Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Thebigflyin]

So as it turns out. I have also been thinking about bees and there defensive systems
With this in mind , one of the aspect not explored is the fact bees build twisted combs and depending on bee size comb spacing
Could this be a defensive thing
So with this in mind and to build a cheeper simple hive I have come up with this for this summer


Made from 2 scaffolding planks and not much more
If you surch YouTube for: Hancock alternative beehive
You should find it.

Concept is
Vertical hive
Noninvasive queen area
Beneficial bug area in main hive
Inspection via cam
Only robbed in spring

Build concept
No critical dimensions
Can be manhandeld by one person

[jumbleoak]

[BuffBum]

Thanks Kevin,
Gave me some ideas regarding sourcing timber.

[Thebigflyin]

Hi OK so if you look on Youtube for

hancock nonintrusive beehive 2

I have made another one but now with better sound, still terrible weather!!

see if this is better??

[jumbleoak]

The 2nd one is a lot better - thanks for re-doing it. Some people worry about right angle corners in bee-spaces, i.e. hollow trees have a round cross-section rather than rectangular, and the corners might allow nasty bugs to hide. I don't know if there is any basis for this. Anyway, it will be interestinfg to see how bees enjoy your hive, and good luck with it.

[Tavascarow]

Most scaffold boards are treated with chemicals that might harm the bees & possibly even humans consuming products from.
I'd be wary.
Ordinary sawn timber is cheap enough & readilly available IMHO.
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

[catchercradle]

Until recently I could get untreated boards that had some splits that would make them fail safety checks for scaff boards but would still have long enough sections to be perfect for hives. Unfortunately where they had their workshop the landlords massively hiked the rent and to date they have been unable to find replacement premises.

[Thebigflyin]

Hi. These are untreated bourds. They cost about &12.00 for a 2.9 m plank. And they are pretty good as they need to cary people. So a hive cost about £30.00

[BBC]

I've been making Long Hives (can take frames or top bars) from scaffold boards for some time now - it's a very good choice of material. Old, condemned boards are fine - I fill any cracks with automotive body filler (polyester) and paint 'em inside and out.

Absolutely no problems whatsoever with them - I calculate a 3ft hive with legs (ex pallet wood) and roof costs about £10. What's not to like ?

I have thought about making a vertical hive with these boards - I call this idea 'a chimney hive' - but it's just one of many ideas I've left on the back-burner and haven't got around to yet ...
_________________
Bees build Brace Comb for a reason, not just to be bloody-minded.

[Thebigflyin]

I like the name "chimney hive" to.

Ok , well I got my hive now installed where I want it, now I just need a swarm!!

my bees have been flying like mad today. we have a grave Yard about 300m away, and they seem to be foraging on them flowers,

Now thats huge carbon miles, if you think most of them flowers are flown in from abroad!!


Cheers

[Thebigflyin]

well update for anyone out there.

so I had a few swarms though the yard this summer, one I plonked into my "gardeners Beehive" (that is what I will be calling this bee-habitat.)

any how its now winter and they seemed to have filled the box since April quite eazaly.

I did give them a 2kg of fondant, more to prove a point than to feed them.

I have now removed all the honey boxes and replaced it with "kingspan " insulation and clingfilm.

saw a few zooming in and out to day , temp about 6 centegrade.

so all good for now

here is the vidio of me insulating the hive, sorry bee-habitat.

its a habitat as it is primerly for keeping bees and not for getting honey.

https://youtu.be/sThVz6vcaKM

[Thebigflyin]

Ja ja , another bad vidio from me!!

this time it me winterising my hive,
the TBH I use a duvet clingfilm
the HAH hive I use kingspan and clingfilm.

any how enjoy.

https://youtu.be/7U0K3ftr6yg

https://youtu.be/HIJsmtG3YL8

https://youtu.be/sThVz6vcaKM

[Barbara]

I would just like to say that it is really not necessary to wrap hives up like this in the UK climate. Just wanted to make that clear for any beginners viewing this and thinking that it is the norm and they need to get out and do this.
I have reservations about using so much plastic/clingfilm and concerns that the wood will be more likely to rot with being wrapped in it and not being able to breath.... just my opinion.