Best time of Day for an Inspection

[TryingToLetThemBee]

In that very warm spell ten days ago I learned the trick to these cool US beekeepers who inspect in t-shirt and shorts (if that): as conditions outside the hive approach those inside, like in a US summer, esp in the South, they don't notice you at all.

Given that is rare here, I slip in the inspection board these days, to reduce convection. Seems to keep them calmer (but another thing to remember to remove...)

 

[shazzer]

"Given that is rare here, I slip in the inspection board these days, to reduce convection. Seems to keep them calmer (but another thing to remember to remove...)"


I have my inspection board on all the time. Is this not correct?

It has a gap between it and the mesh, so would allow ventilation. With the cool nights and mornings we are having and of course wind I would assume It could be quite drafty without the inspection board in, this would much reduce the temp in the hive and give the bees more work to do to keep things warm and cosy for the brood.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I have my inspection board on all the time. Is this not correct?
.

No - the OMF should be, well, open at all times, unless you are doing a mite count when you would use the inspection board.

 

[shazzer]

It does have nearly a centimeter gap between the inspection board and the mesh to allow ventilation is this not enough?

I was concerned that having it completely open when its breezy and cold at night could make it a bit drafty and chilly.

They seem to be thriving with it on too.

 

[pargyle]

It does have nearly a centimeter gap between the inspection board and the mesh to allow ventilation is this not enough?

I was concerned that having it completely open when its breezy and cold at night could make it a bit drafty and chilly.

They seem to be thriving with it on too.

I leave mine in all the time but I have modified stands that allow about 60mm between the mesh and the inspection board .. it does allow me to see the range of debris (including varroa) dropping from the hive and still allow plenty of ventilation. There is some thoughts (unproven as far as I am aware) that any live varroa that fall from the hive need to drop far enough for them not to be able to return and I'm not convinced that 1cm is sufficient - I don't know whether 60mm is enough but there's a better chance.

However - with the inspection board in the standard position I am with JBM above - IMO 1cm is not enough clearance - not from the point of view of ventilation - from the point of view that the debris (when they are busy) builds up very quickly on the inspection board and it is a haven for wax moth that is too close to the bottom of the hive for my liking. Also, if you leave the boards in all the time they really do need cleaning on an almost daily basis ...

Before mesh floors there were always solid floors in hive - indeed, there are many that still use solid floors and do not face any problems - the bees clear out hive debris if they want and ventilation (or lack of it) is rarely a problem.

Like everything in beekeeping - there is more than one (and often many) ways of doing things successfully - just be careful and think about what are the consequences of what you do.

 

[shazzer]

Good info there Pargyle thank you.

Having the hive at my backdoor and being a new bee I bring my inspection board in every night and take a look with a magnifying glass it is always interesting identifying all the different debris.

After I have finished looking I give it a quick wash and return it spotless.

I actually look forward to checking the board each night.

My hive front entrance is completely open at the moment and with the gap between the mesh and inspection board all seems well so I am tempted to leave it for a while.

Hopefully this will not prove to be some kind of disastrous strategy.

 

[charlievictorbravo]

With regard to your inspection board, I don't think what you're doing is terribly wrong. By looking at it every day, you get a feel for what 5, 10, 20, 50 mites looks like scattered across the board. After a while, you won't need to count them - it's either "they're ok", "they're starting to to build up mites" or "oh dear, I've got a problem". You can also spot where brood is emerging and where honey is being uncapped - you can learn a lot from what falls out of the bottom of a hive and with only one hive, you've got nothing else to do.......

As for ventilation, I think it's much over-rated. When bees were living in holes in trees, they did not by choice have large entrance hole - I think Derekm thinks they are generally less that 40mm diameter. I have concluded from various bits of research and comments made on the forum that keeping the hive warm and with high humidity helps in the battle against varroa - my bees, my decision.

All the best

CVB

 

[shazzer]

Well I am leaving things as is for the moment. If things get really hot when the BBQ summer starts ;-) I will consider removing it altogether.

I have been desperately looking to see if I can find a Varroa mite with my magnifying glass. Unable to find one as yet.

I get about 5 or 6 dead bees outside the hive per day (we have a tiled floor). I also collect these and take a good look for Varroa DWV etc. Nothing as yet.

They are out today and working feverishly I love em.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Good info there Pargyle thank you.

Having the hive at my backdoor and being a new bee I bring my inspection board in every night and take a look with a magnifying glass it is always interesting identifying all the different debris.

After I have finished looking I give it a quick wash and return it spotless.

I actually look forward to checking the board each night.

My hive front entrance is completely open at the moment and with the gap between the mesh and inspection board all seems well so I am tempted to leave it for a while.

Hopefully this will not prove to be some kind of disastrous strategy.

Having the front entrance completely open means the guard bees have to defend a huge gap against robbers or invasion by wasps etc. Much better to use a restricted entrance mine are a slot about 9mm x. 65mm. It's fixed at that all year.. I have one hive with a 10 x 35 hole this one has a bit of queuing at the door at busy times but production matches it's next door neighbour.

 

[madasafish]

As for ventilation, I think it's much over-rated. When bees were living in holes in trees, they did not by choice have large entrance hole - I think Derekm thinks they are generally less that 40mm diameter. I have concluded from various bits of research and comments made on the forum that keeping the hive warm and with high humidity helps in the battle against varroa -

CVB

+1 My more recent hives are all solid floors..

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

All my hives have the mesh floors open all the time - they have the inspection boards in only for a couple of weeks a year

 

[Millet]

My inspection trays have stayed in since i started last year, i do change them for a clean one regular, my bees seem to be doing ok to the point the hive is too congested, maybe if i left the inspection tray out all year in this bitterly cold north east wind they would not have built up and tried to swarm as quick.? .

Edited to add, on nice warm days i do pull the tray out a inch or two.

 

[shazzer]

My inspection trays have stayed in since i started last year, i do change them for a clean one regular, my bees seem to be doing ok to the point the hive is too congested, maybe if i left the inspection tray out all year in this bitterly cold north east wind they would not have built up and tried to swarm as quick.? .

Edited to add, on nice warm days i do pull the tray out a inch or two.

Yes I think I will stick with keeping mine in. Like you I pulled mine out halfway today to let a bit more air in. A possible advantage to having your hive close.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Yes I think I will stick with keeping mine in. Like you I pulled mine out halfway today to let a bit more air in. A possible advantage to having your hive close.

What happens at the top of your hive, ventilation-wise?

 

[madasafish]

I should add to my comment about solid floors that I use hive cosies and my all year round roofs have a minimum 100mm insulation and sometimes more.. And I run cutdown entrances.
No condensation problems on my see through CBs.

 

[snelgrove]

I didn't like the idea of having my open mesh floors open all year round. However, having done that for the past year with feed wholes closed and insulation above crownboard, my losses have been nil and my bees are much stronger this spring.

 

[shazzer]

What happens at the top of your hive, ventilation-wise?

I have no ventilation at the top.