Bill Truesdell <[log in to unmask]> wrote
 
[snip]
 
> I
>visited a "mean" hive once with one of them, and while I was still
>working the hive, he was running for his truck to get a veil, gloves and
>suit!
 
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.
 
Today I worked on Hive X to change a rotting bottom board.  By the time I
was done I had to use duct tape to keep them off my ankles (try walking on
20 sting ankles :)
 
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!!
 
Actually I consider today's experience on-the-job training for working with
future hives of AHB when they arrive in Santa Barbara, CA.:)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Paul Cronshaw, D.C.
Cyberchiro and Hobbyist Beekeeper
Santa Barbara, CA  USA