Move hands around, not across a hive as the bees are attracted to rapid  
movements.  If you move your hands over an open hive do so at half speed. 
 
When smoking, you aren't trying to gas the bees, just to induce the guards  
to go and find some open stores to gorge. This takes time, so count slowly to  
120 whilst putting your veil on and giving the hives subsequently to be 
examined  a whiff (no more) of smoke.
 
Don't jar the hives.  Avoid this by lubricating with wax/oil (Vaseline  in 
UK) where wood meets wood.
 
Generally don't wear gloves unless you feel you really have to as they make  
you clumsy and insensitive. To gain confidence in gong gloveless, cut the 
thumb  and first 2 fingers off an old pair of gloves. 
 
Minimise drifting by arranging hives in a broken pattern facing different  
directions rather then in a straight line.
 
Write up your record as soon as you have put the roof back on the hive. If  
you can confidently and unstung do so with veil off, resting the notebook on 
the  roof of that hive give them full marks for temperament.
 
Listen to the engine noise.
 
Chris



   

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