Nice bees turned nasty

[Popparand]

Checking through a brood box this afternoon. Plenty of stores and sealed brood. Bees became really aggressive, pinging off my suit and I ended up with half a dozen stings on both arms and would have had more if I hadn't closed up the hive. Is it usual for bees to get short tempered this time of year?

 

[bingevader]

If they've had a bad time with the wasps they can sometimes be a bit grumpy.
Keep an eye them to see if they calm down.
Work in the warmest time of the day so more bees are out.
Don't skimp on the smoke and give it time to work.
If you've spare kit you can place an empty on the stand to catch returning flyers and remove the brood box to a safe distance and give it a little while before inspection.
Requeening is still an option if you want to change the genes for the spring.
Our grumpiest hive has had a little calm down for some reason (it's also produced the most honey)!

 

[Bee Boys]

Are there eggs or very young larvae in the hive brood box?

 

[domino]

One of my hives is the worst I've ever had. Open the lid they fly straight of the frames, land on my arms and legs and just start stinging - no pinging etc.

And they follow.

*******s.

 

[For want of a better word]

One of my hives is the worst I've ever had. Open the lid they fly straight of the frames, land on my arms and legs and just start stinging - no pinging etc.

And they follow.

*******s.

Sympathy..... had Imported Carnolians like that in the past... don't use them anymore!

Tin hat on!
Chons da

 

[Popparand]

Are there eggs or very young larvae in the hive brood box?

Some small uncapped brood but I didn't finish the inspection! I had a beer at lunchtime - maybe they didn't like the smell? Only one (beer) that is.

 

[Popparand]

Sympathy..... had Imported Carnolians like that in the past... don't use them anymore!

Tin hat on!
Chons da

I requeened this lot with a buckfast in the spring - which they bumped off after a couple of weeks and superseded.

I think I'll put on a wetsuit under my bee suit....that'll fox them

 

[beeno]

Some small uncapped brood but I didn't finish the inspection! I had a beer at lunchtime - maybe they didn't like the smell? Only one (beer) that is.

Alcohol and bees are a no no. Their sense of smell is phenomenal.

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

Alcohol and bees are a no no. Their sense of smell is phenomenal.

Perhaps you were a little less gentle as a result of the beer. My mantra is beer and bees don't mix!

 

[Hachi]

One of my hives is the worst I've ever had. Open the lid they fly straight of the frames, land on my arms and legs and just start stinging - no pinging etc.

And they follow.

*******s.

 

[Erichalfbee]

One of my hives is the worst I've ever had. Open the lid they fly straight of the frames, land on my arms and legs and just start stinging - no pinging etc.

And they follow.

*******s.

Have fun finding the queen and pinching her
I speak from experience

 

[Popparand]

Alcohol and bees are a no no. Their sense of smell is phenomenal.

Mmmmm. Something to beer in mind!