"I always keep a small watering-pot or sprinkler, in my Apiary, and
whenever I wish to operate upon a hive, as soon as the cover is taken off,
and the bees exposed, I sprinkle them gently with water sweetened with
sugar. They help themselves with the greatest eagerness, and in a few
moments, are in a perfectly manageable state. The truth is, that bees
managed on this plan are always glad to see visitors, and you cannot look
in upon them too often, for they expect at every call, to receive a sugared
treat by way of a peace-offering. I can superintend a large number of
hives, performing every operation that is necessary for pleasure or profit,
and yet not run the risks of being stung, which must frequently be incurred
in attempting to manage, in the simplest way, the common hives."

LL Langstroth, Hive and Honeybee, 1853, pages 28-29

http://bees.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=bees&cc=bees&idno=5017167&node=5017167%3A6&frm=frameset&view=image&seq=34

marc hoffman




On Thu, Sep 5, 2013 at 9:38 AM, Christina Wahl <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Pete said:
>
> "They're nuts, and beekeepers that open hives without smoke are nuts too."
>
> I don't find this to be a constructive comment.
>
> There are beekeepers who use sugar water instead of smoke to calm their
> bees and reduce their tendency to fly.
>
> There are beekeepers who care how many bees are killed when they get in
> and out of hives.   Pete, having watched you manage hives, I wouldn't say
> you are one of those.  If in fact "bees eating bees" turns out to be a
> cause for concern vis-a-vis transmission of viruses and other problems,
> then your technique will need some refinement.
>
> Commercial beekeepers are concerned about time management more than
> hobbyists, so smoking is definitely the way to go for them.  Hobbyists have
> bees often (not always) because they like to spend time with their bees.
>  If they do it without smoke, they aren't "nuts", they're having fun and
> their technique works for them.  Calling such folks "nuts" shows a lack of
> both perspective and imagination.
>
> Christina
>
>              ***********************************************
> 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
>

             ***********************************************
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