When starting out allways use smoke. Smoke the entrance and under the lid.
When opening the top listen and observe. With smoke and careful motion all
the bees have still got their tails in the air this is a bad sign. If a
little smoke gets their tails down and everything seems ok but when you go
to remove a frame and they make a slight roar this is a bad sign. Allways
work from the outside to center to keep from mashing queen. Try not to
mash any bees. Don't force frames down in the hive. Adjust the frames so the
frames will slide in without mashing bees. If you are working your bees and
many are buzzing and hitting your veil this is a bad sign. If everytime you
remove a frame bees are flying up in your face this is a bad sign. Smoke
any stings you recieve even if on your suit and you didn't feel the
sting. Bees can be worked with all of the above carefully but if you are
starting out best left alone to another day. Beekeeping should be a
rewarding and pleasant experience.
I have had the experience of cleaning up bear damage. Those bees are in a
foul mood for weeks. If a beginner treats his bees with rough handling by
dropping frames etc. then those bees will be in a bad mood next time the
hive is opened if a few weeks haven't passed.
Usually a bright sunny day is best and the middle of the day when the field
bees are gone is best but use the above as a test of their mood before
proceding. Many times beginning beekeepers blame the bees for their
mistakes.
Happy Beekeeping!
Bob Harrison U.S.A.