Eggs - Magnifying Glass

LKBruns · April 20, 2016, 04:46:26 PM

I have a very difficult time seeing eggs and 1-3 day old larvae. I tried on a pair of cheater reading glasses at a store and really could not tell if they would help my vision or not so I decided not to get them. I tried 2x 2.5x and 3x

I am thinking about trying a lighted magnifying glass. Does anyone have a recommendation on what power magnification I need or should try?

Thanks
LB

rookie2531 · April 20, 2016, 05:13:46 PM

Are you wanting it for grafting? Or just seeing them when inspecting?
I use a lighted jewelers cap for grafting. It has 3 lenses that I can flip up or down. For general inspections, I don't use anything and eggs are easier to see for me than the 12-24 hour larvae.

KeyLargoBees · April 20, 2016, 05:58:56 PM

i use 3x cheaters for inspections....and it helps to have full sun so when you tilt the frames you see not only egg but shadow on the bottom of the cell.

Magnifying glass could be problematical in juggling the frames and then the glass...not enough hands...you might try a side table with one of those fly tying magnifiers on an adjustable arm if you want to get fancy.

LKBruns · April 20, 2016, 07:04:13 PM

I just wanted them for inspections. I started several packages and three splits. I was checking to see if the queens were laying. I wanted to know ASAP so I would know if the queens were accepted

rookie2531 · April 20, 2016, 07:53:50 PM

If you see the queen and don't see any supercedure queen cells, then she is accepted. Eggs in brand new comb is very hard to see for sure. Especially, through the mesh. Best way is like key says, full sun and play/tilt the frame. But if your eyes are bad, maybe shake the bees off and walk away and take veil off to look.

Acebird · April 20, 2016, 09:20:07 PM

I gave up looking for queens and eggs and all that. Bees are so good at what they do they don't need me looking after them. It is better I stay out of their way.
I have made horrible mistakes trying to help them. It is a good thing they can only remember for 3 days.

OldMech · April 21, 2016, 12:29:10 AM

Quote from: Acebird on April 20, 2016, 09:20:07 PM
I have made horrible mistakes trying to help them. It is a good thing they can only remember for 3 days.

LOL been there done that!

I need glasses to read now that I am getting older... but I can still see eggs.. In time you will see them as well. It has more to do with holding the frame right, with the sun over your shoulder so you can see the bottom of the cell.. Like finding the queen, it takes practice, and with time you will get better. Keep looking when you do inspections, and the "skill" will improve!!! have faith!

GSF · April 21, 2016, 08:53:19 AM

I use a jewelers visor. Get them on ebay for less than $20 to include shipping.

Michael Bush · April 21, 2016, 09:31:25 AM

Keep in mind that a nice small and bright flashlight can make all the difference in the world at finding eggs... and larvae.

Rurification · April 21, 2016, 02:49:50 PM

I could see eggs when I started 5 years ago. Now, not so much. When my daughter is there to help out, she's my eyes for eggs [even when I'm wearing my readers under the veil]. I have to say though that it is a rare thing when I really need to see eggs as opposed to larvae. If I'm seeing patches of larvae of various sizes, that usually tells me all I need to know.