Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: AliciaH on March 21, 2011, 09:32:58 pm
-
I'm a mentor this year and I went to visit my new mentoree who has a hive that looks like this:
(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/1418/shive02.th.jpg) (http://img824.imageshack.us/i/shive02.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
It's about 1/2" wider than a standard Langstroth (inside measurement), and it was sold with only 9 frames, so there's a lot of extra space. The bottom seems to be permanently attached, and it comes with a telescoping cover but no inner cover.
I'm going to have to take a standard Langstroth box up to her and see if we can modify it in some way for a 2nd brood chamber. I think lengthwise it will be okay, the inner length measurement is very close, the the extra width might mess things up.
It's just that I've never seen a box like this before and I don't understand the differences. I was just wondering if anyone knew the logic behind the thinking in it's construction? My first inclination is to add a 10th frame to both boxes to remove the overabundance of space, but I don't want to mess up a functional system if one already exists. 'Tis a fine line between genius and insanity after all.
She received the kit for Christmas from her kids. The kit included: One deep box with 9 plastic frames; 1 queen excluder; 1 honey super with 9 plastic frames; and a telescoping lid. I'm not a wood expert but it smells really nice. I suspect cedar.
-
This is the Apple version of a bee hive, called an iHive. A non standard and half finished design ;)
I’m just one level above a novice on woods, but it looks like cedar from here (Thuja Plicata).
I would guess the hive design is really more based on the whim of a woodworker than trying to follow a standard design. You can probably adapt to make it work though. At least standard frames fit, that is a good thing.
I can’t tell for sure from the photo, but it looks like the design might also be using bottom bee space (with the frames flush to the top of the box.) This is also non standard and somewhat problematic.
I’ld buy another frame and stick it in there to have an even 10, leave gaps on the sides. If you want to put a standard body over this thing you could nail a ¾ x 1.5” x body length board onto the inside of the original hive to keep the water out and bees in where the bodies would sit over each other.
You could leave the odd bottom box on if you want. The bees will comb those frames down and you will have super sized comb. However that will be awkward to handle. It might the best to replace that bottom box with a ring of ¾” lumber on the bottom instead of the bottom box. That gives you a near normal sized bottom board.
Another option would be to fill the bottom box with something and go with a top entrance.
It’s always something, isn’t it!
-
This is the Apple version of a bee hive, called an iHive. A non standard and half finished design ;)
:lau:
You could leave the odd bottom box on if you want. The bees will comb those frames down and you will have super sized comb. However that will be awkward to handle. It might the best to replace that bottom box with a ring of ¾” lumber on the bottom instead of the bottom box. That gives you a near normal sized bottom board.
Actually, that whole bottom piece is attached! To make things more curious, the entrance that you see here actually incorporated a "step up" design on the inside. Sort of like you'd 'step up' into a living room. I worry about bees during the winter who not only may have to push their way through a pile, but dig their way through it, as well.
I think, unless someone comes up with a reason for the extra space, go ahead and have the owner add a 10th frame. I know a number of beekeepers that run a standard Langstroth is 9 frames, this will be the same concept, given the extra width.
If you want to put a standard body over this thing you could nail a ¾ x 1.5” x body length board onto the inside of the original hive to keep the water out and bees in where the bodies would sit over each other.
I hadn't gotten far enough to think about water wicking through a seam that a standard box on top of this thing would make, so thanks for that. We'll have to brainstorm a bit. I'll also take a look at the bee space at the top.
-
This is the Apple version of a bee hive, called an iHive. A non standard and half finished design ;)
:lau:
You literally took the words right out of my mouth, as I hit "post" it said someone else had.
-
how do you clean the bottom board if it's attached? an inner cover will help with the top, but i agree about putting another frame in.
-
My crystal ball shows much trouble in the near future. I suggest she buy a langstroth hive body and bottom before the tears begin to fall.
-
That was my first thought, too, Kathy. When I first looked inside I tried to lift out what looked like an insert (giving it the 'raised living room' look), but it wouldn't come out. Then I spotted the holes from the finish nailer.
Iddee, I came to the same conclusion over dinner.
If it was just one issue, maybe, but there are so many. From the fixed bottom to the funky spacing, the list goes on. Or, maybe if she already had a few years under her belt. But her first season combined with a funky hive? The equipment should be the easy part!
Thanks, everyone!
-
I think with a division board it could be kept for a tandem pair of nucs - just to let two three-frame splits build up enough to go into a real hive. (may have been the reason for the slight extra space in the design)
-
Okay, folks, I have a website! They are an established maker of ceder hives. They mention 5, 6, 7, and 8 frame hives, but not 9 or 10, so I'm still lost!
I have emailed them my questions and hope they respond soon. As noted many times, there are as many ways to keep bees as beekeepers. If I can understand what the intent of the modifications are, they might be easier to follow, so I'm eager for the explanation.
Bee Happy: If there is a way to remove/clean the bottom board that the maker can clue me in on, your idea would be a great use for that extra space! But for a first season beek....?
I'll let you know what I find out.
-
Bee Happy: If there is a way to remove/clean the bottom board that the maker can clue me in on, your idea would be a great use for that extra space! But for a first season beek....?
I'll let you know what I find out.
No argument there, it just popped into my head that that would be a better use for it, since it probably wouldn't be for overwintering that way.
-
My crystal ball shows much trouble in the near future. I suggest she buy a langstroth hive body and bottom before the tears begin to fall.
I would not use It at is non standard.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
-
Is there any way to find out who the "designer" (seller) was? It looks to me as someone just trying to make some money in woodworking without having a clue on beekeeping.
I mean....I like to invent things but I try to keep my inventions to scale :evil:
gaucho10
-
Is there any way to find out who the "designer" (seller) was? It looks to me as someone just trying to make some money in woodworking without having a clue on beekeeping.
I mean....I like to invent things but I try to keep my inventions to scale :evil:
gaucho10
I too would like to know who sells these,too see the Options :-D
maybe its odd due too using recycled wood ?and could be
their niche' in the big game of recycle :-\
I wonder if the Gap is for a Feeder
Hope they go with a real bee box
JMHO
Tommyt
-
I am finding that the hardest thing about this mentoring-thing is not making decisions for my student. It's hard though...really hard. Okay, here we go.....I got a response from the people that make these hives:
1. They have found the extra space beneficial for ventilation.
2. Their claim is that because the box is red ceder (as opposed to white ceder), that they do not have problems with pesky other bugs. I can see that for moths, but they are also claiming it to be true for varroa.
3. They apparently have had no issues with cleaning out dead bees, though they really didn't address that point directly.
My mentoree wants to keep this box so this is what I told her:
1. She will initially use the added space for a frame feeder, then I told her to add a 10th frame (because then the spacing will be very similar to a 9-frame set up in a standard 10-frame langstroth).
2. I had no foundation to dispute their claims. That I would do further research. But that if she wanted to keep the hive, that that point was an "unknown".
3. The ability to clean out the bottom would be addressed when necessary.
4. That I highly recommended she have a proper inner cover, but that she could make one.
5. It had to be okay that if she needed additional equipment for this hive, she only had one source to go to.
6. If she ever expands to a 2nd hive...get standard equipment.
Yes, we have discussed varroa, yes we have discussed nosema and dysentery, yes we have discussed the way bees build wax in wierd places when there is too much room, and a whole bunch of other things.
She has so many things on her plate right now that this is the direction she will go this year. I think it will be a very interesting year.
For those of you who are curious, you can view the boxes at beeboxpeople.com. Though the box she has most closely resembles the "standard climate garden box" at the top of their Products page. Hers is more than 8 frames though.
-
My personal thoughts.....
Checking into that web page.....
1. Main Page.....Boardman Feeder ??????? Oh Boy....
2. <All of our boxes are hand built in our shop> As opposed to ???????
3. <We use no treatment or preservatives>.....<We also offer an oil based (non-latex) finish>....OK ???
4. <We recommend that you do not mix plastic and wood together in your box>....Why not ?
I personally do not like to use plastic in the first place but I have used plastic "drone frames" in
conjunction with wood frames w/o a problem. Bees tend to take tooooo long to draw out plastic but
that's another story.
5. <Our boxes are hand built only in the USA>.....Do other countries import bee boxes into the USA?
I am only aware of American distributors.
6. Those boxes and covers look complicated and perhaps carry extra weight with all that extra trim......
KISS !!!!! There was only one box that looked interesting and which I believe I saw on one of Finski's
posts. That's the one that had the really thick walls that I believe was insulated.
I think that if someone (newbee) is going to start with ALL new equipment they should go with the standard size. Even all the well known suppliers here in the USA build their equipment with some slight differences which could affect equipment mixing at a later time. Try to buy from same manufacturer. A DIY'fer off course could do whatever he/she pleases.
gaucho10
-
< I personally do not like to use plastic in the first place but I have used plastic "drone frames" in
conjunction with wood frames w/o a problem. Bees tend to take tooooo long to draw out plastic >
gaucho10 ..........
You can find wax foundation for Drone Brood the put it in wooden frames and mark the top bars some how to help you find the drone frame(s).
Just my $0.02
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
-
Jim 134,
I know that....I was just commenting on the fact that you COULD use plastic and wood together. I don't bother buying brood frames anyway....I just let the bees draw out whatever/wherever they want. :-D
-
4. <We recommend that you do not mix plastic and wood together in your box>
Oh, that's rich! Unless they were referring to the mixture of plastic and wood frames, then that's too funny. The frames they sold with the box were entirely plastic.
And I caught the boardman feeder. There is another hive in a yard very close to where this hive is being installed, so that conversation has already happened, too.
Seriously, though, this gal has a lot on her plate right now, including the fact that her boy is about to deploy to Afghanistan on Monday. This hive can work, it's just not going to be easy or straightforward.
-
My vote is save it for a nuc box whenshe needs to split or someone captures a swarm and offers it to her. Otherwise get her to buy a convential lang and show her the benefits. IMO
-
in my opinion, it looks like someone found some old pallets and a $10 jig saw and hacked them into pieces that would fit the frames. I'd say scrap it and start again. I am a green horn, but I have spent countless hour on research and that just doesn't look right.
-
Corvair, you make me laugh! The box is being used, primarily because she doesn't want to hurt her kids' feelings. The bees have built out the first bot and she is about to add the medium that came with the kit for a second brood chamber (I also found out she has back issues, so recommend she do this rather than get a 2nd deep).
After taking additional measurements, I found the extra width on the inside of the box is from the side walls being narrower than the wood used for standard boxes. She can actually stack standard equipment on top of this stuff, but some modification is needed because the materiels that provide the overall length are longer, so water is going to sit on the parts sticking out and possibly leak inside. She does have a neighbor that is a woodworer and he was there when she installed the bees. I showed and explained a couple of things to him that she would need and he's willing to help...in exchange for honey, of course! :)
I know, I know, it would have been easier to get new equipment.
What worries me is the eventual varroa issue. We've talked about it and talked about it, but she's in her honeymoon phase with the bees and I don't think it's really sinking in how difficult it will be to check for varroa, let alone treat (keep the hive clean), with a fixed bottom board.
Time will tell, there's always the possibility that she could get lucky. But it's more likely that a hard lesson is about to be learned.
What I'm upset about this company that made the box. Of course, they totally took advantage of the kids' lack of knowledge! But they also sold both boxes with only 9 frames inside! What is up with that? This gal had to go invest additional money to find more frames to fill the space (I know frames aren't real expensive, it's just the principle). They say that their bees have no problem with the extra space...really? Well of course the bees don't, they probably just build burr comb everywhere! Do they even keep bees? Because I'm wondering, seriously, if they do.
Okay, my carefully repressed attitude about this box is coming out, so I'm going to sign off now.
Sunny days and smiles, everyone!
-
WOW!
"Do they even keep bees? Because I'm wondering, seriously, if they do."
Bee Box People; With over 30 years experience in the bee world, we are happy to answer any questions or to offer suggestions on how to get started.
30 years experience in the bee world? Thats obviously meant to deceive potential suckers in my opinion. 30 years among the bees and they would no be building these coble jobs. Grade school writing ability has me really impressed!
Bee Box People; All of the boxes are handbuilt in our shops, using carefully selected cedar boards.
If you ask me, They have a good supply of scrap cedar that is carefully selected from! It does not take much experience to see that all boxes are two boards deep and pieced together with that wonderful looking fancy trim.
In my opinion, every peice of equipment shown on website is a coble job. And thats their best work.
These poor children were probably the first customers. Im disturbed by this. Building stuff like this for use by self is one thing but..... Come on.
-
30 years experience could mean combined. Like 30 people with one year experience equals 30 years. I still suggest that she start picking up meduiums and eventually transfer them out of that box. I still think use it for splits. Made buy her a copy of CIG to beekeeeping or beekeeping for dummies to suppliment her education. You can't force, merely suggest, educate and guide her.
-
You can't force, merely suggest, educate and guide her.
Gently, of course, with a very pointed stick! :)
She's a nice woman, we've already established that if she wants to expand, to do it with standard equipment. Maybe if that happens an she sees how much easier it will be, she'll eventually trade out the currant hive.
I'm also waiting for the weather to be a bit more consistant and have her to my place. Soon, very soon, I hope!
-
maybe when she sees your set up, she have a WOW moment. And say "that's much better, I want that" If not keep your stick handy.
-
The entrance reminds me of a Warre hive. I have noticed that the "Standard" Lang hive is standard in name only as makers seem to delight in small differences.
Perhaps an "adapto kit" could be made in a form of inner cover that would mate a standard lang to the bottom boxes.
I seldom poke around in the brood boxes unless I feel there is a problem so leaving the bottom alone would not bother me much.
-
how would that work if you reversed the brood boxes?
-
you obviously would not revers boxes. You can move frames too you know. When keeping one or two colonies, you have a little freedom to improvise.
-
>1. They have found the extra space beneficial for ventilation.
Extra space will be filled with comb.
>2. Their claim is that because the box is red ceder (as opposed to white ceder), that they do not have problems with pesky other bugs. I can see that for moths, but they are also claiming it to be true for varroa.
I've build many cedar boxes out of scrap siding over the years. There is no difference in wax moths or Varroa.
-
Nope, can't reverse the boxes, not with a fixed bottom like that.
Michael: Believe me, the first thing I did once the builder responded to my questions was start another thread about cedar boxes and varroa, just to make sure. Sure enough, everyone answered with a resounding, "Nope, cedar's not gonna help you with varroa."
The update is that the Bee Box people did send additional frames to fill up the space. They say it was an "oversite" that the boxes left the shop without all frames intact. Could be, I suppose. Doesn't matter now. She's got what she needs and is off and running. Her bees are looking good, the queen is laying an absolutely beautiful pattern and they are working on filling the second brood chamber, which is a western.
-
Her bees are looking good, the queen is laying an absolutely beautiful pattern and they are working on filling the second brood chamber, which is a western.
And the kids are pleased that mom is having fun with her new hobby using the present that they bought her. You did good.