In a message dated 04/11/2009 14:01:56 GMT Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
if one encounters a hot hive in ahb territory (or not) and there is a
serious stinging incident, why does anyone need a lab test (fabis/dna) to help
determine the fate of such a colony? if they are dangerously
defensive/aggressive, they should be dealt with regardless of what the lab says.
There are many reasons why a colony may exhibit bad temper that are nothing
to do with their genes. As an example I recently was asked by a friend to
sort out one of her colonies that she found to be overly aggressive. It is
on a platform (to keep it above flood levels) at the end of her garden. I
went through it, marking the queen, and it was fine - maybe 1 sting. The
difference was that I gave it some smoke before touching the platform
whereas she normally climbed the platform and then lit the smoker etc. Although
she is a lightweight it must have felt like an earthquake to the bees when
she climbed onto the platform and understandably the guards were put out of
sorts.
Chris
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