- Joined
- Jun 8, 2010
- Messages
- 2,373
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Dartmoor edge, uk
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 5...2 wooden National, 2 poly Nat & 1 poly nuc...bursting at the seams
OK - I have never thought - this year I will requeen my hives so that they get off to a flying start next year, and a placid strain etc., and have accepted that supercedure and Q- is 'part of beekeeping'.
HOWEVER, in the last week my FinL was stung getting his washing in, chased into the shed 3 times when trying to fill a watering can - and my OH stung on the eye - when trying to see why the bees were protective of the water butts...said butts are 40-50ft from the hives, oh, and I was stung too.
So, I am wondering if I should requeen all the hives this year, so that these occurrences are hopefully less common. I am on a budget, so it would be a financial stretch - but would solve some of the family arguments that are occurring!!
Any advice, comments (polite ), suggestions etc gratefully received...
Just to clarify I have 4 hives in the garden and in 4 years have had no issues away from the hives, and it was the first time FinL was stung.
Hive #1: Swarm from last summer, was very gentle, but rsuperceded 8 weeks ago and are more defensive, but only when the hive is disturbed by inspections.
Hive #2: Had for 3 years, good but feisty if inspected and extremely protective from August onwards.
hive #3: Nuc from #1, with HM from Buckfast - lovely gentle etc.
Hive #4: Swarm, arrived first week in June, looked like it was superceding but cell disappeared, last inspection no eggs or larvae but they were not too bad at all.
So yes, they are feisty but only when inspected so these garden attacks seem out of character.
HOWEVER, in the last week my FinL was stung getting his washing in, chased into the shed 3 times when trying to fill a watering can - and my OH stung on the eye - when trying to see why the bees were protective of the water butts...said butts are 40-50ft from the hives, oh, and I was stung too.
So, I am wondering if I should requeen all the hives this year, so that these occurrences are hopefully less common. I am on a budget, so it would be a financial stretch - but would solve some of the family arguments that are occurring!!
Any advice, comments (polite ), suggestions etc gratefully received...
Just to clarify I have 4 hives in the garden and in 4 years have had no issues away from the hives, and it was the first time FinL was stung.
Hive #1: Swarm from last summer, was very gentle, but rsuperceded 8 weeks ago and are more defensive, but only when the hive is disturbed by inspections.
Hive #2: Had for 3 years, good but feisty if inspected and extremely protective from August onwards.
hive #3: Nuc from #1, with HM from Buckfast - lovely gentle etc.
Hive #4: Swarm, arrived first week in June, looked like it was superceding but cell disappeared, last inspection no eggs or larvae but they were not too bad at all.
So yes, they are feisty but only when inspected so these garden attacks seem out of character.
Last edited: