Strange behaviour after splitting a big hive.

[kalium]

I recently(yesterday) split a large hive (four boxes) in the backyard.

What has happened since then has really surprised me. What's happened is that the bees
seem lost, disoriented, or looking for something. They are coming in the house through the
windows, they are buzzing around me everytime I go outside, and when I go into my little apiary
they are all over me (not stinging mind you, just buzzing around me really really closely). This
is very unusual in my experience with them.

I don't think they are being aggressive, they certainly haven't stung anyone yet but have had
plenty of opportunity to. I've had the bees there for months, and have even done (smaller) splits and it has
never been a problem.

Any idea what is going on ?

[GSF]

When I see that behavior around here it's usually robbing. Sometimes when you split/inspect or what ever, you damage the capped honey. This may set off robbing. Be sure to reduce the entrance down to where only one or two bees can get through.

[thewhiterhino]

Is it possible they lost their queen?
Ross

[BeeMaster2]

Is it possible they lost their queen?
Ross

X2
Did you provide them with new queens or did you let them make their own?
Jim

[jayj200]

One of mine does that when I mow the lawn.
the state says a feral are now African-ized 
me thinks so too
we got rid of an African hive. I dont want those drones out among-est the others   

[kalium]

Is it possible they lost their queen?
Ross

X2
Did you provide them with new queens or did you let them make their own?
Jim

I just gave them a frame of eggs to make their own.

They've finally quietened down, although it took them a good 2-3 days.

[BeeMaster2]

They are very unsettled until they have a queen or a queen larva in the hive.
Jim