408 INSECTS AFFECTING VEGETATION 



The bee keeper should manipulate without exhibiting fear. 

 This is not because the bees recognize the fact that the operator is 

 afraid of them, as some claim, but because superfluous quick move- 

 ments tend to irritate the bees. The hive should not be jarred or 

 disturbed any more than necessary. Rapid movements are objec- 

 tionable, because with their peculiar eye structure bees probably per- 

 ceive motion more rapidly than they do objects. Persons not accus- 

 tomed to bees, on approaching a hive, often strike at bees which fly 

 toward them or make some quick movement of the head or hand to 

 avoid the sting which they fear is to follow. This is just what 

 should not be done, for the rapid movement, even if not toward the 

 bee, is far more likely to be followed by a sting than is remaining 

 quiet. 



The best time to handle bees is during the middle of warm- 

 days, particularly during a honey flow. Never handle bees at night 

 or on cold, wet days unless absolutely necessary. 



Before opening a hive the smoker should be lighted and the 

 veil put on. A few puffs of smoke directed into the entrance will 

 cause the bees to fill themselves with honey and will drive back the 

 guards. The hive cover should be raised gently, if necessary being 

 pried loose with a screw-driver or special hive tool. As soon as a 

 small opening is made, more smoke should be blown in on the tops 

 of the frames, or if a mat covering for the frames is used, the cover 

 should be entirely removed and one corner of the mat lifted to 

 admit smoke. It is not desirable to use any more smoke than just 

 enough to subdue the bees and keep them down on the frames. At 

 any time during manipulation, if they become excited, more smoke 

 may be used. Do not stand in front of the entrance, but at one 

 side or the back. 



After the frames are exposed they may be loosened by prying 

 with the hive tool and crowded together a little so as to give room for 

 the removal of one frame. In cool weather the propolis (bee glue) 

 may be brittle. Care should be exercised not to loosen this with a 

 jar. The first frame removed can be leaned against the hive, so 

 that inside there will be more room for handling the others. During 

 all manipulations bees must not be mashed or crowded, for that irri- 

 tates the colony greatly and may make it necessary to discontinue 

 operations. Undue crowding may also mash the queen. If bees 

 crawl on the hands, they may be gently brushed off or thrown off. 



In examining a frame always hold it over the hive, so that any 

 bees or queen which fall may drop into it. Freshly gathered honey 

 also often drops from the frame, and if it falls in the hive the bees 

 can quickly clean it up, whereas if it drops outside it is untidy and 

 may cause robbing. If a frame is temporarily leaned against the 

 hive, it should be placed in a nearly upright position to prevent 

 breakage and leaking of honey. The frame on which the queen is 

 located should not be placed on the ground, for fear she may crawl 

 away and be lost. It is best to lean the frame on the side of the hive 

 away from the operator, so that bees will not crawl up the legs. 



