Change in temperament?

[sean-a]

Yikes !!
I inspected my bees at the weekend for the first time this year.
I only got as far as taking one frame out of the brood box before beating a retreat from the hive.......

Last year the bees were quite docile and I had no problem getting the frames out.

I think that much the hive erupted and followed me for a good way, despite lurking in bushes to shake them off.

Plenty of stores in the first couple of frames, but didnt spot brood.

Is this normal?

 

[jonnybeegood]

Yikes !!
I inspected my bees at the weekend for the first time this year.
I only got as far as taking one frame out of the brood box before beating a retreat from the hive.......

Last year the bees were quite docile and I had no problem getting the frames out.

I think that much the hive erupted and followed me for a good way, despite lurking in bushes to shake them off.

Plenty of stores in the first couple of frames, but didnt spot brood.

Is this normal?

i'm no expert but I think it could be because they are queenless, there should probably be some brood by now, i'm sure you will get an answer soon about requeening.

 

[Erichalfbee]

It could be any number of things.
Next fine day add extra layers under your suit some leather gloves and get in to have a look. Maybe you have a brave mentor to hand.

 

[Finman]

Yikes !!


Plenty of stores in the first couple of frames, but didnt spot brood.

Is this normal?

Did you look the whole hive or what.

Ofcouse there should be brood and young larvae this time of year.
.

 

[Nige.Coll]

Two bee suits and gloves will do it lol.
The change in temper could be anyhing you need to go trough them and find out what it is.
Could be queenless.
You could have rolled or squashed bees.
Without going through the hive you wont know.
Nasty bees suck all the fun out of it.

 

[BeeJayBee]

Plenty of stores in the first couple of frames, but didnt spot brood.

Is this normal?

That probably is normal, outer frames are most usually stores. Brood would be more towards the middle of the nest.

The behaviour isn't normal though, and will need sorting out. Maybe get help from a more experienced beekeeper to go through the hive?

 

[dn170221]

If it is your first inspection in a while it may take a while to get in to it although by the sounds of it they were quite "jumpy".
Try using a clean light coloured tea towel over the top of the frames and just roll it back as you inspect. A second tea towel could be used to cover the already inspected frames as you move along.
Make sure you aren't standing in front of the entrance.
Try to make sure you smell "neutral" ie no perfume aftershave etc.
Was it windy or cold when you opened, they aren't keen on that!
Avoid wearing dark clothes gloves etc that can get them going!
Try and stay calm and keep your movements slow and careful, fast movements can cause them to ping or jump at you.
If stuck get a second beek to join you it is always easier if you have backup!!

Just my ideas take or leave as you will!!

Good luck!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Two bee suits and gloves will do it lol.

Yes if you know you're pretty impermeable it's easier to feel you have to do it and get on.
I have kept my first cheap suit and the leather gloves that came with it for just that.

 

[Torq]

Being the owner of one very aggressive colony, it can be a bit daunting when they explode up at you. You need to have confidence in your suit and you will be fine, just imagine you are watching them through a window and that they can't get at you.

Mine come out to see what's going on as soon as you get to them, smoke and open and they are fine, a few bouncing off the veil but it's when you put a hand near them that they light up. You can have 30 or more bees bouncing off your hands but the black marigolds do the job and funnily enough some days they don't sting at all just bounce. Today was one of those days. Not one sting in the gloves or suit.

When you inspect have a goal and a plan. If checking for brood, just pull out the dummy board or outer frame from either end, split the center of the colony pull out one of the middle 3 frames, check for eggs and put back. You will see straight away if there are larvae, capped brood, play cups and queen cells. Eggs take a couple of seconds to spot., but once you have seen eggs. put the frames back in and close up. 2 to 3 mins is all you need.

 

[theeggman]

Mine come out to see what's going on as soon as you get to them, smoke and open and they are fine, a few bouncing off the veil but it's when you put a hand near them that they light up. You can have 30 or more bees bouncing off your hands but the black marigolds do the job and funnily enough some days they don't sting at all just bounce. Today was one of those days. Not one sting in the gloves or suit.

A tip I was given by Mr. Hivemaker, turn your black marigolds inside out as bees don't seem to like black. I used to get stings on the hands often but since changing the colour no problems.(Thanks Pete).

 

[YorkshireBees]

Yikes !!
I inspected my bees at the weekend for the first time this year.
I only got as far as taking one frame out of the brood box before beating a retreat from the hive.......

Last year the bees were quite docile and I had no problem getting the frames out.

I think that much the hive erupted and followed me for a good way, despite lurking in bushes to shake them off.

Plenty of stores in the first couple of frames, but didnt spot brood.

Is this normal?

If your bees are anything like some of my colonies then they have glued everything down / together with propolis over the winter. The first inspection always feel more brutal as you have to 1st lever the crown board off and then separate the frames.

Personally I monitor my colonies behaviour each inspection but don't worry about it unless they are consistently ill tempered.

As others have said take a deep breath and take your time but if you are going to open a hive then there is no point giving up after the first few frames. So long as your protection is suitable you should be able to inspect even a feisty colony.

Again, as others have said, at this time of year there can be so many influences on a colony's temperament, both internal and external, that it is far too early to decide if a colony has changed.

That is my opinion anyway.

 

[sean-a]

Thanks for the messages

I'll have another look at them this evening.
I wasn't stung but thought discretion the better part of valor !

 

[theeggman]

I'll have another look at them this evening.
I wasn't stung but thought discretion the better part of valor !

Sorry but my standard saying is that cowards live longer. Retreat/ rethink, extra protection and with luck, good advice, help if available and try again and it will come together.

I gave up being a hero years ago, I'm still here. All the best.

 

[Tomo]

The more fluid I am with my movements, the less noise and cracking of frames etc the less agro I get. mmmm maybe a coincidence? I thought my bees were aggressive last year but as I have got more experienced handling them and by watching the old experienced beeks do it the more calm my bees are. Of course there are angry bees, just sharing my experience.

 

[theeggman]

The more fluid I am with my movements, the less noise and cracking of frames etc the less agro I get. mmmm maybe a coincidence? I thought my bees were aggressive last year but as I have got more experienced handling them and by watching the old experienced beeks do it the more calm my bees are. Of course there are angry bees, just sharing my experience.

You and me are getting there.

 

[sean-a]

I had another look......rampaging hoard!
Had seven stings to reward me for it! Unpleasant experience of a bee crawling inside my veil over my eyelids before I could squish it on the veil.....her or me I'm afraid :-(((

saw some capped brood in the middle, loads of bees....masses
hive seems to have plenty of strength, lots of stores

Could well afford to lose the 12 or so that I dispatched in my suit or that stung me.

I will use more smoke next time!

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I had another look......rampaging hoard!
Had seven stings to reward me for it! Unpleasant experience of a bee crawling inside my veil over my eyelids before I could squish it on the veil.....her or me I'm afraid :-(((

saw some capped brood in the middle, loads of bees....masses
hive seems to have plenty of strength, lots of stores

Could well afford to lose the 12 or so that I dispatched in my suit or that stung me.

I will use more smoke next time!

1. If you are getting bees inside your veil you either need a better bee suit or if the gear you have is good you need to learn how to put it on and seal the fastenings correctly.
A reasonable bee tight suit can be bought for £30 or so from t'interweb.
2. Excessive smoke can be quite counter productive and annoy the bees.

 

[drex]

Before you inspect next time I suggest you move the hive, an hour or two before, to bleed off the foragers. Suit up well with several layers underneath.

 

[Finman]

I'll have another look at them this evening.
!

Most of hives have bad temper before evening.

 

[madasafish]

My advice : based on many years of stings..

1. Choose a warm sunny and windless day...not before 11am and not after 5pm.
2. Insert varroa board temporarily to prevent a draught through the hive when you open it up.
3. Move hive to one side as recommended above- at least two meters.
4. Check you clothing VERY carefully . Ideally by a second person or in a mriror. Bees in veils should be a once off event which teaches you to do it up properly..
5. One or two puffs of smoke, cover up with crown board and wait a minute for bees to settle.
6. When opening up, use a cloth to cover combs you are not inspecting - reduces the number of flying bees.. tea towel is ideal. (clean of course).

7. Slow steady and methodical movements. No dark gloves and work over combs which are covered. If you work over open combs, invitation for bees to attack.
8. No perfume, or aftershave worn..