Perhaps I need to give a little background as to why my post....
A friend asked me to take over his "Fiesty" hive whilst his work and personal life get in the way.
I took them over he moved them to my apiary and I let them settle down. After a week or so tried to get into them, WOW!! I cracked off the crown board and they go berserk. I quickly made my way down the supers taking ten stings. Decided to close up and re-think my approach.
This continued for about a month, I limited myself to ten stings per visit which meant I never got to the Queen excluder above the brood box.
Decided to re-Queen. Moving hive to new location 20ft to right at midday so as to "bleed" off the flying bees to original site to reduce bee numbers, the seal moved and I took 15 stings so placed the hive on floor and executed a tactical withdraw very quickly.
I'm done, these are not fiesty they are evil and presented a clear danger to the farmer and I and passersby, I even started getting pinged when I arrived at the apiary when I was getting out of my truck some 120ft from the hive. Called my buddy and told him to either collect them or they will be no more; his call.
They went at the weekend to a professional bee keeper. He got stung collecting them.
At each visit I was fully suited and booted but my suit is tight and they were stinging me thro the suit hence my post. I agree a veil will not be good enough but as I have never owned one just seen piccy's of them, I thought I'd get your advice. Thanks. I think I know where my money is going to be spent.
I have met some real nice and sincere people along this journey and I have learnt some valuable lessons along the way. There is absolutely no good reason to tolerate bee's as nasty as these (words fail me when trying to describe their ferocity) They may be excellent foragers but whether you practice the craft for pleasure or for your occupation you don't need honey this badly. My personal limits to tolerating "fiesty" bee's has been clearly defined for me and its a line I will not cross. If I have a hive heading this way I will take steps to resolve it straight away.
Thanks all for your help and advice it is very much appreciated.
H