Immediate . . Objectionable odours. 



Interruption to line of flight. 

 Undue exposure of brood nest. 

 Shaking, jarring or rough handling 



of any kind. 

 Erratic movements. 

 Crushing a bee. 



Should a colony of normally quiet bees become bad tempered 

 the reason should be sought among the various causes outlined 

 above. Having diagnosed the probable reason, suitable measures 

 can then be taken to remedy the trouble. Starvation is frequently 

 responsible for an outbreak of temper, and in good bee-keeping, a 

 colony should never be allowed to get into this condition. 



One other curious feature of seasonal changes is that the bees 

 usually seem to become more vicious in the first few days of a really 

 good nectar flow. This may possibly be due to the demand made on 

 younger bees, such as those on guard duty, for foraging purposes 

 under the influence of a heavy nectar yield. Bees of this age, it will 

 be recalled, possess their maximum efficiency of bee venom. 



A swarm that has hung out in the cold or wet for more than 

 three days is an awkward subject to tackle, for the longer it has 

 been without food the more bad tempered will the bees become. Any 

 interference with the cluster is warmly resented, and unless it can 

 be sprayed hghtly with thin syrup, a comb of food should be hung 

 in contact with it for at least a day before removal. Faihng that, the 

 only safe course of action is to don ample personal protection. Then 

 having decided what to do, the scheme should be put promptly 

 into action, working quickly but gently. The close of the day should 

 be chosen when cooler conditions minimise the incentive for the 

 bees to take wing, and having secured the swarm, it is best to hive 

 it directly over the brood chamber on to combs of food and close 

 down as soon as possible. 



Whenever possible a screen of some kind should be provided 

 between the apiary and the house, if they are in close proximity. 

 This hfts the flying bees higher, so that they will be less of a nuisance. 

 For this purpose high-growing flowering shrubs or trees are ideal, 

 or wattle fencing covered with attractive creepers. Consideration 

 should also be given to neighbours, especially if bees are kept in 

 urban or built-up areas, to see that the presence of one's bees do 

 not constitute a nuisance. Careful and adequate screening in such 

 a case is essential. This aff"ords another excellent reason for joining 

 a bee-keeper's association, for among the many advantages to be 

 gained, the insurance against third party risks such as stung neigh- 

 bours is one of the most valuable. A tactful bee-keeper, however, 

 who has neighbours nearby, may find it to his advantage to bestow 

 a pot of honey upon them once a year, thus sweetening neighbourly 

 relationships. 



40 



