Hive suddenly viscous!

[BernardBlack]

Did artificial swarm couple weeks ago. Original queen on original site with new brood box.

Checked this hive a couple times since with a few bees buzzing about me. Things normal enough. But today, my god! Hundreds around me. Stung through jeans 4 times (yes I know, need a full suit. But never had the need for it), and honestly couldn't get through inspection quick enough. Was actually frightening!

Didn't spot Queen but fresh eggs there. Weather normal. Not cold or breezy, about midday. I don't understand why they've suddenly gone berserk.

I'd thought maybe needs requeening. Any thoughts?

 

[user 6228]

end of season honey defensiveness + bad year for desperate wasps. =very defensive bees

 

[enrico]

If they attack you before you even get there they are aggressive. If they attack you after you have disturbed them they are defensive. Neither are pleasant but the latter tends to change with the seasons, I have one defensive hive based on wasps trying to get entry. If you don't need to go into them then just leave them alone until spring!!!! Even removing the roof will cause mayhem.
E

 

[Hivemaker.]

I'd thought maybe needs requeening. Any thoughts?

Yes, if everything else is okay they need re queening if they are like this at the next inspection.

 

[Hachi]

Found my Ex wife became like this hence now an Ex

 

[Millet]

Wasps are a real pain for firing colonies up .. even my baby hives have turned into demented bees at the moment .. all through wasps... and the angry one will not get touched apart from feeding ..

 

[BernardBlack]

Hmm I see.

Is it advisable to inspect again? How long will the wasp threat continue?

 

[enrico]

Why are you inspecting? You know there are fresh eggs therefore there is a queen. Do you have a solution for any problem you may find? What problem are you likely to find? I would leave them alone!
E

 

[beeno]

Maybe they have just gone -Q.

 

[Angry_Mob]

You are maybe inspecting too much as well, twice in two weeks this time of the year is a bit unnecessary?

 

[Bakerbee]

I agree with hivemaker. After having two of his queens my bees are calm quiet and so tolerant. I will slways requeen hives on a third strike bad behaviour policy from now on

 

[Stedic]

All 5 of my colonies have gone from being absolutely fine to a bit evil.

None of them are overrun with wasps but they are about, as are european hornets, the odd dragonfly thing having a go etc. I've also noticed that, compared to last year, I seem to have a lot more bees and they are going through a lot more stores.

I recall one hive doing this last year (our of only 2 hives) and thinking I would requeen in the spring. That hive was delightful come the spring, has been lovely all season and is now a pain.

So, based on my very limited knowledge, I wouldn't do anything too hasty - see how they are in the spring when you have options with queens.

 

[Swarm]

No mention what their temperament was like before. It could be any number of things. No reason to be inspecting now, the bees are sealing things up and all you do is make them work twice (one cause for moodiness)
It could be a wasp problem, only you know what the situation is there. No wasp problem at my apiary.
If they were tetchy before, consider a requeen, if not, see what they are like next season.
Only lift frames if you have a reason to do so.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

No mention what their temperament was like before. It could be any number of things. No reason to be inspecting now, the bees are sealing things up and all you do is make them work twice (one cause for moodiness)
It could be a wasp problem, only you know what the situation is there. No wasp problem at my apiary.
If they were tetchy before, consider a requeen, if not, see what they are like next season.
Only lift frames if you have a reason to do so.

 

[madasafish]

I stop all inspections August.
Some hives defensive due to wasps - underfloor entrance ones fine, narrow other entrances down.

No wasp traps near apiary - just act as wasp attractant.Just weigh/heft to ensure enough stores and Apiguard them. Minimal disruption.

If they attack on a regular basis when I strim under hives , requeen.

 

[mbc]

Did artificial swarm couple weeks ago. Original queen on original site with new brood box.

Checked this hive a couple times since with a few bees buzzing about me. Things normal enough. But today, my god! Hundreds around me. Stung through jeans 4 times (yes I know, need a full suit. But never had the need for it), and honestly couldn't get through inspection quick enough. Was actually frightening!

Didn't spot Queen but fresh eggs there. Weather normal. Not cold or breezy, about midday. I don't understand why they've suddenly gone berserk.

I'd thought maybe needs requeening. Any thoughts?

Why did you shook swarm them and why have you checked them 3(?) times in a couple of weeks? Seems excessive to me, it would piss off most bees.
If they were shaken onto foundation then they might be struggling for resources, I presume you're keeping them topped up with syrup feed but if pollens short at this time in your area consider a pollen supplement patty to help them re-establish their nest.

 

[Ian123]

He’s not shook swarmed them he says AS and inspected twice in 2 weeks

 

[mbc]

He’s not shook swarmed them he says AS and inspected twice in 2 weeks

A yes, my apols I misread, he does say checked a couple of times then again mind.

 

[Beagle23]

I agree with some of the earlier posts. Get your Varroa treatment in, spare supers off and then just leave them until the cold weather hits when you can check on their stores.

 

[Curly green fingers]

Autumn's early this year , our bee's no this and are foraging like mad this is my second and I've not seen so many bee's in the hives.
Even more reason for them to be a bit defencive.