Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING => Topic started by: ozebee on June 24, 2013, 11:24:07 pm

Title: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: ozebee on June 24, 2013, 11:24:07 pm
I had several hives sitting on normal pallets at a bush property. To my surprise, the pallets were quickly demolished by termites and even one of the  bottom boards in a hive was virtually totally eaten. I only noticed it when I was cleaning it and my hive tool just went right through!

Well, that got me thinking on a stand which would prevent such a problem. Attached are a couple of photos of a very simple to make stand, which uses post stands concreted into cement blocks with space left on top for filling with oil (or similar liquid) which will provide a barrier against any crawly insects such as ants and termites.


(http://s24.postimg.org/b6dgod5ip/2013_06_22_15_46_41.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/b6dgod5ip/)

(http://s21.postimg.org/jrycpry6r/2013_06_22_15_47_14.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/jrycpry6r/)

The space at the ends and in the middle is such that when inspecting the hives, individual frames can be dropped in a rested or else complete boxes can be rested.
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: Anybrew on June 25, 2013, 03:10:38 am
I like that 8-)
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: squidink on June 25, 2013, 07:27:50 pm
Looks great mate! That will stop the termites getting to the hives! Plus will be better for your back too.
Ben
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: CJ on June 25, 2013, 07:57:39 pm
Looks great!
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: ziffabeek on June 26, 2013, 10:12:37 am
I love this!! I sent the link to my husband.  I hate those pesky ants under the top cover!

Now to begin the work of convincing him to build it!! :)

Thanks for the post and the idea!

love,
ziffa
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: Lone on July 02, 2013, 10:14:42 am
Hello Ozebee,

It looks really good. 

A few minor points..

If the grass grows up, the black ants can climb onto the stand. They generally are not much of a problem, though some varieties, such as meat ants, can bother bee hives.  You'd have to visit the site fairly regularly or put something down to suppress the grass.

If cane toads decide they like the Sydney clime, your bees will all be gobbled up at that height.  Hopefully the few you have there will move back to Queensland, because we don't like anyone taking our cane toads.

Some white ants will build mounds that reach up to what they eat.  It happened in the saddle shed here and though the horse ropes were hanging off the ground, they built a mound and ate the good ropes.

We have special wildlife in QLD.

Lone
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: ozebee on July 03, 2013, 03:38:36 am
Thanks for your valuable comments Lone.

I hope to be visiting the site often enough to keep the grass down and kick down any attempts by termites to build a mound up to the timber!
I guess the first year will show how successful this design is but I am sure it will be better than the 4 timber pallets that barely lasted a year!
Lets hope the cane toads find Sydney too cold to venture down to......
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: Better.to.Bee.than.not on July 03, 2013, 05:25:16 am
you could use something to block the rain from washing into the oil pit probably. otherwise not bad, hope it works out well for you.
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: Lone on July 03, 2013, 10:41:53 am
By the way,(on a different topic) :stayontopic: the fellas used half sized blocks with concrete up to about the same level to keep the new extractor up at the right height to fit the 20 litre drum under, and which also can be filled with an ant barrier in case we leave the extractor for a while for smoko or something like that. It's real stable. It sounds like you think of the same things.

Quote
Lets hope the cane toads find Sydney too cold to venture down to......

 I seem to recall it was you lot had the 47 degree day not too long back.

Quote
you could use something to block the rain from washing into the oil pit probably. otherwise not bad, hope it works out well for you.

We tend to put covers over the front oil cans because there are always a lot of dead bees in there.  Maybe someone can answer this, whether it's bees who go there to die at the end of their days, or if it's more likely they veer too close and accidently drown?

Lone
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: Inquorate on September 28, 2013, 07:29:21 pm
A good clue would be the state of their wings; frayed means they were on their last days.
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: BeeMaster2 on September 29, 2013, 01:27:00 am
Usually it is bees bearding , especially at night.
Jim
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: Meadlover on December 01, 2013, 06:56:57 pm
Very nice design. Great work.

I agree with other comments to cover the oil to prevent the oil washing out during heavy rain.
Another option would be to smear grease on the legs - it stands up better to rain and wont wash off as easy.
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: Lone on December 01, 2013, 10:20:40 pm
I just bought a tube of Tree Tanglefoot from Green Harvest for my stingless bee hive.  It stays on longer than grease or vaseline, and doesn't get runny on a hot day.
Title: Re: Ant proof hive stand
Post by: ozebee on December 01, 2013, 10:22:12 pm
Good idea about the grease!!  I have found that the oil disappears too quickly - either rain or actually seeps through the cement blocks. Probably they  need to be sealed properly.