If bees are bearded on front of bottom box and hanging from bottom board is it ok to inspect? Do you smoke a entrance or just smoke going in top?
I smoke like I would if they weren't bearding.
Same here but I usually smoke from the rear oh the hive by pulling out the oil tray drawer.
Jim
Jim, I do the same. At least the ones that have a screen bottom. The ones with solid bottoms, I just crack open the inner cover a little and smoke them there. Then let them settle a while before going back in. I typically smoke two or three hives ahead of the one I'm working on.
Thanks iddee an jim.
Home today humidity isn't as bad as we've had 60% now.
Didn't know if bee fanning outside would get agitated once air flow started after opening top.
Thanks for quick reply!
Cao an Jim thanks.
I don't use screened bottoms.
After my first season, having bought a bee smoker, I've never use it since.
I just go gently and swiftly along with my vented full suit on. No issue so far!
And the smoker still look brand new after using it a couple of time.
Don't have as many hives as I have had, I have not seen bees bearding on the entrance since I have all DSBB unless the hive is full. When my nephew and I had 120 hives we used all commercial hives and bearding was common on hot afternoons. When I see a beard on a hive usually they are telling me that they need another box. I noticed a large beard on a swarm trap that had been there about three weeks in a 5 frame trap, no screen bottom, or screen vent hole in bottom. moved them to a 10 frame and no beard since. Since bees have a country mindset they may just like to sit on the front porch when its hot.
My vents are all to the rear (pix attached) and even now (winter) not
wholly propolised so it is a good puff to wake 'em I am coming, to then
crack the migratory lid wuth the hive tool, twist it sideways to rest the
lid on it at a 40mm gap and then smoke gently across the frames.
Whip the lid off as they settle.
Bill
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