Veil repair

[WantToBeeLady]

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about veil repair? 

[Perry]

If it isn't in your line of vision, duct tape on the inside and out.

[iddee]

Needle and thread.

[Jen]

And thread the same color as the veil. I have two colors, dark green, black.

[tecumseh]

a hobby style heat activated glue gun.

[G3farms]

The first veil I had was a square folding type. The metal screen wire had rusted on the edges and the cotton thread had rotted. I put masking tape (never heard of duct tape at the time) on the screen edges and took the needle and thread to it. Still sitting around in the garage somewhere, been many many moons ago.

[efmesch]

Like G3, I have had the metal screening on veils rust away (drops of sweat encourage the process).  Plastic or fiber-glass window screen stiched in place of the removed metal screen is cheap, permanent, and easy to handle.  Just make sure that the edges are doubled over before you do the stiching, otherwise the edges will quickly pull out and make your repair worthless.

[Riverrat]

30,000 bees in a hive 3 will find their way in when mad. Dont tick them off no repair needed. Problem solved

[WantToBeeLady]

Thanks for all the good advice.  Since the tears are in my line of vision....tape is not going to work, although I do like the way you are thinking.  In the meantime I ordered some #10 vinyl mesh and I'll just replace the ripped section.  The suggestion for the glue gun is a good one too.  That would work for small holes.

As for don't make them mad and they won't sting you....that is not happening with this hive.  I get stung every time.  Smoke them...wait a while..still mad.  With the suit, veil and leather gloves...still got stung.  There's four huge welts on my inner arm right now from this morning's fiasco.  Would you suggest requeening?  The hive is very productive...with a nasty disposition.

[apisbees]

  Would you suggest requeening?  The hive is very productive...with a nasty disposition.

That is the trade off on the genetics of hives. Commercial and larger Hobby are willing to put up with a nasty hive if it produces well. By going through nicer hives they can cet a handle on what the conditions are like so when they get to the nasty hives they have a plan and just do what is needed and move onto the next hive with out doing a thorough inspection. As a hobbyist with very few hives and with each inspection a learning experience. If the aggressiveness is keeping you from inspecting that hive, I would replace the queen. If you don't mind the occasional sting and their aggressiveness is not a hindrance or making you uneasy then The decisions is yours. Just keep in mind that from now to the end of the year with dearths and having to rob honey, they most likely wont get any happier to see you till about the dandelion bloom next spring.

[WantToBeeLady]

Apisbee, I think you are correct about this hive. It's my first and I wanted to learn from it  My plan is to suit up...tape my sleeves and not overdo inspections.  Which I haven't been able to do a thorough one anyway.  When I am just approaching the hive the buzz gets noticeably louder...not nice at all...then attack mode starts. And that's every time...

In the meantime, I've joined our county bee association and have been fortunate enough to get an accomplished member to be my mentor.  She has tons of hives in her bee yard that she can use help with.  She's in her 80's so she can be the teacher and I'll be the worker bee, that's how she put it.  And I'm ok with that....I have lots to learn and she has much to share.  If I can't do much with my nasty hive, then at least I can still get hands on elsewhere.

Thanks for all your advice....I'm so glad I found this forum.