Day 3 for a new hive checking the Queen

FlexMedia.tv · May 21, 2016, 08:54:50 PM

I have to keep these Freshman like questions coming if you don't mind!

I just installed my package bees and in 3 days (tomorrow) I'll check to see if the Queen was released. One of the books I'm learning from says to just check the Queen, remove the box and do nothing else. It didn't say anything about using my smoker. I don't think I would need to use a smoker for this inspection, do I?
Thanks,
Art

TALittle · May 21, 2016, 09:50:27 PM

It is up to you, but being a novice I would light it, test the smoke heat, and give them a couple of puffs in the door. Wait a couple of min, then open the hive.

It is experience lighting it and testing the heat of the smoke.
You get to see how your bees react to it.
Plus you have it ready and lit should you need it while checking them.

Again, I dont even have a hive or bee's yet. So my statements are based on what I have read so far and what I would do. Everyone is welcome to correct me. lol

SlickMick · May 21, 2016, 11:56:31 PM

I aLways light mine even if it is just to give a puff at the entrance.

Mick

FlexMedia.tv · May 22, 2016, 12:19:42 AM

I probably should. I have only used my smoker once and that was to practice lighting it.

cao · May 22, 2016, 01:12:00 AM

It's always better to have it and not need it than the other way around.

sc-bee · May 22, 2016, 02:36:15 AM

Yes light the smoker....always. And always at least wear a veil.

SlickMick · May 22, 2016, 05:30:22 AM

Yes Sc-bee, I would hate to be stung on the eyeball

Mick

Acebird · May 22, 2016, 09:45:26 AM

Avoid getting stung in the face because it makes it harder to close up the hive when you are frantic.

FlexMedia.tv · May 22, 2016, 09:49:08 AM

Ok, smoke it is! I have a what if tho..I live 45 minutes from my hives. What if the Queens are still in their boxes?

cao · May 22, 2016, 10:16:35 AM

If the bees are acting friendly to her pull the screen off and direct release her. Odds are they will have released her aready.

FlexMedia.tv · May 22, 2016, 01:13:50 PM

Great!
I'll try that here in a few hours
Thanks,
Art

sc-bee · May 22, 2016, 07:02:34 PM

Quote from: FlexMedia.tv on May 22, 2016, 09:49:08 AM
Ok, smoke it is! I have a what if tho..I live 45 minutes from my hives. What if the Queens are still in their boxes?

Does not mean you have to smoke....just have it ready

FlexMedia.tv · May 23, 2016, 12:09:05 AM

I smoked them a little... :-)

They have started cells that look like this:

http://beekeeper.flexmedia.tv/2016/05/23/3-day-queen-inspection-goes-well/

Another video checking to see if the queen was released:

cao · May 23, 2016, 01:40:59 AM

Nice video. I only have one suggestion. Personally it makes me cringe when I see someone pull a frame straight up from the middle. It's much easier on the bees to remove an outside frame first then slide the others over to give you more room. It was easy removing that frame now. Once they seal everything with propolis and have the comb fully drawn out, it won't be as easy and you will be rolling a lot of bees when you pull a middle frame straight up.

In your picture:
The dark stuff in the comb is pollen. The clear stuff is ether sugar water or nectar. The clump was probably a bit of burr comb. That was where the queen cage was hanging, right?

FlexMedia.tv · May 23, 2016, 05:51:07 AM

I never knew that. That's a good tip! Yes, that's where the cage was.
Thanks!

Acebird · May 23, 2016, 08:33:08 AM

Made me cringe too. I was also saying to myself put it back now, put it back. Queens don't like light. If you are looking to see if the queen is released just look at the cage. No need to find the queen. A package is delicate. It is a race against time to get established. A nuc on the other hand is established so you can mess with the nuc more than a package.

FlexMedia.tv · May 23, 2016, 10:14:26 AM

The things books don't tell you! I didn't know she was sensitive to light. I wanted to put my eyes on her cuz she cost a lot of money!

So next week (week 2) I won't open it, I'll just make sure the feeders are full. Week 3 I'll look for brood, eggs and open larvae?

Thanks for the help. Sorry about the cringe thing!
Art

KeyLargoBees · May 23, 2016, 05:15:10 PM

Also unless you have a known allergy....you might as well get used to some stings on the hands because once they are established and you are dealing with propolis and the natural progression of everything in the hive being glued together those gloves are goign to make things very difficult to work.

Its nice to have em if the bees get pissy or if you are doing a removal and the temperament of the bees is an unknown but I usually try and work the hives without them....you will be amazed how much easier it is to handle frames and do all the little things without those on.

FlexMedia.tv · May 23, 2016, 11:13:33 PM

(I did the first hive with no gloves, and installed the queens with no gloves.) I just have to figure where my comfort zone is. *Grin!*

SlickMick · May 24, 2016, 09:23:58 AM

I have not used gloves for years and if I am to be stung it will be on the thumb and/or index finger as I am attempting to lift a frame. I have Parkinson's disease so I get somewhat shakey as I attempt to free the frame and this is usually when I get hit.

I have now bought a frame lifter, free each end with my hive tool and use the lifter to ease the frame from the box. Works a treat😀

Mick