Very Angry Bees

[BeeJuice]

I have four hives which have been pretty clam all year. In the last couple of weeks though two of them have gone mad - a whole new level of aggression..

I have two hives that seem not to even notice I'm there when I do an inspection. If a bee gets accidentally squished they buzz a bit louder but that's all.

The bees from one of other two hives come out to meet me and as soon as I open up the hive they go bonkers. Not just the one or two bouncing off the face mesh - I'm talking about thousands of bees trying to sting me. I went in this morning and got 50 stings on my goat skin gloves in a couple of minutes. They also follow me away from the hive for 50 or so meters.

I keep my bees at home and have children and neighbours to consider. A mentor of mine is taking one hive and I'm prepared to live with one other that is basically fine unless I open them up.

I appreciate that they may be defensive because they have honey to protect but is this total change of character normal? Might they revert to being peaceful bees?

 

[Cussword]

They may, and it could be because of the honey, but as your bees are at home I would strongly suggest that you move your hives as soon as possible. If not the honey then I would suggest that you requeen, there are queen breeders on this forum.
As an alternative, do you have anywhere else that you can keep them for a while?

 

[Swarm]

It's the chance you take with bees in a garden
Why are you inspecting? Unless you have problems, this time of year is a quick check to see if they need another super.
Mid September should see fewer bees, making last inspection easier. They are going to be more defensive because they have hard earned stores to protect.
Are they OK if you're just doing your own thing or are they patrolling the garden?

 

[pargyle]

It's the chance you take with bees in a garden
Why are you inspecting? Unless you have problems, this time of year is a quick check to see if they need another super.
Mid September should see fewer bees, making last inspection easier. They are going to be more defensive because they have hard earned stores to protect.
Are they OK if you're just doing your own thing or are they patrolling the garden?

Ahhh ... beat me to it ... there's a world of difference between the hive from hell that protects an area of 20 yards in all directions and one that doesn't like being opened up when they have stores to protect.

Weekly inspections are long gone for me .. a quick look through clear crownboards and a heft of the top super is enough. There are still a few swarms about but it's getting late for them now ...

 

[BeeJuice]

It's the chance you take with bees in a garden
Why are you inspecting? Unless you have problems, this time of year is a quick check to see if they need another super.
Mid September should see fewer bees, making last inspection easier. They are going to be more defensive because they have hard earned stores to protect.
Are they OK if you're just doing your own thing or are they patrolling the garden?

One hive keeps themselves to themselves - the other is on the lookout for anyone who approaches. This one is going to an isolated spot where they caan't do any harm. The other one I'll leave alone.

I've not been inspecting - just checking on the supers.. I was going to look further but they drove me away.

Sounds like they may come good..

 

[nantmoel]

Hives can become aggressive if they are queen less, we had a hive that was fine until the queen went awall! But then if you can't get near them to inspect them you won't know if they are queen less. I also have a Nuc that I made up to overwinter and there's a few bees in there thats hell bent on inflicting pain, even stung me whilst washing the car last week. I certainly would not keep nasty bees in a garden, especially a garden with children, the other hive you mention that are mad when opened up, I would move that one as well.

 

[beeno]

Hi BeeJuice, Any signs of robbing? Mine are out in numbers at the entrance defending their stores in the brood boxes, but the calmest they been all year.
My supers are off though as they were moving stores down. They seem very well organised with their winter preparations.
Earlier in the year they were bothered by the wood pigeons landing on the hives. It was funny seeing them chasing the birds off. Perhaps something is bothering your colonies?