We saved this beehive from a sprinkler box just a few months ago.
We brought them to our home and put them in the backyard because they were such a small hive. No one would notice this tiny baby hive in our backyard, and it wouldn't cause any problems for our neighbors.
And that's how it was for two months. They were delightful; you could go by the hive, and they weren't bothered by your presence. However, after a couple of months, we noticed that the bee colony was growing.
This is normal during the summer because there's lots of pollen and nectar, and the girls are out working long hours.
So we decided to give them another box as they started to outgrow their deep brood box. They soon filled up the medium-sized honey super we added, so we added another. We didn't know it at the time but we were creating a monster.
At this point, they started letting us know they didn't want us close to the hive. They would bonk us in the head, gently letting us know we were no longer welcome in their neighborhood. This is bad and only leads to problems. It got us thinking that this hive would have to leave our backyard.
They may get aggressive with our neighbors if they are getting aggressive with us.
As we were deciding where to put them, we had a letter in our neighbor's mailbox. They stated that our backyard has a bee problem, and that problem is affecting them.
They were going into their backyard and getting stung, and the bees were stinging their dogs. So the next day, we moved the beehive to our friend's apiary.
There are a few reasons why this happened to our bees. The combination of the desert having a heat wave for a couple of weeks and the number of resources they built up.
Of course, we're all irritable when it's hot, and the bees are no exception. We did provide shade and water for them, and their hive was never in the Vegas scorching sun, and we did everything we could to keep them cool.
However, the huge amount of honey they produced was possibly the driving factor in their warlike behavior.
They had too much to lose, and even we were seen as a threat to their honey supply. However, we've never taken any honey from them, and they were going to do everything in their honeybee power to stop it before it happened.
They are now living at our friend's apiary, an hour away from Las Vegas. We will be checking on them sometime in October to make sure they're happy where they are. The other bees that live there are doing great, and they're pleased with their home, so our bees should be in the same happy boat.
It was sad for us but essential that they were moved. We love having bees close to us, but we don't like inconveniencing our neighbors. When a hive starts sweet and turns aggressive, you can only move them to a place where they will not harm anyone and live their best lives.
You get used to your bees like they're part of your family.
Of course, there were sunny and stormy times living together, but we always try to keep the good times in our heads and hearts. We know the bees will do just fine where they're at, and we will visit them from time to time and most certainly be wearing our bee suits.
Update February 2023:
Our ladies are doing well, and winter is almost over. We expect a super bloom of wildflowers in the desert this spring, and they will be excited to gather up all the pollen and nectar. We love them so much and want them all to enjoy their happy honeybee lives.
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
We also provide top-tier beekeeping supplies, offering everything a beekeeper needs, from beginners to experts.