Wasps attacking the hive.

[The Happster]

We're new to this. A bee-crazy friend gave us a hive of bees in our garden. Now the wasps are attacking the bees. Now I kind of expected this, but it doesn't make me worry any less. Our friend told us to feed them, so we did. But I'm wondering if anyone else can give us any more tips.
There are definitely less wasps (so far!) today than yesterday. I was hovering around the hive wondering if I could bash a wasp with a tiny stick, but something told me that wouldn't be very effective, so I decided to just cheer the bees on from the sidelines.
I would say there are about fifteen to twenty wasps at the moment. There aren't tons of bees I can see, but there are around the same amount protecting the entrance, with some bees charging into the hole with their little pockets. These things are so sweet.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Bees have it hard enough as it is, so it stinks that they're dealing with wasps, too.

If the attackers are yellow jackets, this publication may be helpful. Best wishes to you and your hardworking pollinators...rooting for them!

 

[The Happster]

Bees have it hard enough as it is, so it stinks that they're dealing with wasps, too.

If the attackers are yellow jackets, this publication may be helpful. Best wishes to you and your hardworking pollinators...rooting for them!

Thank you! They aren't yellow jackets. I think they're just called 'common wasps'. There are two types we get most commonly here and those match up best.

I'm so depressed for these bees. I feel like they're part of the family. Fortunately I'm not afraid of wasps, but my mother is.

It's quietened down a bit now, since it's beginning to get dark. We'll see how they are tomorrow.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Bees have it hard enough as it is, so it stinks that they're dealing with wasps, too.

If the attackers are yellow jackets, this publication may be helpful. Best wishes to you and your hardworking pollinators...rooting for them!

That helped me. We have a yellow jacket problem right now. Will have to try the flour thing.

 

[Painted Calls]

Maybe (very carefully of course) use an electric swatter and get the wasps as they come in?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Can you track the wasps back to their nest so you know where to unleash a shot of wasp spray?

Of course if spraying wasps do so at dusk or very early morning so you get most of them.

 

[The Happster]

I will probably do a bit of wasp stalking, and then drag the rest of them in to deal with the nest. That's what brothers are for.

Thank you all.

 

[Hidrainja4]

Have you reduced the entrance of the hive so the new hive can guard a smaller entrance?Feed your bees! If your queen is healthy she should be laying a thousand eggs a day. I get a lot of yellow jackets in the ground. I fine Sevin dust poured into the hole drags the dust into the hive and in a couple of days they are gone. I hope that helps .

 

[The Happster]

Have you reduced the entrance of the hive so the new hive can guard a smaller entrance?Feed your bees! If your queen is healthy she should be laying a thousand eggs a day. I get a lot of yellow jackets in the ground. I fine Sevin dust poured into the hole drags the dust into the hive and in a couple of days they are gone. I hope that helps .

Thank you! We did feed them and closed the hole a bit. It definitely seemed better after the hole was closed. Every time a wasp came near the hive some heads shot out.
It's so unfair on the bees though.
The gap is a couple of inches wide now.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Thank you! We did feed them and closed the hole a bit. It definitely seemed better after the hole was closed. Every time a wasp came near the hive some heads shot out.
It's so unfair on the bees though.
The gap is a couple of inches wide now.

Better a sad bee than a dead bee sometimes you just have to do whats best regardless of fairness.