>>I bought from Hawiaii. Carniolans to be exact. Carniolans tend to be gentle but Carniolan hybrids may not be. >>They start to defend the hive 10 meters away. Assuming the extra defensiveness is not in the genes, this is often an indication of an earlier disturbance. At this time, yellow jackets will often harrass hives and take bees, causing the hives to be on guard. If you don't have a decent flow on, lots of foragers will be idle at the hive ready for a fight. Someone could have sprayed some chemicals in the area aggravating the bees... >>When I walked back in the field this afternoon to check them I was met with a few bees over 30 meters from the hive. You did not have a banana or two just before going out there? ;-) I went to check a hive after snacking on a banana and could not figure out why several bees kept flying at my mouth and nose... Afterwards, I realized it must have been my banana breath. Bees associate banana odor with their alarm odor! Before requeening, I'd flip flop this hive with your weakest one in the early evening. You'll rid of most of the older foragers and make more manageable. My 2 cents, Waldemar -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---