DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Marion County Beekeepers
  HTML https://mcarbees.createaforum.com
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       *****************************************************
   DIR Return to: Tips and Tricks
       *****************************************************
       #Post#: 3--------------------------------------------------
       Opening the hive
   DIR By: Steve Vogel
       Date: June 16, 2019, 8:49 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Honey bees are relatively manageable when the following
       conditions occur:
       The weather is fine, air temperature is about 65 degrees or
       above and there is no strong wind.
       There is good daylight and bees are flying to and from the hive.
       The following points provide a guide for opening the hive and
       examining combs:
       Stand at the side of the hive so that sunlight shines over your
       shoulders. When examining a comb, this position allows the sun
       to shine directly into the cells.  Direct 3 puffs of smoke into
       the hive entrance so that the smoke circulates inside the hive.
       Never open a hive unless smoke has been applied.
       Wait about a minute for the smoke to reach its maximum effect.
       Use the hive tool to lift the cover (lid) about 20 mm (that's
       almost an inch) at one corner and direct three puffs of smoke
       over the top bars of the frames.
       Remove the lid and at the same time direct a few puffs of smoke
       between the frames.
       Use the hive tool to separate one of the side frames (next to
       the hive wall) and the adjoining frame.
       Lift the frame out of the box and stand it on end at the
       opposite front corner so that it does not block the hive
       entrance and obstruct forager bees. There is now room to
       separate the remaining frames and remove them to inspect the
       combs as necessary. Failure to separate frames will result in
       bees being rolled and crushed as each frame is lifted out of the
       box. This will cause bees to become angry.
       Apply more smoke when bees gather on the top bars of frames.
       Pull out and inspect your frames starting at one side moving
       towards the other side.  It is best to only remove one frame and
       gently move the next frame up against the frame you just
       inspected.  Keep your frames together, just the way they were
       before you removed any.  (I know, a video of this would be
       nice.)
       When a hive of two or more boxes is opened, it is best to put
       the supers on an upturned cover placed near the front of the
       hive but not directly in front of the entrance. Using the hive
       tool, lift the super about 20 mm (about one inch) at one corner
       and direct a few puffs of smoke between the two boxes and then
       remove the box.
       Reassembling and closing the hive is done in the reverse order.
       Smoke may be used to direct and move any bees that might
       otherwise be squashed when the hive lid and boxes are returned
       to their position.
       #Post#: 4--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Opening the hive
   DIR By: mcarbees
       Date: June 17, 2019, 8:33 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I had the pleasure of visiting with Steve during one of his
       inspections recently. He showed me something that, in
       retrospect, appears obvious. He stands, as he said above, to the
       sides or behind his hive boxes (away from the entrance). Instead
       of smoking through the entrance, he smoked underneath. This will
       only work if your hives have a screened bottom and are up high
       enough you can get under them with your smoker, but it does keep
       you out of the bee's normal flight path while you are working
       with them. Instead of walking up to dozens of bees flying in and
       out, all of whom have not been smoked, you come from behind the
       bees and let the smoke rise up through the bottom. It also
       seemed easier than hitting the narrow entrance gap with your
       smoker. If your hives are low or do not have a solid bottom, I
       am sure smoking the entrance will continue to work as well as it
       always has. However, if smoking from underneath is an option for
       you, it seemed far easier. Just a thought from a newbie who was
       amazed at a very simple process improvement.
       *****************************************************
       Page 1 of 1