So I tried to go into my hive today to kill the current queen. I had to take off two supers to get to brood chamber, which is three mediums. They were already sending many bees at me by the time I took the excluder off. I took out two frames to look for queen in the top box, then had about 20 bees trying to sting my veil. I ran away to leave them sit for ten minutes. I came back to close the hive up, so I put the queen excluder back on, then tried to get one of the supers back on. Once I wedged my hive tool under it to break it loose from the other super, that sent just as many bees at me if not more. One stung me through my (cheap) suit.
What should I do in this situation? I’m going to leave them uncovered the rest of the day until evening, then put the cover back on. I have a new queen sitting in her cage. I’m not willing to do any spilt with this hive, and it’s probably too late anyway. Also, would the honey supers be safe to sit out overnight, so the bees leave them? I’ve never had a problem with wax moths or SHB. No bears around here, but a few skunks. I wouldn’t think they would be able to pull out a frame of honey, though.
I’m wondering if it would be ideal to kill off this hive (in a way that saves all the comb and everything in it) and then install a new package in the hive. Also, what do I do with the new queen? I’ve never been in this situation and would appreciate any input.
What should I do in this situation? I’m going to leave them uncovered the rest of the day until evening, then put the cover back on. I have a new queen sitting in her cage. I’m not willing to do any spilt with this hive, and it’s probably too late anyway. Also, would the honey supers be safe to sit out overnight, so the bees leave them? I’ve never had a problem with wax moths or SHB. No bears around here, but a few skunks. I wouldn’t think they would be able to pull out a frame of honey, though.
I’m wondering if it would be ideal to kill off this hive (in a way that saves all the comb and everything in it) and then install a new package in the hive. Also, what do I do with the new queen? I’ve never been in this situation and would appreciate any input.
