The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: HesterF on June 30, 2013, 11:26:52 pm

Title: Night time inspection?
Post by: HesterF on June 30, 2013, 11:26:52 pm
I'm just starting my beekeeping adventure after my hives arrived a couple of weeks ago. They've got some inverted sugar syrup in feeders to help them get set up. My teacher said to leave them just to get started for a couple of weeks so I'll do a full inspection soon. Meantime I was just wondering whether there is a quick way to check on the level of the feeders and I wondered whether it would work if I checked that at night? It's just a question of taking off the top but clearly they'd not be happy if I did that by day but I could very easily open it up at night and with a quick flash of the torch check it's OK. Would they still be active enough to object? Sorry if it's a daft question,

H
Title: Re: Night time inspection?
Post by: darkbrowneggs on June 30, 2013, 11:41:20 pm
Don't forget that bees are used to working in total darkness and most attacks would be expected at night so they will be extra vigilant and all the workers will be at home. 


I think the best time to check them is when everything has warmed up on a still warm sunny day then all of available flying bees will be away from the hive working. 
Title: Re: Night time inspection?
Post by: HesterF on June 30, 2013, 11:46:14 pm
Ah - good point. OK, will suit up soon! Just being lazy really.
Title: Re: Night time inspection?
Post by: shygirl on July 01, 2013, 12:10:34 am
Don't forget that bees are used to working in total darkness and most attacks would be expected at night so they will be extra vigilant and all the workers will be at home. 



sounds terrifying !! lol  :o
Title: Re: Night time inspection?
Post by: Bionic on July 01, 2013, 10:21:52 am
OH checked out new nucs yesterday (got them on Thursday).  He also fed when when they went into their new home and they have taken quite a bit of that down.
He did suit up and the bees were quite active which was good to see but not agressive