newbeekincolo
08-20-2006, 11:24 PM
started an ob hive close to a month ago.Two queens emerged and as luck would have it, conquering queen had a bad wing and was incapable of flying in order to mate.Anyhow put a mated queen in hive in queen cage. took workers approx. 2 1/2 days to chew thru candy plug, at which time workers were still pretty clingy to queen cage.Queen seemed to sense impending hostility and remained in cage for about 1/2 day. Workers would come and go investigating her, but didnt seem to be a lot of hostility toward her inside of queen cage,although it would get quite crowded in there at times.Just so happened i walked by hive at the very moment she got up enough courage to venture out and I got to witness what I was certain would ultimately be the dethroning of the queen. To say they were extremely hostile toward her would be putting it mildly. They made a cluster biting and stinging at her that I was sure would not let go until she was history.I was trying to decide what other options I had with this nuc. this late in the year, another queen, another frame of eggs, empty bees into another hive?Went to search for remains of queen later that night when I noticed the lethal cluster was near door opening of ob. hive.I decide to stick a small wire thru crack to see if I could break up cluster enough to see if she was possibly still alive. To my surprise the wire caused them to disperse quite quickly, at which time, also to my surprise she wasted no time getting the flock out of there, if you know what I mean.It didnt take long and several determined pursuers tracked her down and immediately re-attached in a fashion that would make a varroa mite jealous.In no time at all the cluster was just as big and just as tight as previously, but this time on the other side of the frames where my attempts at a possible rescue and retrieval were next to none.It was no small task getting my wife to allow bees inside, and I was fully aware of what consequences might be upon accidental release of angry workers who already had mutiny on their mind.But I couldnt just stand there separated only by a pane of glass and pretend I didnt see what was taking place on the other side.Then finally it came to me like a vision, there was a way to possibly get them to listen to me inspite of the fact they had consistently ignored my pleadings and yearnings, to please free the queen.My tool as a negotiator to get them to listen and release the hostage which they now held bound was of course a hair dryer. I was amazed at the leverage my newfound bargaining tool had given me, and in no time at all had convinced all involved, to go and find some other form of recreation other than dog piling on her royal highnesses back.But then reality set in, sure I had once again freed her, but what was I going to do?Sit up all night hair dryer in hand ready to liberate her from the next, and the next, band of thugs waiting just around the corner of each frame,or perhaps in the hive top feeder.My rescue attempts no matter how noble they may have been had all probably been in vain.I felt quite certain I would awake in the morning only to find her royal highness had been beaten and then thrown out the front door and left for dead as is the common practice in this particular establishment.But to my surprise, and sheer delight, when I checked on things this morning not only was she alive, but she was being treated with the respect of which a bee of her stature had ought to be treated.That is by all but a few, there are still some reguadless of the general concensus to accept her as the new leading lady, who will when given the opportunity, jump on her back,bite,sting at,as well as many other mean and vile practices. What Im wondering is, have any of the rest of you observed similar behavior in your ob. hives??Will the hazing and harrasment ever end? Or will this classy gal get sick of all the abuse and go find somewhere else to live??? Any thoughts greatly appreciated. sincerely, squire doug