Having been asked for help with strange behavior in a hive, Fletcher Miller & I
(Tom Elliott), went for a look see.  We found a single hive of honeybees, about
50 ft. from the beekeepers house, who behaved rather strangely.  When standing
near the house one or two bees would come up and aggressively buzz around.  The
beekeepers were quite intimidated even though they normally worked their bees
without any protective equipment beyond a smoker.  They had received several
stings and bees were no longer "fun".  All stinging took place in the immediate
area around the house.
 
Fletcher & I were able to take off their honey, and do some pretty involved
manipulations, without any gear but a smoker.  No signs of hostility.
 
It turned out that the house was in the process of being oiled (a natural cedar
house) and because of extreme mosquito problems a diazinon insecticide designed
for addition to house paints & such was added to the oil.
 
Our conclusion was that the insecticide was the cause of the bees strange
hostility.
 
Anyone know of anything like this.  Any way to deal with the problem.  My
suggestion was to place the hive at a greater distance from the house, but that
was just a shot in the dark.
 
Any information which might help prevent a repeat of this years problem may
prevent this couple giving up on honeybees.
 
Tom Elliott
Anchorage,  Alaska
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