Marc Sevigny <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
 
>The following day, I opened up the hive quickly, and there was a bee in
the queen cage, but I think it was a >worker, probably attracted by the
scent on the queen cage, in fact, lots of bees were tending the cage even
>though I suspect that she wasn't inside, her effects are long lasting, I
presume.
Every time that I've released a queen in a queen cage I've seen bees all
over it and had to blow them out to get them out.  I think you're right,
the queen's pheromone on the cage is attracting them.
 
>(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've become used to it.  Of course you'll never have the vision of no veil
but it's not that bad.  I don't use it when I'm working my calm bees.  I
had two hives that were so mean that you couldn't get within 50' of them
before guards started attacking.  They have been requeened and I'm waiting
for the former queens offspring to die off so that I can enjoy working that
hive again.  I always keep the veil around when working the bees.  Most of
my hives will buzz you before attacking.  If you vacate quickly and don the
veil before continuing work you get no stings.  It takes a while I think to
reach this stage.  You'll learn how much smoke to use, how to handle the
frames and hive tool, and how not to be nervous.  I think that the bees can
key on my attitude.  When I was nervous around them they attacked.  Now
that I've become calm around them, they're calm.
 
>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 :-)
Feed them as much as they'll take.  They're using this sugar to build comb.
 If you're not feeding them they'll use nectar and honey to build comb.
Sugar is less expensive than honey right now so the math makes sense.  You
can't really put a value on comb, but it's very important to you as a
beekeeper.  If you have healthy hives in the spring and plan to expand with
more package bees, remove some drawn comb from your hives and give that to
new packages.  It gets them started much quicker because the queen can go
to town laying eggs immediately.  Newly hived bees have a propensity for
building comb.  Take advantage of that.
 
>At what point should I add the second deep frames?  I currently have my
feeder on top of my inner cover >which is over the first deep.  Then I have
the body of the second deep on top of the first, with a 1 gallon feeder
>over the hole in the top cover.  I was planning on putting the frames in
the second deep as 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?
Yes, you should not let them run out of foundation to build if they're in
the mood.  Another consideration is that you're feeding them and they're
thinking it's spring with a heavy flow.  If they run out of room they may
swarm and that's a dramatic set back.  You should have the new frames in
before they have filled 8 of the frames in the current box.  This presents
a problem with the feeder you're using because you need another hive body
to house the feeder.  This is one of the reasons I like Boardman feeders
but I don't want to start that argument on the list right now.
 
>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?
Late afternoon is best in my opinion.  The bees are still out foraging
heavily so there aren't many old bees(guards) around to take exception to
your working them.  Once you have manipulated them they pretty much shut
down for the day so later is better.
 
>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?
Because they'll shut down after you've opened them, you're setting them
back every time you do so.  How often do you want to shut your bees down?
Only when necessary is my answer.  Of course you're new to beekeeping and
want to learn and watch.  You will not learn unless you work them and make
some mistakes and get messy.  There's a trade off here.  You make the call.
 I have been warned that you can actually chase your bees away.  If you
open them up too much they'll figure that this home is not optimum and
abscond.  I have not experienced this but my beekeeping mentor told me so,
I think, to get me to moderate my hive manipulations when I first started.
 
 
There are several signs you can read from watching your landing board on
the hive.  If they're bringing in lots of pollen they're probably
queen-right and have lots of babies.  If you use Boardman feeders, you can
guage how much sugar they're taking by watching the level in the jar and
seeing how often a bubble rises to the top.  Count the comers and goers to
see how much foraging is going on.  Many first flights is a good sign also.
 Dragging dead brood out, you've got some sort of problem.  There's an art
to being able to look at the hive and tell what's going on inside.  You'll
learn that in time also.
 
>Lastly, what type of veil is preferred?  Is there such a thing as veils
with plexiglass over the eyes to help the >viewing?  What is the name and
phone number of a company that has a catalog that I can look at and
>possibly order from?
I've never seen a veil with a window like you described.  Maybe you've got
a good idea.  Build a prototype and try it out.  My favorite beekeeping
supply dealer is Lapp Bee Supply in Reeseville, WI @ 800-321-1960.  You can
also find many others in American Bee Journal and Bee Culture magazines.  I
believe Kim Flottum, the editor of Bee Culture, is on this list.  He once
offered to give out free samples.  I took him up on it and now have a
subscription I loved it so much.  I always meant to thank him publicly on
the list.  Thanks Kim and does that offer still stand for new beekeepers?
 
Marc, enjoy your new hobby and keep asking questions.  You'll love what you
learn.
 
Ted Wout
Red Oak, TX