New beekeeper question RE inspections

[jester7891]

Today I am one week into being a beekeeper and I will be opening the hives for the first time this weekend. I have been reading my books (and watching the questions in this chat room) to make sure that I do what I am supposed to do and have come up with a question for the future.  Once the bees have filled up seven of the 10 frames in the brood chamber, I will add the next super.  So this is my question.  When I go back to inspect frames later on, I now have 20 frames to look at.  How do I get to the bottom 10 frames?  Do I take the upper super off (this doesn’t sound right as it seems that I would be dismantling the hive too much) to look at the bottom 10 frames?  Do I just look at the top ten frames?  Just trying to think ahead. 

            Thanks.   Jester

[JP]

First off, love the avatar, Marty Feldman, correct?

Once you have them in two boxes, after a little smoke, yes, you take the top box, move it aside, check the bottom box, and when done, put things back as they were.

Its not as disruptive as you think, as long as you don't go nuts in there lingereing for an extended period, but then again, the bees will just get back to business anyway.

In time you will see that you don't always have to go through both boxes completely. You will go in, do a once over to make sure things are in order, and then move on.

Have fun!


...JP

[KONASDAD]

use the search engine for "First time inspections" A forum member has an awesome blog expressly w/ a new added feature-first time inspections. I have forwarded it to many new beeks. It is great. I could do no better than direct you to site.

[JP]

use the search engine for "First time inspections" A forum member has an awesome blog expressly w/ a new added feature-first time inspections. I have forwarded it to many new beeks. It is great. I could do no better than direct you to site.

Konas, do you mean this person? Linda?

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2008/04/whats-involved-in-hive-inspection.html


...JP

[Kathyp]

with a little experience, you'll find that you don't need to go through every frame in every hive, every time.  you'll be able to judge pretty well how your hive is doing by checking the top box and taking a peak down into the bottom box.  flashlight.

three time i got thorough everything for sure.  1. going into fall.  checking for adequate stores and anything that needs attention before winter  2.  spring.  checking for stores. cleaning bottom board.  3.  late spring/early summer before i super for honey. 

other times i'll check if i have some indication that things are not as they should be.  most of the time i pull a few frames and if the bees look good and there is brood, that's as far as i go.

[Understudy]

First off, love the avatar, Marty Feldman, correct?


Have fun!


...JP

Hump? What Hump?

You look at the lower box by removing the upper box. You don't have to do that every time you inspect.
Look in your hive about twice a month. If you have a hive that seems to e of concern you may want to look more frequently.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[acbs]

Jester,

Enjoy your bees!  This is supposed to be fun!  I would advise you not to be afraid of looking or getting into your hives.  I pulled a frame or frames out sometimes more that twice a week when we first got our hives 5 years ago and lifted the lids almost daily.  I'm not saying you should not be concerned or that you should go out and play with them and your frames like building blocks or Lincoln logs, it needs to be done responsibly.  But, you can read and watch and talk (and these are all necessary and beneficial) yet never learn as much as you will by getting your hands and eyes in there getting propolis on your fingers, chewing on some nectar filled burr comb, and stung a few times in the process.  Most of the big things we all do similarly, but the little things are another story.  Heck, there's some of us that don't even agree on the big things.  There will be some that won't agree with this post.  Independent, opinionated, hard-headed, and stubborn appear to be only some of the qualifications on the application to be a beekeeper.  That's why we get along even though we disagree, we all have so much in common. :)   
Get to know your bees in your hives in your location and develop your own method that works best for you.  Keep learning and remember "Marty", "This is supposed to be fun!!"

Arvin