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I was a newbee last season, so I guess I still am. WBCs are no problem. I have 4 but as advised above use 14x12 brood chambers and OMF (open mesh floors). My regional bee inpector always comments that apart from the additional lifts you have to remove they are actually really rather good. They...

Yes they can, especially if you're getting sweaty in hot weather. They seem attracted to perspiration and your clothes stick to you which makes it easier to sting through. I wear nitrile gloves but if there's a sweaty piece of wrist exposed and they're in a bad mood they go straight for it...

All of the above PLUS they don't like thundery/windy/wet weather. Their temperament can change from day to day. And my lot are particulary stroppy if I cut the grass anywhere near them i.e. within 10 feet of the hive. Z

Thank you to everyone for your sound advice. Nope, I didn't re-queen with the devil's daughter - I tried re-queening with one of gentle stock from my local beekeepers club. She's either been destroyed or they've turned her to the darkside. I'll try the divide and conquer technique first. Good...

I was about to respond to the "Nasty Bees" post because I have a a similar question. But as I was writing it I realised I would hi-jack my fellow beeks question. So my apologies to NoPants. Perhaps we can both learn. I have two hives. One is totally lovable, but the other is the spawn of the...

I'm running 12x14s in WBC hives and I find them ideal. Best of both worlds, with plenty of room and masses of brood. With WBC there's enough of an overhead removing lifts and what-not without going to the bother double brood or brood and a half. Life's too short. Z

Lucky you. I shook swarmed my two colonies into new 14x12s three weeks ago and they've not forgiven me. They're possessed. Z

Moved 2 hives last year, one of which became homicidal long distance followers for a few weeks. I thought it was a combination of the move plus feeding. An old beekeeper I know blamed both the move and the syrup, which he said makes them more territorial. Thankfully they've quietened down...

As in the Merchant of Venice I would invite them to take precisely what is theirs and no more, and without in any way damaging my property, including the hive, the frames and comb, or indeed harming the bees. And they are not entitled to a percentage of my labour. Z

Thanks for all the advice, folks. It was so warm today that I did risk a peek under the crown board, and even a quick check under the bottom of the frames. All clear. Forget what I said - the colony appears to be thriving - they were thick over every frame. I didn't keep it open long enough to...

Thanks S No QEs on, but one of my theories is that the lower brood area is partially blocked by brace comb, but I'm reluctant to explore too much in this weather. It's a nice balmy 14 degrees today. Is it too soon to lever up the brood chamber and take a peak underneath? Z

Thanks PH. I agree with your thinking and have been considering rotating this hive by 90 degrees clockwise, which would be east facing, although it is very sheltered. I set the hives up with a knowledgeable local expert who reckoned south facing alighting boards would encourage them to come out...

Can anyone explain my bees odd behaviour? I inherited 2 WBC hives from an elderly gentlemen last autumn. One colony is vigorous and thriving, the other (the one I'm concerned about) is a smaller, aggressive colony. The hives are in a warm south facing position, although the entrances are facing...