Hello Kirk & All,

Kirk said:
>I usually start with phase one: remove the cover slowly without smoke. 
>Phase two: wave my hand without smoke over the top of the hive. Phase 
>three: rap the side of the hive with my knuckles. Phase four: bump the side 
>with my knee (kicking). All this without smoke. I do expect some feedback 
>from the hive, but not too much.

I believe Kirk makes a good point. testing without smoke is an excellent 
test. Despite what many hobby might think most commercial beekeepers use 
smoke when doing  serious work.  we usually use more than one when working 
bees.

I looked back at my notes from years ago and discovered the person which 
introduced the "kick test" to the list. It seems I reported on Bee-L after 
attending a Texas State Beekeepers meeting (when AHB first arrived) Texas 
beekeepers were using a "kick test" before starting work. (in archives)

>I have bought VHS queens to add to my breeder line, but the dang things die 
>off so easily, and most don't brood up for crap. Maybe one of of five is 
>good to my eyes. I quit buying them the last couple of years.

Maybe the HVS line or the SVH line they are working on will perform better 
(kidding)

bob

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm