldMech · August 07, 2015, 09:43:29 PM

When I can no longer mow past the front of my hives, I X the mean queen, irregardless of her wintering or production. Everyone has different opinions, but I keep bees because I enjoy it. if they get mean, they get replaced or they get ignited where they sit.. Granted I have 50 ish hives, so the loss of a mean one is not an issue... I just will NOT put up with an aggressive hive... Now, having said that... If I get someone fussing with hives, or on my property, a mean hive is nice to place in the vicinity...
If you get a dozen or so bees bouncing you, you can throw a handful of flour or powdered sugar at them.. then you can go in the house, out another door, and go to the hives and see which one has the white fluffy bees...

little john · August 08, 2015, 03:50:52 AM

As you don't cut the grass every day - the simplest solution is to seal the hive entrances at some time during the previous night, then trim around the hives first thing in the morning. After cutting, wait a good 15 minutes before releasing the girls, then simply walk away. Of course, your hives will need to have adequate ventilation in order for you to seal-up their entrances - but they really should have that anyway.

When putting the hives in lock-down, should there be a group of bees clustering around the entrances, then a light misting or a puff of smoke is all it will take to drive them in. If you need to see what you're doing, then a torch with a red filter (bicycle rear light ?) is useful. If using white light, then keep it minimal, and always shine the torch downwards onto the ground - NOT at the hive entrance. If you do, you'll soon find out why this is not a good idea.

LJ

yantabulla · August 08, 2015, 05:34:57 AM

Smoke!

HillBilly2 · August 08, 2015, 06:43:44 AM

I don't put up with too much aggressive behavior, but I look at it as a call for help. Suit up, get in there, and look for what might be wrong. Mine got really pissy a few weeks ago, huge bee population, but they had eaten all the honey in the hive. I knew we were in a dearth, and should have been feeding sooner. Little buggars are now eating an astonishing amount of sugar syrup. Any kind of stressor can make them aggressive, mites, foul brood. If you live where they may have Africanized then a requeen would be in order.

rwlaw · August 08, 2015, 08:49:07 AM

Don't forget about vermin. I've had to button a yard because of skunks, I usually don't have to worry about them for about a month or so. Wasp and hornets will make em nervous too.

kingd · August 08, 2015, 09:56:03 AM

This time of year I mow or till early in the morning or later at night,so far no problem.
I have suited up a couple of times just to mow right next to the hives because of one my russian hives have been cranky
in the past.

GSF · August 08, 2015, 02:52:52 PM

Beewildered; You aren't in their flight path are you?

So far this year I've X'd 2 queens. It's a shame too. These girls had it going on! some of the best brood pattern, stores, ect. One of them got about 60-70 times - through the suit. I got at least one more to scratch off - if I can find her. These bees didn't match up to the other mean bees. Very slow to draw out, not much in the line of stores (1 med honey super + brood nest) Just mean, that's all.

In a few years after I retire, and if I run across a hive like that again, I may just put them somewhere else and use them for brood builders or something. Then I'm sure after a while the drones from them will mate with my more docile queens, never mind I'll just X them.

OldMech · August 08, 2015, 05:39:24 PM

Then I'm sure after a while the drones from them will mate with my more docile queens, never mind I'll just X them.

hehe, that was going to be my reply but you got there already..

Beewildered61 · August 09, 2015, 11:51:15 AM

Hey thanks ya'll! I like the seal them up idea...in fact I just bought robber/moving screens, they have tabs so you can completely close the opening, now just to get them on. I'm not in the flight path or cutting around the hives, I am cutting and tilling the garden. The closest I am to the hive is about 4 feet, but it is at the back and to the left side of the hive...they came at me, on the other side of the garden, 50+ feet away to their rear and then again on the other side of the garden, about 20 feet to their rear.

I am pretty sure no varmints are around, but I do know they have mites, which I plan to treat with Apivar soon. Going to check them today and see where their honey stores are at...

buzzbee · August 09, 2015, 03:42:43 PM

Is there any chance something is bothering them at night. When I had skunks around, the smell of fresh tilled dirt seemed to get their attention. Look for spots dug in the yard or scratching on the hive entrance.

Beewildered61 · August 09, 2015, 10:12:06 PM

Haven't seen anything to think there are skunks... but I did walk out there this evening and saw a hornet buzzing in front of the hive, then it went on close to the ground away from the hive. I followed it and was going to try and stomp it, but it all of a sudden took off and disappeared.