Author Topic: Seeing eggs (Read 12064 times)

Woody Roberts · « **on:** March 15, 2014, 12:15:39 am »

I see a lot of posts on different forums that people say they can't see eggs.
I suspect a good many of us have that over 40 thing going on with our eyes and need one pair of glasses just to find our glasses.

I generally don't have an issue. I put my readers on when I'm in the hive and can usually make them out.

However now the reason for the thread. I bought a small LED flashlight that I keep in my jacket pocket.
It has the same effect on eggs as the old black lights had on white clothes. You do remember those don't you Jen?

This works so well I just thought I'd pass it on. $3.00 at wal mart.

Jen · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2014, 12:31:16 am »

WHAT!?! You think I'm a hippy or sumthin'

?

Jen · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2014, 12:36:00 am »

Actually, I think that LED flashlight is a very cool idea. I'm in my hives tomorrow and we have a couple of those lights around here somewhere....

Slowmodem · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2014, 02:00:10 am »

Quote from: Woody Roberts on March 15, 2014, 12:15:39 am

I bought a small LED flashlight that I keep in my jacket pocket.
It has the same effect on eggs as the old black lights had on white clothes. You do remember those don't you Jen?

This works so well I just thought I'd pass it on. $3.00 at wal mart.

I'll have to try that out. That's a great idea! With that and my magnifying glass, I should be able to see something.

apisbees · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2014, 06:06:06 am »

Great tip. I don't have a problem as long as I can get the sun to shine into the bottom of the cells. the trouble is my big head gets in the way and blocks the sun. A forehead band light would work good? Well maybe not if you wear a veil.

tecumseh · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2014, 06:34:48 am »

I do need good light to see larvae well or eggs at all. The kind of veil you use can have a significant part to play is this also. My old alexander veil with it's black metal screen and wider mesh will allow you to see much much more detail than any of the veils made with fabric material with the tighter mesh.

apisbees · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2014, 06:38:58 am »

very good point Tec. I might have a harder time if I had to look thru a veil. but with out one I am still good at seeing them.

Perry · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2014, 06:47:55 am »

I agree, the type of veil you use definitely matters. The new ones are much harder to spot eggs through, the old metal screen is easier. I have to take my glasses off to be able to see them and that is not always convenient when you have a veil on.

Woody Roberts · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2014, 07:27:36 am »

The veil is how I found this. With my old metal veil with big screen I was fine. Got a new jacket with small fabric mesh and couldn't see thru it.
I tried a regular flashlight but it wasn't that much help. Tried the LED and the light come on so to speak.

It actually works better if the sun isn't shining in the cells. The eggs appear to be phosphorus.

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2014, 09:36:10 am »

I bought a head strap magnifier with lights at Harbor Freight that works good, but is hard to keep on under the veil. Thanks Woody i'll try the LED light. Jack

blueblood · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2014, 10:34:37 am »

Good tip Woody, I have several of those lights. I can't wait to give it a whirl.

mamapoppybee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2014, 10:54:14 am »

this is a fab idea gonna see what i can find and add to my supplys

barry42001 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2014, 10:59:17 am »

I find it of course it's probably nothing new, but if you tip the frame upside down with the sun over your shoulder, the lights up the bottom of the cell and finding eggs and tiny larvae is not a issue.

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barry42001 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2014, 11:00:49 am »

Note nectar will dribble out if you take too much time upside down lol

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riverbee · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2014, 12:16:36 pm »

woody~
"I suspect a good many of us have that over 40 thing going on with our eyes and need one pair of glasses just to find our glasses."

.......

and over 50 too! i have to wear readers, and also use a magnifier.

Jen · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2014, 12:19:12 pm »

Riv ""....... and over 50 too! i have to wear readers, and also use a magnifier.""

Ditto

barry42001 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2014, 01:58:01 pm »

Lol tri focals here 20/35

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barry42001 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 15, 2014, 03:49:59 pm »

by the way when I inpected the hives today and photographed the brood frames, on my cell phone you can see eggs in the bottom of the cell, but something is lost in clarity when you get it to the site

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Woody Roberts · « **Reply #18 on:** March 15, 2014, 11:56:37 pm »

I was hoping someone tried this out today.

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2014, 09:59:30 am »

Woody, i was going to yesterday, but went to the club auction and by the time (3:00pm) i got home the temp. had dropped and the bees had quit flying. The queens hadn't started laying much in my outyards up north, only 2 hives out of the 26 had more than two frames of brood. Thanks for the idea, maybe these old eyes can see eggs again, i can still read without my glasses, but with them on it's alot easier.

Jack