I have a hive which is mean and is difficult to work.
It is my intention to add a few tablespoons of sulfur to an old smoker and
smoke this hive heavily then block the opening thus killing all inside.
The brood combs will be distributed to two nearby hives which will winter over
in 3 deeps.
This hive is a buckfast supercedure and I am just about done with buckfast
bees even though they did fairly well here.
Midnites have done better and wintered better and superceded without nearly
the mean streak.
 
Things tried thusfar.
 
Moving hive off stand
Spraying bees with sugar water
Leaving covers off for an hour.
 
Approching this hive with the smoker is good for a dozen stings on a good day
and a dozen dive bombers will run you right to the pickup truck.
Working the hive has 20-30 bees bouncing off the veil and the rest trying to
nail you antywhere conveniant.
 
How long does it take for sulfur fumes to kill the occupants and about how
much sulfur should I add to the coals in a smoker?
 
Hate to do this but see no real alternative this late in the season.
Tom in CT