> > >Hi everyone, > > >I have a naturally aggressive hive, which someone has given me > >(lucky me). They seem healthy etc, but even on good days, during a > >flow and will fly off the combs and attack. It is virtually > >impossible to get through the brood box of these bees without a lot > >of trouble. They are in sharp contrast to my other bees which are > >very easy to handle. > > > >The books I have read say if a colony becomes aggressive for no > >obvious reason the then requeen it. > > > >The problem is I find I can't find the queen during my hurried and > >distracted inspections. > > > >Is there an easy way to get the old queen out, which doesn't > >involve a lot of disruption. Well, you can exchange the hive with another at a time when they are flying a lot -- during a flow. Much of the flying force of the mad bees will then be in the other hive and milder bees in the one in question. Do this with a several hives (if you have them available) several days apart, and you should be able to work them. Also consider working them at mid-day during a good flow when most of the flying bees are out and the population is lower. Regards Allen W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper VE6CFK RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0 Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask] Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>