Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
There should be lots of bees and built-up comb on the center frames in the box. If
you are going to look for eggs or perform any other broodnest inspections follow these
points:
• Stand behind or to one side of the colony.
• Using your hive tool, loosen the frame closest to the edge of the box, or the one
second closest. If there's a difference, choose the side that is least built up. Loosen
both ends of the frame if they are stuck.
• Puff some smoke if bees are coming up between frames and crawling on the top bars
and your hands. Watch for lots of bees lining up at the top of the frames, watching
you.
• When both ends of the frame are free, lift one end with your fingers and the other
with the corner of your hive tool if there is lots of comb, or with your other hand if
the frames are not stuck.
• Keep your hive tool in the palm of your hand and between your thumb and fore-
finger, held in place with your little finger and ring finger. This grasp leaves your
thumb and forefinger of each hand to hang onto the frame when you lift it up slowly.
• If the frame is empty of comb, carefully set it down on end at the front door so any
bees can easily find their way home.
• Loosen the next frame if it's stuck by inserting the curved end of your hive tool
between the two frames and twisting it. The leverage this position gives you is
amazing, and it will loosen almost any frame.
• When the frame is loose, remove it slowly, especially if there's comb on even one
side of the frame. Lift the frame straight up until the bottom is clear. This reduces
the chance of rolling bees (or the queen) between moving combs and crushing them.
• Hold the frame by the lugs or shoulders between your thumb and forefinger.
• If there's no comb, lean the frame against the first frame, by the front door.
• If there is comb, you'll want to see if eggs or brood are present. Turn so the sunlight
is coming over your shoulder. Hold the frame at midchest height and away from
your body a bit. Tilt it so the light shines directly down to the bottoms of the cells.
Sunlight is the best light there is for seeing eggs or brood. If at all possible, keep
the frames over the open box or the first box you removed so that if by chance the
queen is there, she won't be lost if she falls off the frame.
• If you are going to look at additional frames, slide this one over to fill the empty
space left by the two empty frames, keeping everybody inside and safe.
• Puff more smoke if bees are rising between frames or are starting to fly.
• After examining the next frame as before, slide it over out of the way and examine
the next frame.
