Tools for Handling Bees

       The tools required by a beekeeper for opening his hives and doing other necessary work in the production of honey are not elaborate. First and foremost, there must be a bee-smoker‚ a device consisting of a stove and bellows for blowing smoke from some slow-burning fuel on the bees. Without smoke, many manipulations would be very difficult; and the novice, at least, would be inclined to give up the business after his first experience in trying to handle a colony of bees, especially if weather conditions were unfavorable. But with smoke, and an instrument for applying it, one can, if he knows how, perform all possible manipulations with bees when weather conditions are right. In fact, a large number of beekeepers, except during a time when weather is bad, do not use a bee-veil, gloves, nor anything else, because an intelligent use of the bee-smoker will often put the bees on their good behavior, to an extent that the use of protectors is rendered useless. Perhaps a majority of honey-producers work with a veil on the hat, but not drawn down except when an angry bee seems disposed to show fight.

 

smoker.

       The other tool, if it may be so regarded, is designed for face protection. This may be in the form of a wire-cloth cylinder with suitable cape to protect the neck and shoulders, or it may be made of some sort of netting, preferably black, so as to obscure the vision as little as possible. The higher- priced veils of silk Brussels netting offer practically no obstruction to the eyes and at the same time give the wearer a sense of security that he cannot otherwise have.

       Some beekeepers, wishing to get through with as large an amount of work as possible, and knowing that rapid manipulation has a tendency, in spite of smoke, to make bees sting, wear both bee-veil and gloves; and a few of the careless bunglers go so far as to wear cowhide boots in addition, tucking the trousers into the boots. We do not approve of such bungling slam-bang methods, that only irritate the bees. One will accomplish as much or more in a day, provided he works cautiously and deliberately, using bis brains to save making a multiplicity of quick moves. A few slow movements carefully planned will accomplish much with bees.

Protective head covering. See how to make hats like these for your doll.

 

       Almost the only other tool required is a strong screwdriver, a knife with a good stiff blade, or, better still, a specially constructed hive-tool made of spring steel with a broad blade for the purpose of a pry or scraper. A tool of some sort is indispensable for separating the frames and the parts of a hive, because the bees make use of what is known as bee-glue, cementing the frames together. In warm or hot weather this bee-glue does not cause as much trouble in handling the hives as during cold weather, when it is stiff and hard. Ordinarily bees should not be handled at such times.

       One more tool is sometimes used, and that is a swarming-box or a swarm-basket‚  a device invented by the late A. E. Manum. A wire basket is mounted on the end of a long pole so that a majority of the swarms can lie reached and captured from the ground. Where the wings of the queen are clipped, no such appliance is needed except in instances where a second swarm comes off with a virgin queen.

 

Above, the hive tool in use. Below, close-up of hive tool.

• The Behavior of Bees
  
• The Old Way of Keeping Bees
• Manipulating A Colony of Bees