Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[eussrh]

i plan on inserting a package of bees into my newly constructed Perone mk2 hive this weekend. After some reading, it seems that one problem with Perone hives is the bees absconding because the volume is too big. Especially if it is a package and not a prime swarm.

For my Kenyan topbars, I usually reduce the volume initially by putting a divider in. I am thinking of doing the same for the Perone. I built it with removable topbars, instead of a grid so it is possible to do. I can leave out the spales initially and insert a divider after maybe 4 topbars. After they have accepted their new home, I can remove the divider and insert the spales. I know that for purists, this is against the Perone philosophy. But I really don't like finding empty hives.

What do people think of the idea? Has it been tried?

[zaunreiter]

To me it is a good and necessary idea.

[Adam Rose]

Perhaps Perone's are just too big ? I like the management style they embody but it seems to me like they are simply too wide.

[catchercradle]

Also seems good to me. Will think about it before taking a swarm to the one I hope to manage this year.

[eussrh]

Thanks, I'll let the group know how it goes.

[eussrh]

The bees are not liking new hive - My experiment with a Perone hive is failing. I introduced a package into the hive and they have released the queen, but they are not accepting the hive. I reduced the space inside with a divider to approximately 1/5 the total volume. But they still aren't accepting it.

I put them inside and they all come outside and beard around the entrance, leaving the inside almost empty. I have done this 4 times since Saturday and they always return outside. They stay outside even during thunderstorms and cool nights. There is comb inside, but they don't seem to care.

Should I give up and move them to a different hive? I have an empty Warre hive I can put them in.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cr6vwtcgxyb1y4x/perone%20hive%20bearding.jpg?dl=0

Thanks, Stephen

[mannanin]

Stephen,
For whatever reason it would appear that your package is not happy with your current set up. Given that you are now five days on since introduction, I would try moving them pretty quickly into your spare Warre. They really should be building comb by now and getting on with it. Do you have a decent amount of nectar available at the moment as they will need it to build. Good Luck.

[eussrh]

Thanks, it's been raining for a week. So no nectar flow, but I've provided syrup so they should have started doing something.

Anyway, I have placed the Warre hive on top of the Perone hive, so the bees can choose.

[eussrh]

At the suggestion of a local beekeeper, I painted potions of the hive interior with beeswax mixed with a few drops of lemongrass. The bees went inside the Perone hive and are now busy doing bee stuff with the comb. I will continue feeding them with the external feeder until they are established. I'll see how the colony grows and make a judgement later about opening up the rest of the hive.