Manipulating cloth anyone?

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Joined
Jun 8, 2010
Messages
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Location
Dartmoor edge, uk
Hive Type
National
Number of Hives
5...2 wooden National, 2 poly Nat & 1 poly nuc...bursting at the seams
Does anyone use one of these? I have seen then mentioned in books, and wondered (as a fairly slow & steady newbee) whether they are a good idea...or an item for the back of the shed??
 
Does anyone use one of these? I have seen then mentioned in books, and wondered (as a fairly slow & steady newbee) whether they are a good idea...or an item for the back of the shed??
They used to be popular but the advent of varroa and its propensity to vector disease, has largely seen the decline of the manipulating cloth !
I used to use them but I no longer consider them as part of my i.p.m. :leaving:

John Wilkinson
 
Oh right thanks, I had read that they were good for calming bees if the hive needs to be open for longer than they are happy with, rather than i.p.m.
 
This is the only item of beekeeping kit I have bought but NEVER used.

More chance of causing problems with it, that learning to handle the bees well.
 
It is sometimes very useful to keep three quarters of an unruly hive "down"....and with a clean bit of cloth (old tea towel/bit of sheet) provided it's not windy it works a treat and no need for smoke just a little 1:1.
 
Does anyone use one of these? I have seen then mentioned in books, and wondered (as a fairly slow & steady newbee) whether they are a good idea...or an item for the back of the shed??
Tottaly useless , mine used to get smootherd in bees, and either had to brush them off or shake them bee-smilliebee-smillie more bother than help my opinon, another waste of money was the Canadian clearer board, my supers never empty and as soon as I took off the roof they would all scramble back up.
Grub
 
I've seen one used when the weather was colder than you would normally go in. Worked well but the operator was a very experienced beek. I also know one guy whose colony was so aggressive they lifted up the cloth!!! (he requeened it the following week).
 
Just out of interest, being new to the forum, has anyone ever done a list of essential, handy, useless equipment? Books go out of fashion and ideas so swiftly...
 
Yes, use one all the time on colonies but not on nucs. I also have spare solid crown boards to hand so that near full supers can be covered as they are individually removed and stacked in alternate diagonals in the upturned roof.
 
Just out of interest, being new to the forum, has anyone ever done a list of essential, handy, useless equipment? Books go out of fashion and ideas so swiftly...

Essential new equipment...wing marking kit...










....so you can attach the individual ID numbers for traceability... :D
 
I have. Screwed it up or lost it a long time ago. Never put one on the 'puter.

Make your own list and think really carefully: is it a 'want' or 'need'?; How many?; other alternatives or non-specialised alternatives available?; cost over usefulness; standardisation;etc.

Lightly cross out/highlight those discounted as unnecessary, with a note why. Similarly comment on the really useful items.

Include what you already have (you may need more (like hive tools!). List other items you come across - you may need them in the future or they might give inspiration in the future.

Books go out of fashion? I have 'Wedmore' and although I recognise it is dated, the basics have not really changed that much.

Regards, RAB
 
Books go out of fashion? I have 'Wedmore' and although I recognise it is dated, the basics have not really changed that much.

Sorry RAB, I didn't mean to sound dismissive or superior, I take many drugs which affect my ability to remember vocabulary - and I sometimes use the wrong word in the wrong place (horrid for an ex-English teacher). I know basic don't change, but science, thinking etc do - that's what I meant. Anyway, thanks for the advice, I'll try not to be an advertisers dream!
 
Queens,thanks for letting us know about the drugs.
Members do remember when someone say's they have an illness,and often consider it when reading posts before making a hasty reply :cheers2:
 
I occasionally use a manipulation cloth....

1) If the hive has the hump, or I've done something stupid like drop something, it makes all the difference.

2) If you are working on two hives at once (moving a test frame), it is quite useful to have something to cover a hive with for a few minutes that doesn't crush bees.
 
Thanks Rae, earlier in the thread a tea-towel was suggested so I'm going to try it. It isn't my girls fault that I take AGES to check the hive - and your use was what I was expecting!!
 
I know exactly what you mean Queens, if I miss my medication ( which is often as I am USELESS at regular pill popping ) my memory goes and my concentration span diminishes......the kids think it's hilarious when I stop mid sentence and forget I was even talking to them lol. I know where you are coming from ;)
 
Manipulating cloth anyone?
I have 2 cloths available which roll up and are used together when working a hive. I don't use it for routine inspections but find it very helpful when working alone on a colony that I'm either removing nurse bees for a nuc, wanting to catch the queen, putting in grafts- basically when you need to take longer than usual.
I agree with most posts that for routine inspections it isn't needed unless the colony is very feisty- perhaps during a period of bad weather.
 
Gave up on them donkeys years ago way too slow, and cumbersome too.

Now as mentioned the disease risk too.

PH
 
Even if you used a freshly washed cloth, not using detergent, would it still pose a problem where diease is concerned?
 

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