I checked in for an inspection on Monday and left 5 minutes later, humiliated and starting to panic. I don't know if it was the black shiny new trousers I was wearing (my wet weather hiking gear - yes I'm really starting to fear those stings on the thighs!) that got the ladies all riled up, but the minute I opened the hive, I had at least 50 bees hanging in front of my body. Complete intimidation, I tell you.
It's humbling, and hard. I've not done a full, proper hive inspection since the middle of May. I sent out agonised signals for help among the "beek" community, and people have been great - really supportive. It has also helped to read of others having similar experiences with grumpy, stingy bees.
I suspect the weather is playing a huge part; we have had a miserably poor start to the summer - the worst in all of the 5 years I've been here now. It has been getting progressively worse every year, and I can feel even my own mood altering; grumpy, miserable, aching for a decent spell of sunshine and warmth.
The bees must be feeling a thousand times worse ....
So on Thursday, I crept up to the hives again very, very quietly and spent only a few minutes at each one, but managed to achieve small constructive tasks. I cleared the entrance blocks off each hive and surreptitiously added a second honey super to Itchy Knee.
Amazingly, the bees were quiet. They almost ignored me. It felt wonderful.
Then, later on, off to do a practical lesson at the Apiary. I could not believe how placid the bees were. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it quite so often - LOL!
Small steps, Margo, small steps ...
It's humbling, and hard. I've not done a full, proper hive inspection since the middle of May. I sent out agonised signals for help among the "beek" community, and people have been great - really supportive. It has also helped to read of others having similar experiences with grumpy, stingy bees.
I suspect the weather is playing a huge part; we have had a miserably poor start to the summer - the worst in all of the 5 years I've been here now. It has been getting progressively worse every year, and I can feel even my own mood altering; grumpy, miserable, aching for a decent spell of sunshine and warmth.
The bees must be feeling a thousand times worse ....
So on Thursday, I crept up to the hives again very, very quietly and spent only a few minutes at each one, but managed to achieve small constructive tasks. I cleared the entrance blocks off each hive and surreptitiously added a second honey super to Itchy Knee.
Amazingly, the bees were quiet. They almost ignored me. It felt wonderful.
Then, later on, off to do a practical lesson at the Apiary. I could not believe how placid the bees were. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it quite so often - LOL!
Small steps, Margo, small steps ...
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