Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: beemaster on April 16, 2005, 01:58:47 pm
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Yesterday, windy and cool - but the bees were active. I (stupidly didn't pay attention to Beemaster's Advice :roll: ) opened the hive without the smoker and TRIED to pull a frame out of the endside. The frames (all of them) were waxed tight, but unknown to me BURR COMB had glued the bottom of the frame I was pulling out tight against the top of the frame below.
I finally pryed it loose but a side bar and the bottom of the frame came loose and in the removal process, a dozen bees attacked my face with a vengence.
I hurt for two hours, most the stings were around my eyes and NONE were in me more than a second or two, but I got some serious swelling (first stings of the year are needed to build up tolerance).
Then the tough part, trying to get the frame back in - and here they came again. I still didn't have the smoker handy and thought I could get in-and-out with it. I did the best I could, recovered with the inner cover and put the blasted top back on - I'll fix it later on a less windy day in full garb.
I think though that THESE BEES this season are a bit more agressive than they were last - I have entered the hive MANY TIMES without presmoking and this was just horrible with HUNDREDS in flight in just a seconds time.
So C2 (Colony Two) will be closely followed and a new queen may JUST be the thing it needs to calm them down. But first, listen to my own suggestions and get out the smokers: a dog may be Man's best friend, but a SMOKE is a BEEKEEPERS!!!!
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Another thing to keep in mind regarding docile colonies that suddenly go aggressive is this: When a virgin queen mates, under ideal conditions she mates with 3,4 sometimes as many as 6 drones. As she uses up the semen from one drone and moves onto the stores of the next, you get a whole different genetic make-up for your hive! Sometimes the results are good, and sometimes not so good. Sometimes you can't even tell it's happened! But keep in mind, the queen is only half the genetic stock for the female workers! :D
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Must be a seasonal or climate deal beemaster. Smells like they are making honey, fruit trees busting out, and I'm finding them a little ill tempered also. Took 5 to the head before I could call oly oly oxen free!!
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Didn't I say something somewhere about suiting up because one never knows? I thought I did.
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You may have. But the person I was trying to sell the honey to was wearing my veil.
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I have been going in without my smoker the last 2 times and havent had any problems yet. bye :D
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OOWWEE !! Hope you don't have a BLACK eye.
We ( Cook College BEE-ginners class) had some good luck today in Columbus, NJ as the Bees were pretty docile in calm wind & warm sunshine today.
It was the first time for most of us at an open hive. With more than 35 people attending, the hives were open longer than needed and the Bees didn't seem to mind.With some hands on, I made up my mind to be a hobby Beekeeper, unfortunately I may not get bees this year because most places are already SOLD OUT. Hopefully I'll find someone who still has a few packages left or maybe a nuc.
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BeeHopper-
Oh boy..... all sold out already? That stinks. Put an ad in the paper or something to try and find a beekeeper that might be willing to make a split for you or something. That would be a bummer to have to wait all the way until next winter to order and then next spring to start.
I had heard it would be really difficult this year for new beekeepers. So many people lost their hives this winter and got their orders in real early.
Beth
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I feel a little better now The bee keeping business in no game for sissies lol. My colony that I have been trying to increase has with the increased handling become pretty badly aggressive. they come out after me when I drive by on the tractor now. I got the small swarm going now that I got a week ago it moved into one of the nucs I was making and made itself right at home. when I first got the original hive they were ever so gentle and that gave me a false sense of security I was opening the hive without the suit or smake and getting away with it. NO more they must have started on some new eggs or just learned to hate me. I went out today to just get the supers on right as I made a mistake and left aa top under the super I put on top so I was going to just get everything straight since I had left in a hurry a few days ago and had to regain my courage. well i couldnt get it straight quick enough for them and they got really angry and I got on the tractor and drove around a while to get rid of them. It took a long time cause my tractor wont go but nine miles per hour.I finally gave up on that and went to the yard and into the greenhouse and sprayed water on the one that were still with me and took off the jacket. I was sitting in here thinking Now bill you might just be too stupid to be a beekeeper Then beemaster I saw yourt post and I feel a lot less stupid. I swear I am going to get foolproof protective gear and light the smoker next time when I get enough nerve to go again. I have three shives apparently going now. I think that might be enough till I get more sense. Unleess of course I get another swarm