Opening The Hive

[papabear]

How often is too often to open the hive? Do I have to smoke the bees every time? Because if I could, I like to open if Twice a week. :-P Thanks for the help

[buzzbee]

If it's warm and your wanting to learn,thats probably not too much,
But if you are trying for maximum buildup or honey production you only want to look when
its needed.

[Understudy]

Like Buzzbee said. new beekeepers are always looking in their hives. After the newness wears off. I would say once a week maybe.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Michael Bush]

>How often is too often to open the hive?

When you're learning you need to balance what you need to do to learn with what's best for the bees.  You'll get more honey if you leave them alone and you'll learn more if you take peek now and then.  I'd enjoy learning.

> Do I have to smoke the bees every time?

You don't ever have to.  But a puff of smoke does wonders and upsets them less than a defensive alarm.

> Because if I could, I like to open if Twice a week.

Go ahead.  Better yet get an observation hive and watch them every night:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm