Manipulating A Colony of Bees

Manum swarm-catcher.

       Having now considered the inmates of a hive, the hive itself, and the several parts and the tools for manipulating the same, it is now in order to take up the manipulation of the hive, or the handling of a colony of bees.

       The average beginner at this point may feel that he has a job on his hands. He may get stung, when his face will be disfigured so that he will not be presentable to company. While we do not deny he may get stung, the one who tries for the first time to handle bees should protect his hands with gloves and his face with a veil. not because they are absolutely essential, but because it will take away that feeling of fear that might cause him to make a false move and thus incite the bees to sting.

       If he will follow the directions that we are now about to give he should not receive a single sting even in his clothing. First of all, it is important that he select a warm day, between ten and three o'clock. After having lighted his smoker, he should put on his veil and gloves and approach his hive. He should be sure that the smoker delivers a blue smoke. The best fuel we have found is old rags or greasy waste, which can be had for the asking at almost any machine shop. The smoke of this is not pungent, but is a bluish white and quite opaque. Care should be taken not to work the smoker bellows too hard, as otherwise the fuel will burst into flame.

       With the smoker just right, blow three or four puffs of smoke into the entrance, and in doing it be careful not to blow in too much smoke, otherwise you will start the bees in the hive on a stampede, especially if they are blacks or hybrids. While bees will not sting in this condition it renders subsequent manipulation exceedingly difficult.

       The next movement is to take the screwdriver or hive tool and pry the cover up about a sixteenth of an inch‚ not wider, because the bees would escape. Through the gap so made between the cover and hive itself blow in a couple of puffs of smoke. Next gently lift up the cover, following the movement with perhaps two or three light puffs of smoke, it is just as important not to use too much smoke as not enough.

       One may now proceed to lift out individual frames. If they are stuck together on account of the bee glue a little smoke may be required to follow each operation in separating the frames; but usually the smoker can be set down alongside the hive, and frame after frame be lifted out without receiving a single sting.

       Care should be taken not to pinch any bees. Always place the fingers at some point where there are no bees. If they are very numerous gently brush them over to one side by pushing the fingers down between them, being careful not to pinch them in doing it.

       After one has opened a hive a few times he will be able to discard the gloves, and later he can dispense with the veil at times, because he will find that an intelligent use of the smoker will do more to eliminate stings than any other one thing. After one has acquired a sense of freedom and knows the bees will not sting, he can work over them for hours at a time, getting more real joy out of his pets than from anything else on the place.

Hive for extracted honey, shallow frames.

• The Behavior of Bees
  
• The Old Way of Keeping Bees
• Tools for Handling Bees