This is my first time creating an online forum.  I hope this is useful and adds to the class experience.  If you have any ideas or suggestions on how I could improve the forum, things you's like to see, or new topics you would like to add - please let me know.

Steve

Captain Kirk wrote Did I understand correctly on Monday that latex examination gloves would be a reasonable substitute for bee gloves?

I think a beginner beekeeper should have some good beekeeping gloves.  Billy uses latex for several reasons: First, he moves between a lot of hives and he doesn't want to contaminate other hives and latex is easily disposed of.  Secondly, he can feel better.  Third, and most important, he has worked bees for a long time and can handle a hive so as to not get stung very often.  Sometimes you are involved in some serious manipulation of a hive and using bee gloves is your only option.  I strongly suggest getting some bee gloves and start using the latex as you become more confortable with it.

I found another beekeeper in the Frederick Beekeepers group that will be starting out on a TBH this year, also.