a mean little hive

[Becky Hampton]

I'd like some advise on this. I've got 3 hives and one of them is a good bit more aggressive than the other 2. This was a new package hive that I started in April. It is amazingly prolific. I've got 4 overflowing medium supers on it and took 7 frames of honey from it last week. ( I know - you're not supposed to take honey the first year, but this hive is growing like crazy and I need to get them in check.) Every day all summer they've had 200-300 bees lined up in straight rows outside the hive in almost military formation. I don't look forward to going into this hive and have resorted to wearing thick oversize heavy jacket and pants under my beekeeping suit because they sting me through my suit every time I go in. I got stung 5 times through my beekeeping suit last time I went in. (I washed my suit afterwards to get rid of the attack pheremones.) I really don't think they're Africanized based on what I've heard and read about that. They're just very defensive and willing to send the kamikazes after me.
I've considered doing the following. I know I need to requeen to change the genetics. (unfortunately that means going in and staying in for a while to find her.) I've thought about letting them do their thing this summer, let the hive shrink during the winter and then hope they swarm next spring at which time I could requeen with fewer bees. Of course, I might not get the quantity of honey from them if I wait until spring to do this.
I've thought about not treating them for varroa as I plan to do the other two hives and leave it up to them to make it on their own. Downside of that - varroa spreads to my other two hives that I like.
I read on the Pink Pages that if you're going to requeen, do it in the fall before Labor Day so the queen can get established and be ready for the late winter build up.
Last option - suck it up and deal with it. Appreciate the fact that they're prolific and produced great honey in their first year.
Any thoughts on dealing with a defensive hive? How about requeening in the fall vs. the spring?
Thanks!

[Wally]

How about a comment on first year honey?

The saying is "Don't expect honey the first year." NOT "Don't take honey the first year."

Take all over 50 lbs. that you can get. They can overwinter in this area on 50 lbs. A deep frame is 4.5 lb. A medium frame is 3 lb., when fully capped.

If you will contact me, I would like to come see this hive. I could then give you suggestions on aggressiveness.

[Jacobs]

I'm beginning to think that if bees are a little feisty, they may be better at surviving. I am lucky enough to have places I can move bees to if they are too feisty. If I work bees in my back yard one day, and the next day, a few bees are stinging me 30 feet or so from the hive, something has to be done. Earlier this spring, a nuc of bees that overwintered was quite mean. As soon as drones were flying, I had Stadiem come over and help me make splits. We put the original queen in a nuc and made 3 more full hives. The daughter queens have produced much nicer bees. The mother somehow did not make it. If she had, and the bees had stayed mean, I would have moved them out of the neighborhood and to a more remote location.

You should have Wally take a look at your hive. If he does see something to try, it would sure beat loosing the genetics of a good producer.

[Becky Hampton]

Wally, I'd love for you to take a look at it and give me some advice!

[Wally]

Call me. 302-2708. We can set a time.