Thaks to all the helpful solutions to my mean Hive X problem.  Since the
big summer honey flow has started in the Santa Barbara area, and since this
hive promises to collect the most honey this season (don't all aggressive
hives have good production numbers),  I am going to let this hive work its
magic and then try the method as suggested by Betty McAdam. I will use one
of the screen divider boards with have openings for several entrances,
including a 45 degree one.
 
I have several nucs with queens of known gentle nature waiting to be used
for just this purpose.  However, I have learned from previous experience
that when a nuc is placed in the old hive location, you need to cage the
new queen for a few days because the overhelming effect of foreign field
bees can kill a queen.
 
Paul Cronshaw DC
Santa Barbara CA USA
 
******
 
   Date:    Sun, 25 May 1997 23:03:08 +0900
From:    j h & e mcadam <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Taming a mean hive
 
Paul Cronshaw wrote:
 
>In one of my apiary yards with 7 hives, my largest and most active hive is
>the meanest.  I call it Hive X.  All others I can work with veil only on a
>nice warm day.
 
>SO naturally I do not want to look thru this hive for a queen.  What is the
>quickest way to flush out a bad queen in a mean hive without pulling apart
>their home?  I think we discussed this topic in a previous thread.  It
>boiled down to a decision between the mean bees or the wife going!!
 
I have had one or two very aggressive hives.  On advice from a queen
breeder, I turned the mean hive at 45 degree angle and placed another hive
so the entrance was where the mean hive had been.  The new hive was stocked
with unsealed and sealed brood with attendant bees  and a quiet queen - it
does not have to be very strong as it will immediately be reinforced with
all the foraging bees from the mean hive.  However all bees raised from then
on will be descendants of the new queen and the hive seems to quieten down
almost immediately.  You are left with a mean hive with only the nurse bees
and the queen.  After a week, it is usually possible to work through this
hive and locate the queen quickly and kill her.  The nurse bees have not yet
acquired the same aggressive tendencies.  You can then unite the brood and
remaining bees to the new hive with newspaper and you will have a very
productive hive acquiring almost no stings in the process.
 
Worked for me!
 
Betty McAdam