I just finished my first inspection. This is their 6th day. Found eggs and queen. (It didn't look like a queen but she had paint on the thorax, and she was supposed to be marked)
They had built quite a bit of comb. They had even started an entire new comb between the frames that encompassed the queen cage. This, of course, makes me wish I had gone in a couple days earlier (like some in here suggested).
My question for today is, when do I open up the screened bottom board? It said to have it closed with a new package of bees. It would seem that opening it up would get some air circulating and help remove traces of smoke left over from my smoker.
Nighttime lows are running around 50. Does it bother the bees to be opening the screen when it is warm/hot during the day, and closing it at night when it's cool? Or do you leave it alone?
Personally I leave them closed until I see bee beards from the heat. That's another month or two away here.
Thanks for the advice.
One thing is becoming obvious to me quickly - there is a diverse set of opinions on how to "beekeep" on nearly every subject.
I had been told to keep the bottom board open all year-round.
I leave mine open year round. The only time they are closed is when I have a sticky board in to count mites. The first winter I had screen bottom boards, I closed them up for the winter, but since then have left them open. Haven't seen any difference one way or another.