Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: Frantz on December 11, 2007, 12:27:34 pm

Title: Thanks for all the direction!!!
Post by: Frantz on December 11, 2007, 12:27:34 pm
Thanks guys all of you. With your guidance I have now built about 12 deeps and just getting started on my mediums. Only 3 of those so far. I found a lumber mill over here that has end cuts that they just give away. Most are about 30-32" long and about 14" wide so perfect for the hive bodies. I have been thrilled to actually use the table say and such for something. The material is all doug fir, or other pine so I think that it will work ok. I am working on my plans for SBB's and caps. I have read all the posts and will work through my plans and let you guys know. I am so new to this but it is fun learning.
Question,,, none of the hives I got, 13 of them, 12 with bees one without, had inner covers?? I wonder why, they look like they were abandoned for a while... Just a thought.. Let me know what you guys think..
Thanks
F
Title: Re: Thanks for all the direction!!!
Post by: randydrivesabus on December 11, 2007, 01:25:33 pm
did they have telescoping outer covers or migratory covers? migratories have no inners.
Title: Re: Thanks for all the direction!!!
Post by: Frantz on December 11, 2007, 01:38:09 pm
I guess they would be migratory covers. I have a telescoping cover that I bought to copy, but the covers that are on all the hives now just sit on top. I guess the telescoping covers need the inner to prevent the propolis from sticking them down to hard?? As I said I am so new to this, I am learning as I go. I was thinking that I should get some 1 1/2" think rigid foam board and cover them on top for a little extra help with the cold. We have about 3 feet of snow now, and temps in the teens at night. What do you think? I am keeping the entrances clear and they seem to be flying on warmer days.. So ?? I just don't want to fail these little buggers but doing or not doing something?? Didn't even get a chance to check their stores before the snows. They felt pretty heavy though when I took them out there.
All advice is welcome.
F
Title: Re: Thanks for all the direction!!!
Post by: Scadsobees on December 11, 2007, 02:10:18 pm
Migratory covers fit the top of the hive pretty well, and only have a lip on the front and back.  That way hives can be pushed tightly togather side by side.  No inner cover, the propolis seal can be cracked easily at the sides.

Telescoping covers dont NEED inners, but then it is more difficult to get them off.  The inner cover is nice too because it usually provides some ventilation and bees can hang out up there.  If they aren't there it could just be a cost/availability thing...not all my hives have inner covers...I've been too busy making other things.

It wouldn't hurt to put some insulation above.  I don't know how much it will help either.

How heavy is pretty heavy?  100+ lbs per hive?  If so then they are probably ok.  The only thing that you can do at this point (Climate difference, assuming similar to me if you have temp in teens) is if you don't think that they have enough stores to put granulated sugar on them or a candy board.  If they have been neglected then they probably have enough (assuming that they didn't pull honey off of them).

rick