Lesson 38: Closing Up

Putting the hive back together gently, and leaving it better than you found it

The inspection isn't over until the hive is closed properly. Most bees killed during inspections die while the hive is being put back together, squeezed between frames or boxes. A crushed queen can doom a colony, and crushed bees give off an alarm smell that makes the rest of the colony defensive. A careful close-up takes an extra minute and saves a lot of trouble.

Putting the frames back

1. Put frames back in the same order and facing the same way they came out, brood toward the center and food toward the outside (lesson 9).
2. Lower each frame slowly, straight down, giving bees on the frame ends time to move.
3. Slide frames together gently at the end, not with a shove, so bees between them can get out of the way.
4. Put the outer frame you removed first back last, then space all the frames evenly and snug, keeping bee space (lesson 18).

Clearing the top edges

Before a box or cover goes on, the top edges and top bars are often lined with bees.

• Puff a little smoke across the top bars and edges. The bees move down into the hive or fly off.
• Or brush them gently aside with a bee brush.

Putting boxes and covers back on

• Lower each box or cover slowly. Some beekeepers set a box down at an angle (crossways) and then slowly slide or twist it into line, which rolls bees out of the way instead of pinching them.
• Check that the box sits square and flat, with no gaps that robbers or pests could use.
• Inner cover on, then outer cover. Lower the lid gently; don't drop it.

Before you walk away

• Check the entrance: reducer in place if needed, entrance not blocked.
• Check your feeder if you're feeding (lesson 22).
• Pick up everything: hive tool, frames, burr comb you scraped off. Don't leave wax, honey or syrup lying around. It invites robbing (lesson 50) and pests.
• Put your smoker out completely (lesson 32).
• Walk away from the bee yard before taking off your veil. A few bees often follow you for a little while.
• Write down what you saw while it's fresh (lesson 41).

What to remember

• Same order, same direction; brood center, food outside.
• Lower frames and boxes slowly; smoke or brush bees off the edges before closing.
• Leave no wax, honey or syrup lying around.
• Smoker out, veil off only after you've walked away, notes written.

Quick check

1. How can you clear bees off the top bars before putting a box back on?
2. Why shouldn't you leave scraps of burr comb or honey near the hive?
3. When should you take your veil off?

Adapted from: UF/IFAS Extension, Welcome to the Apiary! (4H446), "Colony Inspection"; Purdue Extension, Advanced Beekeeping (4-H-1059-W); USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bee Safety.

Adapted from university Extension sources. Experienced Georgia beekeepers are reviewing these lessons. See something that doesn't match your experience? Tell us.