Hi All
 
Thanks very much for all of the help I received on this topic.
 
In my attempts to get a list of notes for myself on this subject, I have
put together as best I can, the advice so kindly given to me by the members
of the list.
 
I summarise these below as I understand them, and I would be glad of further
comments and criticism.
 
 
 
 
The agressiveness of the colony can be kept at a low level by re queening each
year with a queen of known docility.
 
 
Two types of bees can cause trouble for the surrounding residents or passers
by.
 
1. Foraging Bees
2. Guard Bees
 
1. Foraging Bees. Of the two, these are the more benign bees and are easier
   to cater for. Foraging bees may attack when:-
 
   (1) they blunder into a person.
 
   (2) they are interfered with during foraging.
 
   (3) they are foraging frenzily in the vicinity of the apiary looking for
       easy pickings (robbing).
 
   The following will reduce these possibilities.
 
   (1) Surround the apiary by a fence say 2 metres high which will raise
       the flight paths from the general public.
 
   (2) Provide a water supply in the apiary if possible, to prevent the
       water foragers descending on neighbours pools and water gardens.
 
   (3) Institute procedures to prevent robbing.
 
2. Guard Bees. These seem to be the 'bad boys' and are more difficult to
   handle.
 
   The likelihood of attack from the colony depends on the number of
   guard bees deployed.
 
   The number of guard bees deployed by a colony:-
 
   (1) varies directly with the length of the entrance to be defended.
 
   (2) varies inversely with the amount of nectar coming into the colony.
 
   (3) varies directly with the perceived threat (from the beekeeper
       and/or from robbing).
 
   (4) varies inversely with the length of time which has passed since
       the perceived threat was a reality (the passage of time from when the
threat occurred, causes the number of guards to be reduced).
 
   (5) varies with the weather - hot humid weather causes more guard bees
       to be deployed, warm pleasant weather causes fewer.
 
 
   The following will reduce the likelihood of attack from the guard bees.
 
   (1). After manipulating the bees, reduce the sizes of the entrances for
        about an hour. This will reduce the number of guard bees that
        can be deployed. To achieve this, I am installing sliders on my
        hives, which will make this procedure easier.
 
   (2) During a dearth, reduce the sizes of the entrances.
 
   (3) Institute procedures to stop robbing, and if robbing is occurring,
       then reduce the sizes of the entrances.
 
   (4). Since all manipulations must disturb the colony, keep the number of
        manipulations to a minimum, and try to arrange that neighbours are
        not in their gardens (week day beekeeping) when the bees are being
        worked on, or for an hour or two afterwards.
 
   (5) Do not manipulate the bees during hot humid weather.
 
 
Sincerely
Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
 
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