Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• Only examine your colonies on sunny, wind-free, mild days (temperature
between 65°F [18°C] and 98°F [37°C]) so the bees can take advantage of the
honey flow.
• Absolutely avoid working colonies when it's cool, rainy, windy, cloudy, going
to storm, or just finished storming.
• Don't start too early in the day, or too late in the evening. Between 10:00 am
and 4:00 pm is usually the best time because that's when the temperature is the
warmest, the wind the least likely to be blowing, and the most bees out for-
aging.
• Always be gentle when opening the colony. Quick movements and loud, snap-
ping sounds irritate the bees.
• Use enough smoke to make working the bees comfortable, but don't overdo it.
Too much smoke will overdose the bees and soon they won't react to it at all.
• Keep your bee suit clean, and wash it often. The occasional sting on the suit
will allow venom to build up, giving off an “alarming“ odor to the bees.
• A manipulating cloth, which is a canvas and wire device that covers all of the
frames of an open colony except the one you are working on, keeps bees con-
tained and in the dark.
If your bees are not very gentle, and they begin to sting people and cause
trouble, you can requeen the colony. (See page 90 for more information on re-
queening.)
So, again, all the regular rules apply: screens, fences, gates, and build-
ings—anywhere the colonies are—should be out of sight. Neutral-colored hives work
well, certainly better than white boxes, and living screens are effective—all this for
ground-or near-ground level colonies. But remember the sun: Honey bee colonies do
better in the sun. It keeps the bees warmer and drier, and makes it easier to dehydrate
honey. It's a trade-off. If the screens, fences, and gates are high enough to keep busy
eyes away, they are probably high enough to keep sunlight off the bees most of the day.
Try to locate your ground-resting colonies such that you only need two or three sides
screened so that some sun gets to the bees in the morning or afternoon. They'll be hap-
pier, and so will you.
Working Colonies
As with backyards, when working colonies in an urban setting you have to consider
the people and pets that may be near you. Honey bees will defend their nest if they are
threatened, and opening a colony is easily and often considered a threat. If your bees
