Manipulation Cloth Shot 1

A great aid when carrying out hive manipulation is a manipulation cloth. Its a very simple design with a rectangular metal frame and two pieces of cloth attached to each long side of the metal frame.

As I took the pictures you can see I was amazed at what a great bee calming tool this is, especially useful for beekeepers in more built up areas. Work through the gap in the manipulation cloth and when finished in that area simply slide the cloth to a new bit or if you require to walk away from the hive for something fold the longer flap over the gap.

What this does is stops the bees from flying straight up from the hive, except through the gap in the manipulation cloth, covering the gap or moving it to a new area then stops them flying up through it. This means there are less angry bees flying above the hive and around you.

The one featured in the photos is from Thorne but if you look at how its designed it really is very simple and even someone with poor DIY/Sewing skills could make it themselves.

Manipulation Cloth Shot 2

Manipulation Cloth Shot 3