Aggressive Bees!

[Cherry111]

Is anyone else suffering from very aggressive bees? I have several hives in my garden, on an estate and also in the large garden of a friend some miles away. Both apiaries have suddenly produced very aggressive bees, following and stinging anyone walking well beyond any reasonable distance. It seems to have happened recently, I'd almost say in the good weather. Is there likely to be any reason other than obviously, an aggressive queen who needs to be removed? I am thinking of immediately breaking my colonies into nucs, removing any queen cells which develop and re queening from a reputable source. Any other suggestions for solving this problem quickly would be really appreciated.

 

[MartinL]

Is anyone else suffering from very aggressive bees? I have several hives in my garden, .

Seems to me, those suffering the most are people trying to relax in their own garden while their neighbours are poking about colonies of bees kept in close proximity,
i.e. next door.

There are several posts on this, the common theme seems to be,
hives in gardens?

Any other suggestions for solving this problem quickly would be really appreciated.

We're in the middle of the Annual -nationwide gardening spree & general tidy up. Tomorrow is national "wait in line at the tip day"!

Could it be that garden strimmers, Lawn mowers & other devices not having seen the light of day in 6 months are disturbing not only the environmentally conscious but the wildlife as well??

 

[Cherry111]

Should have said; This is my fifth year in both apiaries with absolutely no problem whatsoever ever.

 

[Etton]

I have exactly the same problem. Not sure if it’s related to hive inspections. I checked all mine yesterday and some were angry which has continued into today. Previously all quiet and I could wander without a veil. Have others noticed same after hive inspections that they turn angry and it goes over to next day(s)?

 

[Fritillary]

Well I'm disappointed that the colony here which I was pretty sure was reasonably calm and okay certainly wasn't pleased with me today, on my simply taking off the crown board. In good sunny weather, not too hot where they are, peaceful all around etc. Just put the board and lid back on, but they continued hostile with me anywhere in the vicinity.

- Dismayed as I have recently dealt with another colony which was intolerably overdefensive in the autumn and hoped all that was over!

The only one I actually opened up and inspected etc. here today? No problem at all.

 

[4sausagedogs]

I too had grumpy bees in ones of hives, they have never behaved like this before.
All flying at my face and quite a few followers
Had a quick peek and saw a few queen cups that were empty. Will leave a couple of days that and look again to see what’s going on.

 

[For want of a better word]

Seems to me, those suffering the most are people trying to relax in their own garden while their neighbours are poking about colonies of bees kept in close proximity,
i.e. next door.

There are several posts on this, the common theme seems to be,
hives in gardens?


We're in the middle of the Annual -nationwide gardening spree & general tidy up. Tomorrow is national "wait in line at the tip day"!

Could it be that garden strimmers, Lawn mowers & other devices not having seen the light of day in 6 months are disturbing not only the environmentally conscious but the wildlife as well??

Full moon and Sirius rising, plus the moons of Uranus clearly visible.... and it has been unseasonably clement for Easter????

 

[madasafish]

I have an aggressive hive - but it was Q-: raising own queen from test frame.

I had visitors today to see the hives in the garden. Father and 7 year old daughter.. Looked at bees through clear CBs..no problems...despite them arriving when I was in middle of inspections.. After they left I attracted followers from the Q- hive! (in life, timing is all)

 

[Beefriendly]

Same here....some previously docile ***** cats have suddenly turned into tigers. Very large defensive perimeter.....too large.
Buggered if I can figure out why....
Unfortunately they are not close enough to my very nosy and noisy neighbours BBQ. Damn.....

 

[colinc]

Someone raised it elsewhere but predation may play a role. If the hornets and wasps are doing as well as the bees in this exceptional spring, hawking the hives may be making the bees defensive.
I got stung last week whilst digging in the garden but this week they are ***** cats again and I mowed past the hive and wheeed a barrow full of dirt past them too.

Bees will do what they do. If they stay aggressive I will requeen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[coffindodger]

Similar experiences at home and at an apiary I look after many miles away. Normally both apiaries are well behaved but, this last week they have both been fiesty. No QCs and no obvious problems. Lots of bees, stores and brood at both places. We've gone from 0 deg during the day to 24 deg with a week, which may be a coincidence, but I suspect that there could be a link.

 

[mjt68]

They get testy when a flow comes to an end or if there isn't as much forage as they 'expect'. If flowers don't use the same spring cues as bees and you're in suburbia or somewhere without osr then there might not be the forage to match the colony sizes? Or the opposite: tons of nectar limiting laying room and brood pheromone?

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Strange, another hand up here...see my separate post.

One wonders if it may be something to do with weather? High pressure? Normally the weather is good and the bees are good, its stormy and they get the grumps.

The other thing could be "queen change" in whatever form. As my other post indicates I think I have had a swarm and now have a VQ. "Stay away from my home until her ladyship is sated!"....???

I can take all the variables of swarms, wintering and even diseases. But nasty bees is a different stress....

 

[mjt68]

But could also be the opposite- more nectar than they feel they can look after?

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Quote: "They get testy when a flow comes to an end or if there isn't as much forage as they 'expect'. If flowers don't use the same spring cues as bees and you're in suburbia then there might not be the forage to match the colony sizes? Or the opposite: tons of nectar limiting laying room and brood pheromone?"[/I][/I]

This would make a lot of sense. Particularly as it offers optimism-with-patience which is a good combination in any walk of life.

 

[mjt68]

Strange, another hand up here...see my separate post.

One wonders if it may be something to do with weather? High pressure? Normally the weather is good and the bees are good, its stormy and they get the grumps.

The other thing could be "queen change" in whatever form. As my other post indicates I think I have had a swarm and now have a VQ. "Stay away from my home until her ladyship is sated!"....???

I can take all the variables of swarms, wintering and even diseases. But nasty bees is a different stress....

Queenless colonies will always be grumpier

 

[blackcloud]

A bee went for a sniff around inside my bait hive this afternoon.When it came back out I was a good 10 foot away but it had a right go at me,bumping until I ran off.

Had the last laugh on bees though when a big bumble invited itself in .It had a buzz around the headed out towards the back door .
A three foot wide back door.
It hit the doorframe and landed on its back.
When I stopped laughing I scooped it up and sent it on its way

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

But could also be the opposite- more nectar than they feel they can look after?

Ive noticed alot of nectar where there should be brood as I have created more space...very quickly....is that a sign?

 

[mjt68]

Ive noticed alot of nectar where there should be brood as I have created more space...very quickly....is that a sign?

Maybe? Less open brood would mean lower 'brood pheromone'?

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Should have said; This is my fifth year in both apiaries with absolutely no problem whatsoever ever.

Same here, 4th year. Its a bit of a wake up call!