I just installed a 4 lb package last Wednesday, of Russian Carniolan hybrids. Install went smoothly. I put them on old comb I had from last year, and gave them a frame of capped honey. They took a gallon of syrup in 2 days.
The problem is when I get within 10 feet of the hive I'll have a couple bees in my face, and if stand around long enough, I get stung. The defending bees will even follow me until I am well out of site of the hive.
This is my second year, and second hive so I don't have much to compare to. The Italians I had last year were really mellow. The only time I'd get stung would be if I did something wrong or stupid.
This is a big problem for me because I have a small backyard, and I need to be able to use it without getting stung all the time.
I know I can requeen if they don't eventually calm down, but how long after requeening would it take for the hive to change its demeanor? I don't think I can survive a several month process while the old bees are replaced by bees from the new queen.
The problem is when I get within 10 feet of the hive I'll have a couple bees in my face, and if stand around long enough, I get stung. The defending bees will even follow me until I am well out of site of the hive.
This is my second year, and second hive so I don't have much to compare to. The Italians I had last year were really mellow. The only time I'd get stung would be if I did something wrong or stupid.
This is a big problem for me because I have a small backyard, and I need to be able to use it without getting stung all the time.
I know I can requeen if they don't eventually calm down, but how long after requeening would it take for the hive to change its demeanor? I don't think I can survive a several month process while the old bees are replaced by bees from the new queen.