Hostile Hive!

[LFortune45]

About 3 weeks ago we had a really bad rain storm, saturating the ground.  My large hive toppled when the ground shifted under the weight of honey and supers.  Needless to say, the bees were VERY angry and aggressive. My wife and I both received several stings. I don't mind the occasional sting or two but this was na attack!! A friend with a bee-suit righted the hive and everything was back to normal. (note to self: buy bee-suit)

Today, I attempted to open the hive and check for full supers in preparation for pulling honey and adding new supers.  I cracked the hive top and smoked as usual.  Once again I was attacked and stung several times.  It seems the bees are not over their anger and protectiveness.  

Has anyone had this happen and will this previously gentle and easy to work hive return to their easy going selves?  

Also the hive is FULL of bees.  They hang out around the entrance and ventilation holes but are obviously working.  Should I consider splitting this hive?  If so, split now or in the spring?  I might add that this hive is 3 years old and is a very strong and healthy hive.  

Thanks in advance for your help.
L

[Brian D. Bray]

The bee will gradually return to their normal temperment which will probably be next spring at the earliest.  The optimum solution would probably be to split and requeen.

[Understudy]

A toppled hive will make for nasty bees.
http://www.beekeepersvoice.com/articles/horne/

It took about 24 hours for my bees to calm down but I was able to determine I still have a queen. If you have lost the queen your hive will stay angry.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[fcderosa]

Get the bee suite and gloves, if not for you, at least your wife.  A minor investment for not getting stung, especially when weird stuff happens.  You know, like dropping the hive tool inside the box, accidentally hitting the hive with a shovel, storm clean up, or even tripping into the hive. Bees can also be temperamental and you can never be absolutely sure of their mood until it's too late.  I keep mine in the truck in my bee box along with my veil and gloves.  First kamikaze into the hood - the suite and gloves go on.

As far as the hive â€" they’ll calm down eventually, if not you always have the option to re-queen

[Kathyp]

i did a not so smart thing yesterday as well.  i took off the two honey supers to see what was going on in there...subject of earlier post....i placed the top super on an extra bottom board, then put the full, heavy super on top of that.  when i went to pick up the heavy super and put it back on the hive, the empty super under it stuck.  i didn't realize it.  it came off with a crash as i had hefted the full honey super about chest high.  fortunately, the light super didn't' have many bees in it and they didn't get to upset.  

after reading several threads here about getting stung, and after being stupid, i have decided that i at least should stop opening my hive in shorts and tshirts.   :D