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Author Topic: Top Bar Hive entrance modification  (Read 5207 times)

Offline HBW1412

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Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« on: February 09, 2011, 12:39:38 pm »
Hi everyone,

I was just on youtube and saw a video that talks about top bar hive entrances.  This was an interesting idea so I wanted to see what you all thought.  I'm in the process of building my top bar hives and will incorporate this idea into my design if you all think it's a good idea.

If you have time, go to youtube and type in "entrance modification for top bar hive" and tell me what you think.  It looks like a really good idea to me, but I am somewhat concerned about ventilation.

The entrance modification shown could cut way down on SHB and varroa mites not to mention be mouse proof.

I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks.
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Offline Tommyt

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2011, 02:05:01 pm »
Entrance modification for top bar hive

here is the link ??
whats to stop the bees from making comb in his Box entrance  :-D
 I do like it but as he said time ?
I am going to open mine on top like MB does his
EDITED
  If the sides were  cut down to 3/8 then there would
bee a wall of Bees
Now I'm thinking If I did it, I would cut the upper holes into a
rectangle entrance and make the bottom one a bit smaller

Tommyt
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Offline HBW1412

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2011, 02:49:54 pm »
I definitely can see how cutting the thickness down to 3/8" would prevent them building comb in the entrance box.  I guess their would be a wall of bees in the entrance box and SHB would nearly be eliminated, not the mention robbers.  That thin space would probably prevent them from building comb in the entrance box due to a lack of space too.

What about ventilation though.  Would the bees be able to ventilate the hive well enough to remove condensation from the inside?  I wonder if this would present a problem during the winter.  I know in the past couple of years we've seen more snow in my area than we've seen from about 1996 - 2008 combined.

I like the entrance that MBush talks about, but I thought the entrance box shown in the video might be better. 
(No offense MB, I think your site is top notch and full of great information)     
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Offline Keskin

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2011, 03:26:08 pm »
It could be good idea but not for drones.
I think serial goes on: Princes Leia's Attack to the Drones...
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Offline T Beek

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2011, 03:52:17 pm »
Very cool, I always like checking up on what Phil's been doing.  He cares deeply for honeybees and has brought much to the craft.  

That said, the one thing I changed when building a TBH using his plans was the entrance locations, mine were top entrance shimmed on one end, instead of his three hole bottom placement.  I believe top entrances let out "more than just heat" and that its a good thing they do.

His use of "plumbing tape" for a mouse guard was intriguing and will likely be experimented with.

thomas
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Offline HBW1412

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2011, 06:21:44 pm »
Keskin - Why would this not be a good idea for drones?  Is it because they would be to large to fit thru the holes?  Can anyone elaborate on this? Are there any other problems that this type of entrance presents? 
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Offline Robo

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2011, 06:54:37 pm »
It is a waste of time.  The whole thing is based on the false assumption that natural mite fall off rate is significant.   

BTW,  the bees won't build comb in that box,  they don't like to break up the nest.   That is why they don't build comb in vent boxes on Langstroth hives unless really cramped.
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Offline Keskin

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2011, 07:04:16 pm »
I used metal portable pollen traps  with holes like this entrance for gathering polen. Bees didn't like this entrance, they hesitated to getting in and out. Drones stucking holes and in peak times or increasing times of nectar, bees didn't want drones near brood. A big chaos in the hive...
But tommyt and MBush are most experienced masters. May be I done something wrong...

Sorry for bad English
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How many times I’ve wonder
and it still comes out the same.
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No matter how you look at it or think of it
You see it’s life and we just got to play the game.
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For curious people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAA_LUCb0QE&feature=related

Offline Robo

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2011, 07:34:30 pm »
Quote from: Keskin on February 09, 2011, 07:04:16 pm
Sorry for bad English

Keskin,

Your English is fine.  A lot better than my Turkish ;)

We appreciate your participating in the forum and sharing your thoughts and views.
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Offline hardwood

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2011, 07:59:35 pm »
That system looks like more work with little if any benefit.

Scott
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Offline Keskin

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2011, 08:07:08 pm »
Quote from: Robo on February 09, 2011, 07:34:30 pm
Quote from: Keskin on February 09, 2011, 07:04:16 pm
Sorry for bad English

Your English is fine.  A lot better than my Turkish ;)T

Impressive and curious...

Thank you very much for your kindness.
I will be here to learn, to know, to listen...
I'm a new beek so I could share my little experiences.
Merhaba...
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How many times I’ve wonder
and it still comes out the same.
                                              Conway Twitty

No matter how you look at it or think of it
You see it’s life and we just got to play the game.
                                              Sam Moore

For curious people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAA_LUCb0QE&feature=related

Offline slaphead

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2011, 11:57:23 pm »
Not sure how well this will work for varroa but it should reduce the amount of wind blowing straight into the hive.

Thank you for posting the video.

SH
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Offline T Beek

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2011, 09:10:54 am »
That was my thought as well, Michael.

thomas
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2011, 11:18:48 pm »
>I used metal portable pollen traps  with holes like this entrance for gathering polen. Bees didn't like this entrance, they hesitated to getting in and out. Drones stucking holes and in peak times or increasing times of nectar, bees didn't want drones near brood. A big chaos in the hive...
>But tommyt and MBush are most experienced masters. May be I done something wrong...

Probably you didn't do anything wrong.  Pollen traps always confuse the bees for a while as they are looking for an entrance they can get through without struggling and without losing their pollen, so of course, they don't like to go through the trap.  As far as the drones getting stuck, I assume that is the drone exit, you might want to enlarge them slightly so they don't get stuck.
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Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2011, 12:23:35 am »
Quote from: Keskin on February 09, 2011, 08:07:08 pm
Quote from: Robo on February 09, 2011, 07:34:30 pm
Quote from: Keskin on February 09, 2011, 07:04:16 pm
Sorry for bad English

Your English is fine.  A lot better than my Turkish ;)T

Impressive and curious...

Thank you very much for your kindness.
I will be here to learn, to know, to listen...
I'm a new beek so I could share my little experiences.
Merhaba...

Bir sey digal!  Spent a year at Sinop in 1968-9.
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Offline Keskin

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Re: Top Bar Hive entrance modification
« Reply #15 on: February 21, 2011, 03:19:31 am »
What a little world!
Once upon a time, we had red neighbours. Now we have more sexy than reds.
I will send you Sinop photos.
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How many times I’ve wonder
and it still comes out the same.
                                              Conway Twitty

No matter how you look at it or think of it
You see it’s life and we just got to play the game.
                                              Sam Moore

For curious people: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAA_LUCb0QE&feature=related
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