Marc Sevigny wrote:
 
 
> (This brings up the question, when examining, I find the veil obstructs my vision greatly.
> Do you become used to it, or is that something I have to live with?
 
I would recommend getting together with a longtime beekeeper who does
not routinely use a veil.  Doing that I learned a lot about how to
handle bees.  Now I do not even use a veil unless I am dealing with
someone elses hive that has demonstrated to me that they insist I wear
it.  I rarely get stung, and then when I do it is normally on the finger
(from mashing a bee).  I do not recommend you do this until you are
comfortable with it and have a little experience with bees.
 
> My first question is how long should I continue feeding sugar syrup?  They are
> still taking in large quantities.  (I've given them over 15 lbs of sugar in
> two weeks!  I never expected this hobby to be economical, but this is worse
> than my chicken hobby :-)
 
Here in Alaska we anticipate feeding at least 20 pounds of sugar per
hive when installing on new foundation.  Someone local should be able to
give you a better idea of when to stop feeding.
 
> At what point should I add the second deep frames?  . . .I was planning on second deep as
> putting the frames in the soon as the frames on the bottom deep appear to be fully drawn out.
> Is this too late?  Should I put the frames in before the outermost frames are drawn
> out?
 
I would venture to say that you will not get the outside frames drawn
out without some moving of frames. So, I would add the second story when
the bees have pretty well drawn out 7 or 8 frames.  They will continue
working above the existing brood nest, but you can put drawn frames from
up above in the first story.  Then the bees will continue working on
foundation.  Note:  You must either have a nectar flow or be feeding
sugar syrup to get foundation drawn.  Again a local guru would be of
vast value.  Don't let the first story get too crowded waiting for
foundation to be drawn.
 
> I've read that the best time for opening up the hive is during the day when
> most bees are foraging.  But I am usually not home until 6:00PM.  I've not
> read if it is risky to open up the hive at that time, or just not optimal.
> Opinions?
 
I rarely get home before 6:00 and find it no problem.  On the other hand
it is light most all night during the summer, here.
 
> I've heard conflicting opinions on how often to open up the hive.  I'd like to
> see what is going on often, but I don't want to upset them unnecessarily.
> What is a good frequency of checking the hive wihtout become a nuisance to
> them?
 
I recommend a weekly openning of the hive for new beekeepers.  It is
true that openning that often may reduce the honey crop, but the lose is
far offset by the learning experience of actually getting into the
hive.  When you are more experienced less often is better, perhaps.
But, why are you keeping bees?  To get honey, or have a good, healthly,
educational, fun time?  After 16 years, I still open my bees most
weeks.  You want to examine them weekly during the prime swarm season,
at least.
 
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
"Test everything.  Hold on to the good."  (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
 
Tom Elliott
Eagle River, Alaska
U.S.A.
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