1. The objectives of the inspection

Think the inspection through carefully before starting.

Does the colony have sufficient food stores?
Is the colony strong?
Does the space occupied by the brood need to be expanded?
Do any frames need to be removed?
Does a super need to be added?
Is the queen present?
Is the queen marked?
Is the queen laying?
Is the brood pattern homogeneous?

2. The beekeeper's protection

An inspection, even a brief one, requires a lit smoker and a beesuit within reach. A little smoke prevents colony aggressiveness that could spread to neighbouring hives through the propagation of attack pheromones. Closing a hive that is in attack mode can sometimes prove quite challenging. Continuing the apiary inspection could even be compromised as a result. To avoid this, always inspect with protection.

3. Equipment at hand

Depending on the objectives and the season, any equipment that may be needed should be prepared and ready for use in the immediate vicinity of the hive:
Hive tool, scraper, bee brush,
Foundation, frame (empty frame, food frame),
Filled super,
Queen excluder,
Clearer board,
Queen marking equipment: coloured drawing pin, pen, hive record card,
Feeder, syrup.

4. Choosing the right moment

Where possible, choose a day when the temperature exceeds 15 °C: the brood will be protected from harmful chilling. Ensure there is no wind or risk of thunderstorm. Even a weak nectar flow keeps the foragers at work outside the hive.

5. Calm: the beekeeper's foremost quality

Precise, unhurried work, with sufficient time available, keeps the colony calm. The beekeeper's task will be easier as a result, sometimes even shorter. If colony aggressiveness hampers the inspection, it is better to postpone it to another day. A colony suspected of being aggressive should be opened at the end of the apiary visit to avoid the entire apiary becoming unsettled.

6. Actions and gestures to avoid

The compound eye of the bee amplifies the perception of movement. Fast movements are perceived as an attack, causing the bees to enter defensive mode. Jolts to hives transmit vibrations to neighbouring colonies on the same stand. Placing equipment — roof, smoker, hive tool — on a neighbouring hive also produces unnecessary vibrations and should be avoided. Individual stands for each hive are used far too rarely.

Bees are highly sensitive to odours. Perfume or perspiration can trigger aggressiveness. Bees are also very sensitive to colour. A light-coloured, uniform beesuit is beneficial. Leather gloves should be avoided as they can transmit pathogens from one colony to another and are difficult to sterilise. Disposable latex gloves are preferable.

7. Smoking gently

One or two light puffs of smoke at the hive entrance alert the colony to the inspection. A small puff when opening the crown board is not always necessary. An additional small puff during the inspection can be useful if it runs on a little longer…

Never use the smoker inside the super: the honey could absorb the smoky odour.

8. Adapting to circumstances

Even if the objectives are defined before opening the hive, the beekeeper must adapt to observations made during the inspection. For example, if the objective is to mark a young queen and a queen cell is discovered, the priority must be to determine whether a queen is present in the hive or not. If the queen is found, the priority is to take measures to prevent the colony from swarming. The original objective — marking the queen — then becomes secondary.

9. Cleaning

The beekeeper should take the opportunity to clean brace comb between the frames, on the frame rests, on the walls of the brood box, on the division board or crown board. The floor inserts should also be cleaned regularly. These areas are rarely visited by the bees and are conducive to the development of pathogens causing contagious diseases, as well as to wax moth intrusion.

10. Recording observations

The inspection concludes with notes entered on the hive record card. The various observations, interventions carried out and objectives for the next inspection are recorded:

Date of the current inspection
Planned date of the next inspection
Colony strength and behaviour (aggressiveness, frame coverage, cleanliness…)
Presence of the queen, brood pattern, queen cell
Food stores
Addition or removal of frame, super
Feeding, treatment (formic acid, oxalic acid, drone brood frame…), natural mite drop count.

► Print a card for recording observations

See also:

• Late-winter feeding: what to make of it?
• Varroa tolerance
• Practical Guide: 1.2.2 Nassenheider professional evaporator