>
> > always been to inspect frequently and learn what normal looks like so
> you can recognize abnormal.


The learning curve for beginning beekeepers is really tough on the poor
bees.  I've observed high rates of queen loss after the inspection of nucs
in my beginners classes.

But that's the only way to learn--but best with the guidance of someone
with good handling technique (who works bare handed).
Learn to work your first hives while they are still small.  Open them under
ideal conditions, and only keep them open for a few minutes.
Use only enough smoke so that no bees are looking at you.  When you see
bees looking at you again, apply a little more smoke to them.

In the learning process you are going to kill queens, disturb and disrupt
the colony, and make all kinds of mistakes.  But just go ahead and learn
from them.

I've attached Taber's data of the effect of colony disturbance, plotted out
graphically.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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