Got attacked by a swarm of bees today!

[Zee_Bass]

I was playing around with RTH accuracy just a bit ago while my daughter swam and I realized the MA2 had a swarm of bees around it! Has anyone experienced this before?

I did not expect to see what I did once my drone landed.

Here are a few pics. After reviewing the SD card you can clearly see them swarming it. I didn't know what to do but land asap.

 

[mrjohnc1]

LOL....time for a bath! Looks like it took a few stings!? ? ??

 

[GadgetGuy]

I was playing around with RTH accuracy just a bit ago while my daughter swam and I realized the MA2 had a swarm of bees around it! Has anyone experienced this before?

I did not expect to see what I did once my drone landed.

Here are a few pics. After reviewing the SD card you can clearly see them swarming it. I didn't no what to do but land asap.

There is a YT video of a guy using a Mavic Pro to destroy a wasp nest under the eaves of his two story house, by using it as a chainsaw, to cut into, and slowly chew up the hive! Works well!

 

[aokusman]

There is a YT video of a guy using a Mavic Pro to destroy a wasp nest under the eaves of his two story house, by using it as a chainsaw, to cut into, and slowly chew up the hive! Works well!

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Zee_Bass]

LOL....time for a bath! Looks like it took a few stings!? ? ??

Just about got it cleaned up. Props came back perfect after scrubbing with some IPA.

Edit: Isopropyl alcohol not
Indian pale ale lol

 

[WobblingWillie]

They were probably yellow jackets. They swarm and attack if agitated for any reason.

 

[Zee_Bass]

They were probably yellow jackets. They swarm and attack if agitated for any reason.

They appear to be honey bees. Literally the last bee I would ever want to harm.

 

[DavidT_ NZ]

I was playing around with RTH accuracy just a bit ago while my daughter swam and I realized the MA2 had a swarm of bees around it! Has anyone experienced this before?

I did not expect to see what I did once my drone landed.

Here are a few pics. After reviewing the SD card you can clearly see them swarming it. I didn't no what to do but land asap.

Tell them to buzz off! Can you post a photo of the swarm? Quite a tale for your Pilot’s Log! Lucky that it was not a bird strike.

 

[Zee_Bass]

Tell them to buzz off! Can you post a photo of the swarm? Quite a tale for your Pilot’s Log! Lucky that it was not a bird strike.

I'll put a video up as soon as I get a chance!

 

[burkesdale]

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[Northwood Mediaworks]

Sad because honey bees are in danger of extinction, and their role in ecology is actually massive. However, they must have perceived your Air2 as a threat. Wasps on the other hand, start your motors!!!!

 

[Zee_Bass]

Sad because honey bees are in danger of extinction, and their role in ecology is actually massive. However, they must have perceived your Air2 as a threat. Wasps on the other hand, start your motors!!!!

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Bob1956]

Maybe use the same exit plan as for raptors: zoom straight up for 50-100 feet. Then sport mode to haul arse out of there. I would also take the long way home, just in case the bees or wasps were chasing the drone. Honey bees are indeed wonderful but I wouldn't invite them to my house.

 

[whareable]

Bees can sense and be confused by UV light and Ultrasonic sound, possibly the sensors had something to do with there confusion

 

[DavidT_ NZ]

Bees can sense and be confused by UV light and Ultrasonic sound, possibly the sensors had something to do with there confusion

I had one come and sit on my hand today whilst using my Nikon DSLR on a tripod. Bees - best friends with our gardens!

 

[Ogsimmons]

I was playing around with RTH accuracy just a bit ago while my daughter swam and I realized the MA2 had a swarm of bees around it! Has anyone experienced this before?

I did not expect to see what I did once my drone landed.

Here are a few pics. After reviewing the SD card you can clearly see them swarming it. I didn't no what to do but land asap.

That is amazing! Looks like those props took some damage. Did you replace them? A new meaning to prop wash. LOL

 

[Ex nihil]

I keep both bees and a Mavik 2. Pretty sure they are not honey bees because bees just don't behave like that. I'd love to inspect the debris on the hull. I strongly suspect another insect, an actual bee swarm won't attack anything, their minds are on other things and they become very docile. Also, a bit too high up and you would have seen them from where you were. Might conceivably have been a queen mating flight that you accidently flew into, it's the right time of year, but unlikely. If it was a mating flight, then, provided you didn't mince the queen herself up, all you killed were drones, real six legged type drones. Only boys; no ladies hurt in making this film and it all ended happily. In the hive they are still talking about it as a drone attack though. If you did kill the queen, the girls back home will raise another one in a couple of weeks but the boys went home home disappointed.

 

[Air_Deo]

Wow, how did you get your drone so dirty like that lol.

 

[Hambone57]

Happens to me a lot. They are definitely Honey bees.

 

[Zee_Bass]

I keep both bees and a Mavik 2. Pretty sure they are not honey bees because bees just don't behave like that. I'd love to inspect the debris on the hull. I strongly suspect another insect, an actual bee swarm won't attack anything, their minds are on other things and they become very docile. Also, a bit too high up and you would have seen them from where you were. Might conceivably have been a queen mating flight that you accidently flew into, it's the right time of year, but unlikely. If it was a mating flight, then, provided you didn't mince the queen herself up, all you killed were drones, real six legged type drones. Only boys; no ladies hurt in making this film and it all ended happily. In the hive they are still talking about it as a drone attack though. If you did kill the queen, the girls back home will raise another one in a couple of weeks but the boys went home home disappointed.

After I landed I ended up seeing a bunch of bees all over my drive way. I swept them up in a pile. I read somewhere else about the possibility of mating.