The bees were angry today. They attacked. They followed. They found the gaps around my shoes and stung my feet. They stung through my gloves. They were cross.
Hungry bees are angry bees. The bees are hungry so I'm feeding them.
There may be other reasons for them being so defensive.
- I haven't been using smoke. That's because I want to do very quick peeks rather than full inspections. The colonies on the roof are small so it doesn't take long. Smoke makes them gorge on stored honey so it may be for the best during a dearth of honey to avoid smoke.
- Two of the colonies are from feral stock. The other is from an unknown source. I've no idea what their behaviour will be like when they're well established. I haven't heard anyone say that feral stock is more likely to be defensive but it wouldn't surprise me.
- I might just be inexperienced.
Whatever the reason for them being angry, it is unnerving when they start to attack. I don't stop but I do make mistakes. Sometimes I have to walk away for a bit.