Installing Buckfast Queens While Getting Attacked!

Beekeeping isn't always sunshine and calm flights, especially when the temperature drops into the 60s. In this video, I am heading out to the apiary to install my new Buckfast queens, but the resident bees are not making it easy! Since most of the foragers are stuck inside due to the weather, the hives are extra defensive and ready to protect their home. I will walk you through the entire process of queen installation, from checking for existing laying queens to wedging the queen cages safely between the frames. You will see firsthand why smoke is a beekeeper's best friend and what happens when you get stung right at the start of a job. We also take a look at the color-coding system for marking queens and discuss why genetics matter for hive temperament and productivity. Stick around until the end to see a last-minute decision to create a hive split using a swarm trap. It was a bit of a gamble playing Where's Waldo with the queens while being swarmed, but I might just end up with five hives this season instead of four! Chapters: 0:00 Grumpy bees and cold weather 1:15 Why the hives are so aggressive 2:45 Installing the first Buckfast queen 4:10 Managing the second angry hive 5:42 Queen genetics and hive temperament 7:18 Making a surprise hive split 8:40 Reassembling and feeding for success If you enjoyed this look into the chaotic side of beekeeping, please like the video and subscribe for more hive updates. Let me know in the comments how you handle aggressive hives during your inspections! #Beekeeping #HoneyBees #InstallingaQueenBee #BuckfastQueens #QueenBeeMarking #BeeHiveInspection #SplittingaBeehive #AggressiveBeeBehavior #Howtoinstallaqueenbee #Beestingprevention #Smokingabeehive #Findingthequeenbee #BackyardBeekeeping #QueenBeeRelease #Beehivesplittutorial #QueenCageFondant #BeekeepingforBeginners #MarkingQueenBees #BeeHiveManagement #MeanBeesColdWeather