What time of day should I inspect hives?

[cundald]

Given that it is a sunny day, in the upper 70'S -80'S and no rain in the forecast.

The hives are on the southern edge of a wooded area with some overhanging branches, thge hives are facing south southeast.

When is it the best time of the day, to inspect the hives? 

Is 5:00 pm to late?

cundald

[annette]

I was told that the very best times would be when most of the foragers are out like between 10-3, although if you are having nice warm weather later is fine also.

This is probably ideal time, but even in the evening on a nice warm day (before dark) would be fine.

[bassman1977]

I tend to agree with Annette although I would say 11-2, but I don't see anything wrong with 10-3.  I do a lot of my inspections at 5 or 5:30 pm due to when I get home from work.  Typically when the days are long, they don't mind, but as the days start to shorten, their patience for inspections this late in the evening tend to wear thin.

[rast]

 Like bassman, due to work, most of mine are done after 6 PM.
I prefer mornings due to the temp. My comfort, not the number of bees in the hive makes more difference to me. If I am comfortable I am a lot more patient and methodical.

[vermmy35]

I am getting into the habit of checking my hives between 2 and 3 pm.

[Highlandsfreedom]

Can I add to this questin??  How often can I check the hive...... Im gettin antcy..

[Michael Bush]

Between when you get home from work and dark...

[Brian D. Bray]

Between when you get home from work and dark...

...Unless its your days off, then sometime between sunrise and sunset.  I like to go into my bees when the sun is out, they are always a little calmer then, even a little wind doesn't seem to steam them much on a sunny day.  The more clouds, the more wind, the more aggressive the bees will be.

[Scadsobees]

Check them whenever you need to.  If the weather is nice they will fly until dark, any daylight hours is just fine.

Check them as often as you think that you need to.  Once a week isn't too often for a beginner, just be aware that everytime you are in there you could cause problems, so just take it easy.  It is good to get in there often to know what is happening and when.

I started out at once a week, I'm way down from that 5 or 6 years later.

Rick

[Highlandsfreedom]

Thanks I will keep the checking down to once a week   :'(

[sc-bee]

It depends on the temperament of your bees. Some days they will allow late entries and some days not. Of course you know the text book answer--- sunny, little wind etc. Some days when I just have to go I dress accordingly :shock:!

[tlynn]

Calm sunny days work best for me and the bees.  Morning, afternoon, early evening, whatever.  I haven't seen an appreciable difference in numbers of bees at home once a nice sunny day has begun.  Rick's right about our comfort - when working bees last weekend it was about 2 pm and low 90s.  We had a lot of tasks to do, and I was starting to get a bit sloppy toward the end.  10 am would have been much preferable, but not in our schedule that day.

[SlickMick]

I check mine whenever I have the time to do it. Most times they are quite happy with things.

Mick