Girls were very very angry

[rje66]

Quick queries, was checking hive after recent AS to see if QC s emerged . Weather was not cold but a bit misty/damp, when I opened and took off crown board they were running around like mad on top of frames and then went ballistic. Just checked QC on marked frame and it is still closed, but Bees were bouncing off veil in large numbers, so closed up and was escorted away by Bees for approx 100 m.
So did I do something wrong?, ie not be checking due to soon arrival of HM,
Weather?
Other?
Thanks.

 

[meath]

did you use a smoker at the time.

 

[JWF]

How are they for stores? Mine have very little now and ive fed three of them, though they've remained very well behaved all year so far!

 

[rje66]

Didnt smoke as i was only having a quick peep. Would this have calmed them down a bit.
Stores seemed ok, but will check today. Do they get narky if stores get low?..
Thanks

 

[Swarm]

Always have a lit smoker with you. Whether you use it or not, it's all you have if they decide to kick off.

 

[Fatbee]

I find if they kick off smoke very rarely makes a difference and it's about shutting up and coming back another day.

Probably weather related and lack of forage in June

 

[Eyeman]

Always have a lit smoker with you. Whether you use it or not, it's all you have if they decide to kick off.

I find smoking usually works best if applied a few minutes before starting the inspection.
Once they are aggressive then smoke doesn't help much with the aggression and may make them worse.
Smoke is useful for moving bees off frame and hive tops do that there are less casualties when closing the hive.

 

[meath]

Didnt smoke as i was only having a quick peep. Would this have calmed them down a bit.
Stores seemed ok, but will check today. Do they get narky if stores get low?..
Thanks

I aint no expert. I had similar to that myself, one of the hives was so laid back it was unreal, only ever used water mist to get them off the top bars when closing up, that hive went mental last week, chasing me right back to the car, and two would not go away, 10 minutes later I had to flatten one, I didnt use smoke at the time, so it was more a question, I have to go back to that hive today, smoker will be in hand.

 

[Goran]

Recently I used clove essential oil on suit,I might say really less attacks and when misted air above open " mad" colony, they pull back between frames.
Smoker also helps, feeding with syrup about 30-60 min before inspection helps..

 

[Swarm]

The idea of the lit smoker is to keep them in the seams, if they are intent on boiling over it's shut up shop and retire and the smoke will help mask alarm pheremone.