My first hive expection, a lot of bees flying around, is that right?

[jeremy_c]

I am curious, I did my first hive inspection yesterday to make sure the queen was released from her cage OK on my two hives. I smoked them but many (a lot more than I was expecting) were flying around. I managed to do the install of my bees w/o veil or gloves but I was unsure of what to expect w/the first inspection so I wore my veil. I'm glad I did.

Does this video look normal in regards to the number of bees flying around during an inspection or did I not use the smoker correctly or something else? It was about 75 degrees, 3:30pm, light breeze.

http://jeremy.lifewithchrist.org/permalink/48040.html

Thanks

Jeremy

[Doby45]

Looked like they were doing just fine.  You on the other hand were moving slower than a neurosurgeon.  :lol:

[doak]

Because of slow dial up I cannot do your video.
First, Puff 2 to 4 good puffs in the entrance.
crack the top cover with your hive tool and 3or4 puffs through the crack.
wait a few seconds, 30-45, then remove the top and aim the smoker spout toward the space between the frames, couple puffs. You are going to get some fly a rounds.
Always wear your veil. A sting in or around the eye is not pretty.
In the throat or nose is even worse. No gloves is O.K., If you have arthritis in the hand it can even help it.

Don't think I have noticed this suggestion before, But try not to work your colonies when there is
an electrical storm around. My bees don't like static electricity, don't know about anyone else.

Another tip.
Make sure your smoker is packed tight enough so it doesn't blaze up when it is pumped and hunt for a material that produces "cool" smoke.
As long as you don't change the slow movement to fast jerky motions.
:)doak

[Kathyp]

i thought they looked fine.  you may  have over smoked them a bit, but you'll figure that out as you go.  couple of small points that might save you later.  if the queen cage in that first hive was empty, get it out.  they will build comb around it and make a mess.  get in the habit of putting the frames back where you found them unless you are going to swap them intentionally. 

also, watch putting stuff on the ground.  great way to get bees up the pant leg...and i am sharing that with you from experience!!  :-)

oh ya....make sure you push the frames together tightly.  otherwise, you'll get crazy comb.  just push frames 1 and 10 toward each other when you are done to make sure they are all tight and toward the middle of the box.

[the kid]

looked like a good strong starter hive . the girls I seen in the air are the norm,, have had a lot more in the air ...  when I head out to the hives my one boy ,, says ""  here comes the bull ""..  He says , when  I work the hive I'm like a bull in a china shop ...""
The one thing that I did see on the video was ,,  you tip the smoker almost upside down  ,,  careful that some of your embers don't fall out into the hive and start the wax on fire .. fire in the hive is a  no  no ..  Don't know what fuel you use but  ,, some fuels like pellets fall out if tipped to much ..  would hate to hear your hive caught on fire ...  
just remember ,,,,  the girls are very forgiving ,,,  few things done as a newbee realy hurt the hive  as much as you think ..  and they end up doing ,,,, what they want ,, when they want .. just have fun and learn as you go ...

[tlynn]

You definitely want to be careful about how close you put the business end of the smoker to the bees.  If you're pumping the smoker a lot and have it right on the frames you can blow very hot or even firey air into the bees - not good.  I didn't realize once I got a fire going in the smoker by trying to get it alive again and I blew out some fire and scorched a bunch of bee wings.  Needless to say I felt pretty lousy about that.

What works great for me is when I get ready to inspect I set up the smoker first, then go over and give them a few puffs in the entrance and then go suit up.  That few minutes gives everybody time to get the message and start chowing on honey before I bust into them.  I find the hives are much calmer with this way.  And I generally don't smoke them again unless I will be in them for longer than a super check.  And if I do just a puff or two.  You can oversmoke them.  In the beginning I was nervous and thought just about any flying was aggressive behavior and I kept smoking them.

Also Kathy mentioned bees up your pants legs.  It's quite a surprise the first time that happens!  Go find some velcro and close them up.  I wear boots and velcro around the boot tops.  Oh, and don't buy black or red.  Get white or tan.  I make sure I always protect my head and ankles.  Either place for me to take a sting is really unpleasant because I swell up so much.

[jojoroxx]

I do love all the videos on YouTube where people install the packages, or work their bees, sans veil/gloves.   :shock: I had my husband so (un) attired last year when we installed packages and one feeder can that was STUCK,  really got them overly riled - sadly he took a stinger on on the lip!! :-P ouch! So, in general, while the bees are being installed they are in (calm) swarming mode, with nothing to protect.

BUT -Once those bees get settled in the hive they have a whole lot more at stake and aren't in such a cooperative mood! You will get used to being bombarded by guards, and their comrades.

Some folks recommend using a very light (1-2) sugar syrup in a spray bottle (even in lieu of smoke!)  When the bees are misted (gently) 1.they are less able to fly and 2. they immediately busy themselves with grooming one another. They do seem to enjoy it, and it tends to reduce all the flying around which can get unnerving, but I have a bit of an ant problem so I must be very careful using the sugar spray and be sure to clean up everywhere (outside of boxes especially) real good when I am through...

good luck!

Why he now requests a veil: