Nectar flow inspections

[Oldbee]

I have a question about the frequency and "amount" of inspection that you do during the nectar flow in your area. This question relates to some threads about some hives becoming "hot" or difficult to deal with at times. I have 3 years recent experience with 3 hives. I did a search on Beesource and found some references to my question. My "style" of beekeeping so far has been to try and complete most "deep" inspections/manipulations by the first week of June for normal/strong hives. After I put on honey supers I may interchange their positions relative to the "brood chamber" according to how they are drawn out or how much nectar/capping is going on. I don't go into the brood chamber after that. Honey supers can become very heavy and to set them aside to go into a brood box to check??????????...........Something? I know swarms can occur late in the season; but what can you do? What procedures/methods of beekeeping do you use at this time of year when there is a honey flow? Thanks.

[Oldbee]

My "search" on Beesource about this revealed that most beekeepers feel that the LEAST amount of inspections that you have to do [unless an emergency] is better for YOU and the BEES. For VERY new beekeepers with an unbounded curiosity after installing a package; I understand.

[Dave W]

I try to stay out of the brood chambers when I have honey supers on. I do shift/lift off shallows, but only as little as possible.

When bees are making honey, let 'em alone!

[Oldbee]

Yes, Dave W., I agree with your statement. I suppose it depends on the area that a beekeeper is in and the amount of nectar flow. For my area the weather is usually hot/warm; the bees are hot; I'am hot and hope I have done all manipulations needed in the brood boxes long before this time of year. After the summer/honey supers have been removed, I will go in to the brood area and decide what needs to be done for the late summer/fall flow for each hive. Thanks.

[Budster]

I shift supers too, and will usually only "peer" down into the brood chamber for capped brood. If I see some, I'm pretty much satisfied. Now, after supers are removed, its time (I feel) for a thourough fall inspection with mite treatments, etc, not that I can or have time for a queenless hive this late in the ball game. I know that bees can get "grumpy" during a dearth, and, here in Ohio, the local inspectior does a complete inspection around late June to early July. I'll look at his written report he leaves (Not bad for $5 per year), and work around his observations and suggestions.