Testing Genetics for Aggressive Hive

[brian1...@gmail.com]

Hi - I have a very defensive/aggressive hive in Alameda that I'll have to requeen, but I am wondering what's the best way to get some genetic testing done. When I went to the UC Davis website it sends me to North Carolina for mitotesting and seems to be asking for five test minimum. What is the least complicated and least expensive way to see if my hive genetics has some Africanized genetics? 

I'm on the west end of Alameda and have had problems in the past with raising new queens that turn out to be very "hot." 

Thanks, Brian

[Robin Chatham]

Were they peaceful then turned agressive? Is it queenless? Is it honeybound especially with lots excess frames of pollen? Are the frames old with rubbery almost unusable comb? Has it been swarming and virgin queen has less Pheromone intensity so they respond as though they are queenless but will settle down within  a week? 

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[Alan Pryor]

Also are there Ants? Varoa mites,

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[brian1...@gmail.com]

Hive started as split this year and became increasingly defensive as it got bigger - now, two deeps, three supers, filled with bees, very strong. Hive is not queenless or recently swarmed; it's packed with bees. Not honey/pollen bound. And no ants. 

I did reread "How to Tame a Hot Hive," which was circulated on this site earlier this year, and I will be using it with a few tweaks to requeen, hopefully next week.

Everytime I do a split or a virgin queen mates at this site, the hives seem to get more defensive, that's why I was interested in testing the genetics. I am wondering if there may be drones coming from defensive hives in the area. But that may be a futile effort because as "How to Tame a Hot Hive" notes, mitochondrial testing only tests the maternal genetic lineage. 

Thanks, Brian

[Robin Chatham]

Very interesting.  Please share your findings from the test. 

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[Danny Williamson]

How often do you open your hive? I find most of the time besides genetics is when bees become aggressive is because your not opening the hive at least once or twice a week to inspect them so they get use to you and know that your not a threat to them. Also if that wasn't the problem it was because of skunks scratching at the entrance of the hive if the hive is to close to the ground making them aggressive. 

On Fri, May 8, 2026, 12:22 PM brian1...@gmail.com <brian1...@gmail.com> wrote:

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