Zee Byrd wrote:

> In what way do gloves enable you to work fast?  I have
> found it to be just the opposite.  The gloves just
> seem to get in the way and make for clumsy fingers. ...
>
> --- [log in to unmask] wrote:
> > with a 100 hives, gloves enables you to work fast
> > which is an argument in
> > favor of using gloves because the hive is stressed
> > less by working quickly.

In my experience (also with about 100 hives), I find truth in both
writers' comments.  I love to work without gloves, but certainly don't
find that I work faster - only more carefully.  I don't mind stings,
especially on the fingers, but I don't go looking for them either.  So
with bare hands, I work slowly, and I think my hives are much less
stressed by being open a bit longer. When I work with gloves, no matter
how hard I try to be gentle I always seem to crush or roll more bees
(the gloves *are* clumsy) - and I think this produces more stress to the
hive than being quietly open longer.

Ted Fischer
Dexter, Michigan USA