How To Use A Quiet Box To Improve Hive Inspections

When performing hive inspections, beekeepers typically remove at least one frame from the brood box before inspecting the remaining frames. This creates space for the remaining frames to be moved in and out of the box with less risk of "rolling" the queen, a common issue for beginner beekeepers that can be a major setback for the colony. In addition, once the queen is identified it can be helpful to set aside the frame she's on before continuing the inspection for the same reason. So where do these set aside frames go?

Rather than placing them on the ground and leaning them against the hive, hoping the queen doesn't wander off into the grass, the simple solution is to use a quiet box. A quiet box is typically a 5-frame extra deep nuc box with a cover. When inspecting a hive, any frames that are removed can be placed inside the quiet box and covered. This not only helps prevent the accidental loss of the queen, but can also help keep the bees calm. Plus, the bees and brood will be protected from the heat and drying effects of the sun.

With The Keeper's Hive, you may need to remove up to four frames from the single deep brood chamber in order to reach the other four frames that are below the "spacer" box (the box above the queen excluder). Often, removing just two or three frames is sufficient to assess the health of your colony, but a quiet box becomes a very useful tool during inspections regardless of how many frames you end up removing.

The main downside of using a quiet box is that it adds an extra piece of equipment to your setup. The queen may also occasionally walk off the frame and onto the side wall of the box, requiring the beekeeper to relocate her and gently usher her back in the brood chamber. Along those lines, bees left in the quiet box after the frames have been replaced will need to be shaken or brushed back into the hive at the end of your inspection.

Despite these minor downsides, we highly recommend making a quiet box a standard piece of equipment in your apiary. We are planning to sell one in the future, but they can also be made fairly easily by modifying a 5 frame deep nuc. Quiet boxes provide a convenient and secure place to store frames and keep them out of harm's way while working within your hive, allowing you to focus on the task at hand with less stress. And they're especially helpful when positioned right next to the stool during seated inspections of The Keeper's Hive :)