Inspections: Points to pay attention to
Most bee races do not leave the hive if the outside temperature is below 10 to 12 °C.
Hives should not be opened if the temperature is below 15 °C. If an inspection lasts too long, there is a risk of chilling the brood, which can lead to its death or to diseases. Calm movements are essential, and one should never lose control of the situation!
1st precaution
For an inspection under good conditions, a fine sunny day, a temperature above 15 °C and little wind are required. Beware of foehn winds: like humans, bees are sensitive to this warm air current. Inspections should also be avoided when a thunderstorm is approaching.
2nd precaution
When bees are aggressive, protective equipment must be worn: veil, gloves, long-sleeved jacket and trousers (and remember to replace that queen as soon as possible!). It is essential that the beekeeper’s clothing is light and breathable to avoid perspiration, especially in warm weather. The smell of sweat can provoke stings, which are always unpleasant. The same applies to the smell of perfumes or alcohol. If an aggressive colony has been identified, it should be inspected last.
Bees may also become aggressive when, with the hive open and the inspection prolonged, robbers from neighbouring hives begin to enter; smoke then loses its calming effect. In such cases, it is best to stop the work and resume it at another time.
3rd precaution
The smoker or pipe is indispensable for handling bees. It must not go out while working in the apiary and should be used sparingly (avoid excessive smoking, which may have the opposite effect or even trigger overexcitement of the queen). Various fuels can be used: raw tobacco, corrugated cardboard, dried pine needles, dry rotten wood, etc. (do not use firelighters or chemical products).
The bellows should be operated to produce white, cool smoke. Bluish smoke irritates bees instead of calming them. If, during the inspection, the bees start to become agitated, they can also be calmed by spraying them (with a sprayer) with sugar water.
4th precaution
Quality equipment for every beekeeper: hive tool, scraper, and a (soft) bee brush.
5th precaution
Do not leave combs, wax, honey or syrup accessible to bees outside the hive. At certain times of the season, this could trigger robbing. Use a box to store combs and a small bucket for wax residues.