The Art Of Colony Examination When, How And Why

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The Art Of Colony Examination- When, How And Why

• Clarence H. Collison
• Mississippi State University

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Beginners Are Naturally Reluctant To Spend Much
Time Examining Their Colonies
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With Proper Clothing And Equipment, Handling Bees
Is Neither Difficult Nor Dangerous
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Smoker Fuels

• Paper To Light It
• Pine Straw
• Punk Wood
• Corn Cobs
• Rolled Up Cardboard
• Old Bark
• Wood Shavings
• Old Rags, Burlap
• Twine (Insecticides)

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Smoke

• Necessity In Handling Bees
• Calms The Bees
• Repels The Bees
• Causes Bees To Engorge On Honey
• Deadens The Effect Of Alarm Pheromones

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Avoid Sparks/Flames
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Approach The Hive From The Rear And Work From
Either Side
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Before Opening A Colony Of Bees, Blow Smoke Into
The Hive Entrance And All Other Cracks And
Openings
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Additional Smoke Is Blown Under The Outer
Telescoping Cover As The Colony Is Opened
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As You Work The Colony, The Outer Telescoping
Cover Is Used To Support Honey Supers
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The Amount Of Smoke To Use Will Vary From Colony
To Colony
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40º F Cluster Location50º F Quickly Check
Brood65º F Thorough Examination
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Work The Bees When They Are Flying, On Clear Warm
Days Between 1000 AM and 400 PM
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Bees Are Easiest To Handle When There Is A Nectar
Flow
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Work Bees Slowly And With Care Avoid Quick,
Jerky Movements
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Do Not Roll Bees When You Remove The First Comb.
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Managing The Brood Nest Is Important
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Why Examine Brood Patterns?

• Overall Condition Of The Colony
• Presence Or Absence Of A Queen
• Quality Of A Queen
• Availability of Fresh Nectar And Food Stores
• Checking For Bee Diseases/Varroa Mites
• Colony Strength
• Inclination To Swarm

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Evaluating The Queen
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Drone Layer
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Laying Workers
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Some Bee Stings Are Inevitable
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When Stung!

• Scrape The Stinger Away With Your Finger Nail,
  Hive Tool Or Other Sharp Object.
• Do Not Pull The Stinger Out
• Pulling Squeezes All The Venom From The Poison
  Sac Into The Wound
• Smoke The Sting Site