Look Ma, No Gloves!

June 21, 1014- Day 3-
I did it! I successfully moved 5 frames from the nuc box into the brood box and did not get stung. Of course I was dressed in a jacket, long pants and a veil, but no gloves. All the experienced beekeepers, Dad included, say not to use gloves because they make you clumsy.

First step- Assemble all the necessary stuff:



• brood box
• lid
• sugar syrup
• top feeder
• hive tool
• bee brush
• smoker
• hat
• veil

Next- Drink some more coffee and wait for the sun to warm up the hive. This is a good move since many of the foraging bees will be out working so there won't be so many bees to disturb.

Light the smoker and let it get a good burn going. I am using Dad's smoker which has a lot of years on it but still works great. Opened it up to find some of his burlap still inside. Thanks Dad!

 Don the gear and get going-

 

Hello Bees

Opening the nuc box

5 frames inside the nuc box

Looking for the queen

3 frames moved out

Brood, honey and workers

There she is. a beautiful italian queen bee
 

Here they are in their new home behind the vegetable garden

 Very proud of myself! No gloves, no stings and they seem to have taken to their new home.

Hint: Take digital pictures of your work. If you don't see the queen or eggs or whatever you are looking for, you may see it when you put your photos on your computer screen and enlarge them. I did not see eggs when I made the transfer, but when I looked at the pictures later, and enlarged them, ta da!...eggs!