Gentleness of bees

[doak]

This is my first poll. Hope it is right.

Do my bees get more aggressive as the queen gets older? yes. :)doak

[G3farms]

never really noticed it to say the truth.

I have a bee tree stump in the yard and took a chain saw to it the other day to trim it up so that I could close it off for the winter and the bees were so gentle it was unreal, not even a single head butt. Made about six cuts all the way through it on the top and side where the top and a limb had broken out. Nailed a couple of boards across it to close it up and a shingle for a roof. they still have a knot hole for a entrance.

G3

[Scadsobees]

I'd say yes and no.  Depending on her genetics and also what drones she mated with.  I'd guess it is possible for her to use up a particular drone's genetics before starting on the next one, triggering a change in temperament.

Or perhaps she just gets crotchety with age and then the worker bees get cranky having to work around the old hag. 

[Shawn]

Cant really say. I think mine are the same, MEAN! All three hives have requeened themselves this year and I did not see a difference. One hive is hotter than the other two. 1 hive seems weaker or at least they dont klike to build like the other two. I think mine really depends on what is going on and what the weather is doing.

[doak]

Looks like the poll contradicts what I have read in most all the books on beekeeping.
Most all stress that one of the points of re queening is to have a young queen, which will have stronger pheromones, which plays a part in the gentleness of the workers.
Of course I understand the fact that some of the gentleness also comes from genes. 
What am I missing?

My Mother always told me I couldn't have the whole pie.
doak