> Hi Lisa & all,

Without smoke to hide our presence, the bees are great teachers on how
to handle "their" hives.

As soon as you give up your smoker you'll discover your bees are quite
excited and wary on every slight motion.  The bees watch with careful
gaze as if transfixed on the enemy approaching.

Best results (for me) are had by first cracking open the inside cover
without removing any frames for 30 seconds or so - letting them get
acclimated to an intruder.  Next I'll approach by moving my hands in
slightly exaggerated motion with care to keep my arm from covering the
hive.   The idea is to show my hands and movements to all the 1000's of
'scared' little eyes and make sure they know what I'm up to.  They seem
to have patience if you give them a few seconds to let them know you're
not killing or destroying their hive.

Of course, the bigger hives are much less forgiving and a small mistake
will send a bunch out to greet anything moving or breathing.

If you don't wish to suffer the multiple stings in learning to work your
hives without smoke, go out and buy some neoprene work gloves - the ones
which look like heavy-duty dish gloves.  They fit tight, are almost
sting-free and will get you used to the movements which will be
tolerated.

Matthew Westall
-working my smaller hives without smoke

>         Is it just smoke (which I don't use)?  Some writers don't use
> smoke
> at all.  I wish there was a way to learn about just basics of how to
> handle
> the bees and frames.  Both my mentors use gloves and just dive into
> the hive
> without concer for gentler ways.
>
>         Lisa Keeler
>         Zionsville IN


        //        Earthling Bees
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        \\        Castle Rock, CO,  USA