Hi All,

I was corresponding with a beek about to teach a beginners class.
Here's a tip that greatly improved the success of my initial field sessions:

All my beginners start by working only nucs on a perfect day, in tee shirts
and veils, barehanded or with vinyl gloves.
Prior to getting into the bees, I first set out an old box of drawn comb (so
that the frames are hard to pull) for every person (set on a bottom board,
with a hive cover).  Then I have them go through the steps of a full hive
inspection, but sans bees.  Each one needs to remove an outside frame, set
it aside, then push frames to the side, pull another comb out without
touching the box or next comb, practice shaking a comb, and replacing all.

Each must demonstrate to the group when they think they have it, so that I
can point out to all any mistakes.

We don't go to the bees until all have demonstrated.  This really helps to
practice without the distraction of bees on the combs!

In the bee yard, I get as many seasoned helpers as possible.  I assign all
the pretty gals to my wife, for obvious reasons.

Randy Oliver

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