Carniolan bees are one of the most popular types of bees in North America. They hold several positive characteristics, such as being excellent honey producers, withstanding cold climates, and controlling the spread of diseases.
One of the few drawbacks of owning a Carniolan beehive is its aggression potential. Although the bee species is relatively gentle, it’s not as laid back as the Italian honey bees.
That said, their temper can stem from various factors, such as being queenless, genetic disposition, or warm weather.
Fortunately, you can control their aggressive temperament with a few puffs of smoke. Stick around to learn more about Carniolan bees’ aggression.
Carniolan Bee Temperament: Overview
Carniolan bees are relatively aggressive compared to other breeds, like the Italian strain of bees. Nevertheless, several accounts have shown that Carniolan bees can be gentle, especially when treated with smoke.
Why Carniolan Bees Might Be Aggressive
Carniolan bees aren’t usually as aggressive as Africanised strains nor as calm as Italian bees. They fall in the middle, but some factors can affect their aggression levels, from climatic conditions to beekeeper intervention.
Not Using a Smoker
Bees release an alarm pheromone when feeling threatened. A smoker eases those pheromones and calms the bees, allowing beekeepers more liberty with harvesting the honey or inspecting the hive.
If you open your Carniolan honey bee’s hive and hear a loud humming sound, that’s a sign to use the smoker. Otherwise, it’s sting city for you.
That said, too much or too little smoke can irritate the Carniolan bees. As a good rule of thumb, two to three puffs after opening the hive are sufficient. Then, leave the bees for ten minutes to soak in the smoke before reopening their home.
Genetics
Although Carniolan bees aren’t genetically dispositioned to over-aggression, some hives may pick up on that trait more than others.
A hive may start calm before developing hostility throughout the seasons. The trait can develop after your Carniolan bee species swarm and create a new queen.
You likely won’t be in control of the drone she chooses to mate with. They can come from an aggressive bee line, resulting in a fierce future hive.
Novice Beekeeping
As a new beekeeper, your first go-around won’t be perfect. You’ll likely want to finish the job as fast as you can. Subsequently, your movements may become too rapid. When taking out the hive’s frame, you’ll likely squash a few bees.
If a bee stings you, you’ll likely jerk the stung area around. To you, you’re flailing around in pain, but to the Carniolan bees, you’re attacking them, engaging their defensive behavior.
In turn, beekeeping with Carniolan species is best left for professionals that can use steady, practiced movements.
Warm Climate
Carniolan bees are more adept to cold winters than hot and humid environments. In turn, warm weather can mess with their mood and make them more susceptible to aggression.
Honey production isn’t as organized, leaving them with fewer supplies due to hot weather and poor foraging conditions.
Hive Location
Before placing your Carniolan hive, consider the surrounding region. If it’s frequented by wildlife, then try to find a different location. When animals come near the hive, your bees will remain on alert and release more alarm pheromones.
A quiet, serene space for your bees is ideal. Plus, when you approach the hive, you don’t want to come from the front entrance. Instead, go from the back to become less of a threat.
Another location requirement to consider is shade. Carniolan bees aren’t as well-equipped for the heat as other strains. In turn, you can keep the hive near a tree.
Unclean Bee Suit
Forgetting to do your laundry can cost you a few stings. When visiting your hive, you’ll likely receive a few welcome stings that are filled with alarm pheromones. Leaving the stings unwashed could misguide the bees into a frenzy when they sense your unwashed, pheromone-rich presence.
As you approach the beehive, without even opening it, they’ll be already humming inside. In turn, you’ll want to keep your beekeeping suit washed before you consider opening the hive and facing your Carniolan bees.
No Queen
The absence of a queen bee can spell trouble for your Carniolan hive’s temperament. Adult queens release critical pheromones that regulate and unify the hive’s day-to-day. The worker population becomes restless.
You can tell your hive is queenless from several observations. For example, your bee population could drop, and brood production becomes nonexistent. Another factor worth considering is the appearance of queen cells.
Now, this doesn’t imply your hive is queenless, particularly if you still see ongoing brood production. That said, if you don’t see a brood but notice queen cells, your Carniolan honey bees are likely creating a queen bee.
Why Aggression Can Be Good
Aggression in bees can implicate exceptional honey and nectar production. Plus, it ensures maximum hive pest control. You won’t have to deal with as much disease spread, particularly during swarming, which is common with Carniolan bees.
Another positive is that aggressive behavior in bees exhibits hardiness, especially during winter. In turn, your hive has better chances of survival, and you’ll reap higher honey stores.
Why Aggression Can Be Bad
If your Carniolan bees are a cranky bunch, you’ll have more trouble during hive inspections and honey harvesting.
For this reason, we don’t recommend owning a Carniolan beehive if you’re a beginner beekeeper. Otherwise, you’ll get stung more often when accidentally mishandling the colonies.
Final Thoughts
Are Carniolan bees aggressive? In short, they can be when propelled by external factors like a warm climate, an absent queen, and inadequate smoke. Subsequently, Carniolan bees are better suited for experienced beekeepers.
The latter’s steady and precise movements will limit aggression. That said, you can also prevent the spread of alarm pheromones, which signal an attack, by using a smoking device.
Overall, Carniolan bees’ aggression can offer benefits, such as excellent pest resistance, high honey production, increased nectar availability, and hardiness during winter.
Being an avid bee enthusiast, I know the importance bees have on our climate and planet. That is why I try to educate others about bees, how they survive, and how we can make their lives easier through the process of beekeeping.
I also ensure that the colonies on the farm are protected at all times.
- Does Bleach Kill Bees? - April 23, 2024
- How Do I Get Rid of Ants Without Harming Bees? - April 16, 2024
- Do Bug Zappers Kill Bees? Completely Explained - April 9, 2024