Aggressive bees?

[conops]

Hi,

First time hive owner, first time post. Hi!

I have had some bees now for just 3 weeks. I got a package of bees for a top bar hive. Weeks one and two went well and the bees were really docile and placid and a joy to be around. In the last 5-6 days though the bees have started to become aggressive. Or, at least more aggressive than weeks one and two. I don't have a frame of reference though to what consists aggressive and what more experienced keepers would deem as normal behaviour.

I got stung last Friday, just inspecting the hive - no frames removed just took the top off to check the sugar syrup feeder. Then a few days ago whilst trying to inspect the frames, guards came out to attack. I just packed them up for the day.

Tonight, I had only just got to the hive (about 3 feet away) and a few bees attacked and stung.

I could have been on a flight path but this has not happened in the first two weeks. It is my usual route to the hive

I have read that the weather could be an issue and also the June gap, though I am still feeding the bees whilst they settle in.

So, in summary...have been attacked on the past 3 consecutive occasions in the past 5-6 days, with tonight being the least provocative in that I hadn't even got near to the hive.

Any thoughts? Is this something to be concerned about?

Cheers

Andy

 

[Beefriendly]

Tonight, I had only just got to the hive (about 3 feet away) and a few bees attacked and stung.


Any thoughts? Is this something to be concerned about?

Cheers

Andy

If you are wearing the correct suit/glove/etc then bees might "attack" you but shouldn't be able to sting you at three foot from the hive.
What were wearing (or not wearing) that enabled them to sting you?

Yes it something to be concerned about, it sounds as thought the colony is expanding and it's getting more aggressive. You need to re-queen with a strain of known gentleness. Problem is if you are just starting off then this will be very difficult for you. You need assistance and guidance very badly, join your local bee association and ask someone experienced for help.

 

[JWF]

One other possibility is that if you're feeding them you've spilled some of the syrup on or around the hive, and this has encouraged another colony to rob your hive. This would make your colony very defensive.

What does the activity at the front of the hive look like? Nice and orderly in and out of the entrance, or a bit frantic with bees fighting with each other?

Edited to add - as beefriendly said, advice from somebody with experience will be worth it's weight in gold.

 

[madasafish]

Pm sent

 

[Bakerbee]

Can i also add however tempting, inspecting the hive many times over a short period also upsets them. Keep an eye on the situation absolutely but also give it more time, i dont think its long enough to label them as aggressive, bees temperament can fluctuate for different reasons and then return to calm . Also remember dont wear dark colours and dont walk in their flight path.

 

[conops]

Thanks for the advice. It isn't spilt syrup, the bees definitely came out of the hive and yes, I agree, I don't want to label them aggressive (hence the question mark) as it may be a temporary behaviour but as I'm new to this, really welcome more experienced keepers input.

Cheers

A

 

[Poly Hive]

Can you find someone with proper experience to have a look with you?

PH

 

[conops]

Yes, I'm off to see Madasafish tomorrow who has a top bar hive. Cheers. Andy.

 

[pargyle]

That's good news - Mike was very helpful to me when I started out (albeit from a distance) you will get some good advice and you will love his garden ...

 

[Millet]

Yes, I'm off to see Madasafish tomorrow who has a top bar hive. Cheers. Andy.

Excellent hats of to the fish man...

 

[Beefriendly]

Excellent hats of to the fish man...

Yeah, good to see this happening. Bet he quickly coverts Conops into using Buckfast bees (from reputable breeders).

 

[For want of a better word]

Yeah, good to see this happening. Bet he quickly coverts Conops into using Buckfast bees (from reputable breeders).

Whatever a Buckfast bee is in your neck of the woods!!!

 

[Beefriendly]

Whatever a Buckfast bee is in your neck of the woods!!!

Calm, quiet, non aggressive honey monsters is what they are like in my neck of the woods..

 

[For want of a better word]

Calm, quiet, non aggressive honey monsters is what they are like in my neck of the woods..

I must have Black Buckfasts then.. bless BA !!

 

[Millet]

I must have Black Buckfasts then.. bless BA !!

I have been doing this little hobby for four years now in the colder North East.. my first three seasons where with mongrels ( angry mongrels) which learned me to respect bees...they give me 17lb of honey in the three years i kept them.

Most beeks said to me you will be lucky if you get a full super in your location as it is too cold.. WRONG So So So wrong. in my location i needed the right type of Bee/Strain/Queen... Beefriedly delivered the good's with knowledge and help.. and with this help i have extracted around 100lb of Honey with a lot more to come..

 

[mickbees23]

I have been doing this little hobby for four years now in the colder North East.. my first three seasons where with mongrels ( angry mongrels) which learned me to respect bees...they give me 17lb of honey in the three years i kept them.

Most beeks said to me you will be lucky if you get a full super in your location as it is too cold.. WRONG So So So wrong. in my location i needed the right type of Bee/Strain/Queen... Beefriedly delivered the good's with knowledge and help.. and with this help i have extracted around 100lb of Honey with a lot more to come..

As much as I admire Nigel's bees I strongly believe its wrong to suggest ' Local mongrels ' are all aggressive and poor producers. I am quite close to you and suffer the same weather and its a pain most of the time but I have 4 colonies at the moment that are on 4 supers and an absolute pleasure to work with. Several others are on 3 and the rest on 2. After what was the worst spring in my lifetime these bees have made the most amazing bounce back and I have nothing but love for them. One colony has 21 frames of national brood. Yes I would be the first to admit they want to swarm most years but managed correctly its not such a big issue. Please don't write off all locals as its not warranted. People have different experiences in different parts of the country.

Just saying

Cheers, Mick.

 

[Beefriendly]

As much as I admire Nigel's bees I strongly believe its wrong to suggest ' Local mongrels ' are all aggressive and poor producers..

Quite right Mick. You are very fortunate to have calm locals. Most of us aren't that lucky.
But I'll back the type of bees I keep vs local mongrels on honey production any time.

 

[Swarm]

Quite right Mick. You are very fortunate to have calm locals. [edit]I'm not that lucky.

Problem sorted.