Hi everyone,
So my bees haven't been noticeably different temperament-wise. I keep quite gentle bees and I only requeen to make them more gentle.
My neighbour went for a walk today, into a field about half a mile away and a hedge was audibly buzzing. Then some bees flew out, chasing the family and stinging the dog.
Meanwhile, I notice one or two bees flying in my face and my wife's face when we are outside - our hives being 7 or 8 metres away from us. All our bees are acting normal otherwise.
I walk with the neighbour (socially distant) to the field. No bees in hedge. He says it's not what it was like earlier. I tell him I'll suit up and open each hive when I get back without smoke and see what happens.
I do so, the bees barely notice I'm there. I was expecting at least one colony to boil out if they were the culprits.
Am I right in thinking that the "nosy" bees around our houses, acting out of character, are most likely from this strange hedge colony?
We have never had this issue before.
I am thinking of closing up all the hive entrances tonight and seeing what the bees are like tomorrow, but I'm not sure it's a fair test. If it is hedge swarm and they've moved on, then it will be quiet anyway.
One thing I know is I need to make my decision last thing at night or first thing in the morning.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated as I really want to understand what's going on. No stings so far, just irritating bees flying in our faces and around our heads. Really not sure of their intent.
So my bees haven't been noticeably different temperament-wise. I keep quite gentle bees and I only requeen to make them more gentle.
My neighbour went for a walk today, into a field about half a mile away and a hedge was audibly buzzing. Then some bees flew out, chasing the family and stinging the dog.
Meanwhile, I notice one or two bees flying in my face and my wife's face when we are outside - our hives being 7 or 8 metres away from us. All our bees are acting normal otherwise.
I walk with the neighbour (socially distant) to the field. No bees in hedge. He says it's not what it was like earlier. I tell him I'll suit up and open each hive when I get back without smoke and see what happens.
I do so, the bees barely notice I'm there. I was expecting at least one colony to boil out if they were the culprits.
Am I right in thinking that the "nosy" bees around our houses, acting out of character, are most likely from this strange hedge colony?
We have never had this issue before.
I am thinking of closing up all the hive entrances tonight and seeing what the bees are like tomorrow, but I'm not sure it's a fair test. If it is hedge swarm and they've moved on, then it will be quiet anyway.
One thing I know is I need to make my decision last thing at night or first thing in the morning.
Any thoughts on this would be appreciated as I really want to understand what's going on. No stings so far, just irritating bees flying in our faces and around our heads. Really not sure of their intent.
Jazz