This is my Hives second spring. They did really well last year. I worked with them fine throughout the summer. left them alone all winter.
Gave then Sugar Syrup 2 weeks ago Cause they were"collecting algae" - or so it seemed. figured they were hungry. Last week my wife called. Swarm was over house and left to woods.
I still have full hive of bees. Howver, but 2 days ago Bees attacked my dog (chained up @150 Ft away.) She got @ 150+ stings. she is tremory, but seems to be improving. I sat 3 feet from the hive that evening and three cats actually stuck nose in hive entrance. No attack - no stings..
This AM - I just came in from opening the hive. Bees acted normal. Used some smoke. but The SECOND I scraped some propilis from the top edge. @100 bees agressively came out of the hive and one stung me on the hand. They did not chase me and I got the cover back on.
a few minutes later (with my hand covered/smoked to mask any residual alaram odor). I stood 5 feet and ten feet from hive and had a couple "buzzers" tried to warm me away, but no attack.
Guess it's time to re-queen. But how to accomplish if I need to kill old queen? Guess I could use full suit and gloves, but gloves make me clumsy. If I can't scrape - how am I going to remove combs for inspection.
Question for all the experienced Keepers out there. Is it normal for Italian Bees to be so agressive during swarming and so soon afterward. We are in East Texas Piney Woods. I know AHB are known to be in our county. Far as I can tell - no new behaviors have been going on around hive. same animals in yard (1.25 acres)
Any observations or personal experiences would be helpful. I am considering that I'll need to close off the entrances and destroy this hive. I'd hate to though...
By the way, sorry if there are any typos I missed. the sting on my right hand is affecting my typing, espcially with jklop.. Thanks
Newbie with Concerns..