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Hill Country Hill Country BeekeepersBeekeepers

Derrick DevereuxDerrick Devereux ~ ~

BeekeeperBeekeeper

Chapter 3Chapter 3 The Bee Hive and its The Bee Hive and its

AccessoriesAccessories

A “colony” of honey bees is the A “colony” of honey bees is the biological term for a nest of Apis biological term for a nest of Apis

mellifera.mellifera.

A “hive” is a man-made container A “hive” is a man-made container designed to house a colony.designed to house a colony.

This section deals with the American version of This section deals with the American version of the standard 10 frame Langstroth Hive. the standard 10 frame Langstroth Hive. Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth, patented his Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth, patented his moveable-frame Hive in 1852. Designed on the moveable-frame Hive in 1852. Designed on the preservation of certain minimum distances preservation of certain minimum distances between combs. Bee space 1/4 to 3/8 inches is between combs. Bee space 1/4 to 3/8 inches is necessary to permit bee movement. To small necessary to permit bee movement. To small an area, bees fill it with propolis; gap space is an area, bees fill it with propolis; gap space is greater bees build extra comb. The simple box greater bees build extra comb. The simple box shape permitted standardizing and mechanizing shape permitted standardizing and mechanizing of handling. In short, the intractable problem of of handling. In short, the intractable problem of practical bee management had been solved.practical bee management had been solved.

The Bottom Board is the floor of the colony. It The Bottom Board is the floor of the colony. It consists of floor boards set into two side rails consists of floor boards set into two side rails with a block of wood across the back. There is with a block of wood across the back. There is a gap at the front to provide an entrance for the a gap at the front to provide an entrance for the colony. The grooves in the side rails that colony. The grooves in the side rails that accommodate the floor boards are off-center. accommodate the floor boards are off-center. This provides two possible settings, one with This provides two possible settings, one with narrow entrance and one wider. The Bottom narrow entrance and one wider. The Bottom board should be placed up off the ground on board should be placed up off the ground on blocks or similar water-proof material.blocks or similar water-proof material.

Bottom BoardBottom Board

Bottom BoardBottom Board

Wide Entrance Position. This Wide Entrance Position. This position is more common and has position is more common and has the advantage of accommodating the advantage of accommodating a Boardman feeder.a Boardman feeder.

Narrow Entrance Position.Narrow Entrance Position.

Since the late 1990s there has been Since the late 1990s there has been increases interest in the use of Bottom increases interest in the use of Bottom Boards with screen floors instead of solid. Boards with screen floors instead of solid. There is evidence that screen floors There is evidence that screen floors increase brood production and reduce the increase brood production and reduce the growth rate of parasitic varroa mites and growth rate of parasitic varroa mites and small hive beetles. Also known as IPM small hive beetles. Also known as IPM bottom boards.bottom boards.

Screened Bottom BoardScreened Bottom Board

Screened Bottom BoardScreened Bottom Board

Screened bottom board in Screened bottom board in place below a hive body.place below a hive body.

Screened bottom board.Screened bottom board.

Directly on top of the bottom board goes Directly on top of the bottom board goes one or two one or two hive bodieshive bodies,, sometimes called sometimes called deep supersdeep supers. The deep size provides for . The deep size provides for broad, uninterrupted egg-laying space for broad, uninterrupted egg-laying space for the queen, and as such this space is the queen, and as such this space is sometimes called the sometimes called the brood nestbrood nest. This is . This is the heart of the colony. It is here that the the heart of the colony. It is here that the queen produces brood and most of the queen produces brood and most of the management occurs that dictates success management occurs that dictates success or failure for the beekeeper. or failure for the beekeeper.

Hive BodiesHive Bodies

The purpose of honey supers is to provide The purpose of honey supers is to provide storage space for honey. As the name storage space for honey. As the name implies, supers are above, or “superior” to implies, supers are above, or “superior” to the brood nest. Honey supers come in the brood nest. Honey supers come in one of two sizes: Medium depth of 6-5/8 one of two sizes: Medium depth of 6-5/8 inches and a Shallow depth of 5-3/8 inches and a Shallow depth of 5-3/8 inches. A third exist, at 4-3/4 inches but inches. A third exist, at 4-3/4 inches but is for comb honey exlusively.is for comb honey exlusively.

Honey SupersHoney Supers

Hive Bodies/SupersHive Bodies/Supers

The standard super sizes, from the bottom up: a deep super or The standard super sizes, from the bottom up: a deep super or hive body, medium honey super, and shallow honey super.hive body, medium honey super, and shallow honey super.

Shallow Super 5-3/8” depthShallow Super 5-3/8” depth

Medium Super 6-5/8” depthMedium Super 6-5/8” depth

Deep Super(Hive Body) Deep Super(Hive Body)

9-5/8” depth9-5/8” depth

One hive body provides enough space for One hive body provides enough space for a good queen to produce an optimal a good queen to produce an optimal colony population of 50,000 to 60,000 colony population of 50,000 to 60,000 workers. Two hive bodies is considered workers. Two hive bodies is considered necessary by many beekeepers because necessary by many beekeepers because it provides a large space for winter food it provides a large space for winter food stores and relieves brood nest congestion stores and relieves brood nest congestion – a prime stimulant for swarming. There – a prime stimulant for swarming. There are two basic Hive configurations.are two basic Hive configurations.

Hive Bodies ConfigurationHive Bodies Configuration

Hive Bodies ConfigurationHive Bodies Configuration

Base Configuration #1: one hive body to house the queen and Base Configuration #1: one hive body to house the queen and brood, a queen excluder, and one or more honey suppers for food brood, a queen excluder, and one or more honey suppers for food stores.stores.

Hive Bodies ConfigurationHive Bodies Configuration

Base Configuration #2: two hive bodies for queen, brood, and Base Configuration #2: two hive bodies for queen, brood, and food stores. In either configuration this space is regarded as the food stores. In either configuration this space is regarded as the domain of the bees. Honey is Harvested from supers added domain of the bees. Honey is Harvested from supers added above this base configuration.above this base configuration.

The device is a metal or plastic gauged The device is a metal or plastic gauged such that the worker bees can freely pass such that the worker bees can freely pass through, but the larger queen cannot. It is through, but the larger queen cannot. It is placed between the brood nest and honey placed between the brood nest and honey supers, and its purpose is to exclude the supers, and its purpose is to exclude the queen – and her eggs and brood – from queen – and her eggs and brood – from the area of the hive dedicated to honey the area of the hive dedicated to honey production.production.

Queen ExcluderQueen Excluder

Queen excluders are useful in a one-hive body Queen excluders are useful in a one-hive body configuration, but not necessary with two configuration, but not necessary with two because of the because of the Honey BarrierHoney Barrier. In nature, a . In nature, a honey bee nest has a central core of brood with honey bee nest has a central core of brood with the honey stores above. Generally, a queen is the honey stores above. Generally, a queen is reluctant to cross this honey barrier and deposit reluctant to cross this honey barrier and deposit eggs above it. In a two-hive body configuration eggs above it. In a two-hive body configuration the the Honey BarrierHoney Barrier occurs naturally in the occurs naturally in the second hive body, but in a one-hive body second hive body, but in a one-hive body configuration it is likely to occur in the honey configuration it is likely to occur in the honey super.super.

Queen ExcluderQueen Excluder

Queen ExcluderQueen Excluder

A queen excluder goes between the brood nest and honey A queen excluder goes between the brood nest and honey supers. The wires are gauged to keep the relatively large queen supers. The wires are gauged to keep the relatively large queen out of the honey supers.out of the honey supers.

Foundation is a sheet of beeswax or plastic imprinted Foundation is a sheet of beeswax or plastic imprinted with the shape of hexagonal cells. Bees use foundation with the shape of hexagonal cells. Bees use foundation literally as the “foundation” or mid-rib upon which to literally as the “foundation” or mid-rib upon which to build their combs. The traditional is made of 100% bees build their combs. The traditional is made of 100% bees wax and has reinforcing wires embedded in it vertically. wax and has reinforcing wires embedded in it vertically. The vertical reinforcement is adequate for shallow or The vertical reinforcement is adequate for shallow or medium frames, but for deep frames additional medium frames, but for deep frames additional horizontal reinforcement is needed. Comb durability horizontal reinforcement is needed. Comb durability has motivated beekeepers to use plastic foundation has motivated beekeepers to use plastic foundation material. Its popularity has risen with a beeswax material. Its popularity has risen with a beeswax coating improving acceptance by bees, with easy coating improving acceptance by bees, with easy installation.installation.

FoundationFoundation

Plastic FoundationPlastic Foundation

Rigid Plastic Foundation is easy to install. Frames for this type Rigid Plastic Foundation is easy to install. Frames for this type foundation come with grooved top bars and bottom bars. The foundation come with grooved top bars and bottom bars. The foundation is simply snapped in place.foundation is simply snapped in place.

Standard hive bodies and supers are Standard hive bodies and supers are each made to accommodate 10 frames. each made to accommodate 10 frames. The size of the frame is specific to their The size of the frame is specific to their respective super. Each of these respective super. Each of these components “components “frames” a bees wax comb frames” a bees wax comb giving it rigidity, strength and uniform giving it rigidity, strength and uniform shape. A frame is comprised of four shape. A frame is comprised of four parts: A top bar, two end bars, and a parts: A top bar, two end bars, and a bottom bar. For construction/illustration of bottom bar. For construction/illustration of frames refer to FLB Book pages 36-39.frames refer to FLB Book pages 36-39.

FramesFrames

FrameFrame

A Frame consist of a top bar, 2 end bars, and one bottom bar. A Frame consist of a top bar, 2 end bars, and one bottom bar. The top bar and bottom bars each have grooves that face each The top bar and bottom bars each have grooves that face each other inwardly.other inwardly.

The inner cover fits on the top-most The inner cover fits on the top-most super, maintaining bee space and super, maintaining bee space and insulating dead air space. The insulating dead air space. The telescoping outer cover fits over the inner telescoping outer cover fits over the inner cover to provide weather protection.cover to provide weather protection.

Inner and Outer CoversInner and Outer Covers

Inner and Outer CoversInner and Outer Covers

Outer cover telescoping over Outer cover telescoping over the inner cover.the inner cover.

The inner cover.The inner cover.

When no nectar is avaliable to sustain the When no nectar is avaliable to sustain the colony during protracted dearth colony during protracted dearth beekeepers can mitigate by using beekeepers can mitigate by using numerous types of syrup feeders. To numerous types of syrup feeders. To make your syrup mix equal parts sugar make your syrup mix equal parts sugar and water in spring and in fall use 2 part and water in spring and in fall use 2 part sugar 1 part heated water.sugar 1 part heated water.

FeedersFeeders

A wooden or plastic base that slides into A wooden or plastic base that slides into the entrance of the hive and holds a the entrance of the hive and holds a inverted quart jar of syrup. Bees walk into inverted quart jar of syrup. Bees walk into a chamber inside the base and access a chamber inside the base and access the syrup through a perforated lid. the syrup through a perforated lid. Advantages: excellent way to feed water Advantages: excellent way to feed water during hot, dry spells, easy fill and don't during hot, dry spells, easy fill and don't have to open hive. Disadvantages: small have to open hive. Disadvantages: small amount, can promote robbing.amount, can promote robbing.

Boardman FeederBoardman Feeder

Boardman FeederBoardman Feeder

A Boardman feeder.A Boardman feeder.

This is an in-hive feeder shaped ruffly like This is an in-hive feeder shaped ruffly like a frame and made to lay along side a frame and made to lay along side frames in the brood nest. It can be frames in the brood nest. It can be constructed of wood, composite board, or constructed of wood, composite board, or plastic molded unit. Advantages: can be plastic molded unit. Advantages: can be placed next to bee cluster. placed next to bee cluster. Disadvantages: have to open the hive, Disadvantages: have to open the hive, bees drown.bees drown.

Division Board FeederDivision Board Feeder

Division Board FeederDivision Board Feeder

A division board feeder. The wooden block keeps A division board feeder. The wooden block keeps the walls from collapsing and the folded hardware the walls from collapsing and the folded hardware cloth in the reservoir minimizes bee drowning.cloth in the reservoir minimizes bee drowning.

Simply fill a 1 gallon plastic food storage Simply fill a 1 gallon plastic food storage bag with syrup and place directly on top of bag with syrup and place directly on top of the clustering bees, inclosing the space the clustering bees, inclosing the space with an empty shallow super. Make a 1 with an empty shallow super. Make a 1 inch cut in top of the bag so the syrup can inch cut in top of the bag so the syrup can well up. Advantages: Cheap, neat and well up. Advantages: Cheap, neat and less bees drown.less bees drown.

Disadvantage: have to open the hiveDisadvantage: have to open the hive

Plastic Food BagsPlastic Food Bags

Plastic Food Bag FeederPlastic Food Bag Feeder

Plastic food bag filled with syrup and placed on top of Plastic food bag filled with syrup and placed on top of the brood combs. A nick in the top releases the syrup. the brood combs. A nick in the top releases the syrup. The extra space is enclosed with an empty super. The extra space is enclosed with an empty super.

This method may constitute the only This method may constitute the only functional way to feed bees in an functional way to feed bees in an emergency starvation situation in winter. emergency starvation situation in winter. Most plastic pails hold 1 gallon heavy Most plastic pails hold 1 gallon heavy syrup(2 sugar to 1 water). Place the pail syrup(2 sugar to 1 water). Place the pail on the cluster with perforated lid down, on the cluster with perforated lid down, and enclose the space with an empty and enclose the space with an empty super and lid.super and lid.

Pails with Perforated LidsPails with Perforated Lids

Pails with Perforated LidsPails with Perforated Lids

A plastic 1 gallon pail with perforated lid.A plastic 1 gallon pail with perforated lid.

Beekeepers have recognized the calming Beekeepers have recognized the calming effect of smoke and used it in their effect of smoke and used it in their beehive manipulations. In 1870 Moses beehive manipulations. In 1870 Moses Quinby invented his smoker allowing for Quinby invented his smoker allowing for the first time, a practical means to direct the first time, a practical means to direct smoke where needed. Acceptable smoke where needed. Acceptable smoker fuels include pine straw, ground smoker fuels include pine straw, ground corn cobs, pelleted wood shavings, or corn cobs, pelleted wood shavings, or dried cow manure.dried cow manure.

SmokerSmoker

Beeswax FoundationBeeswax Foundation

A deep frame displaying a sheet of 100% beeswax foundation. A deep frame displaying a sheet of 100% beeswax foundation. Vertical support wires are embedded in the foundation to add Vertical support wires are embedded in the foundation to add rigidity.rigidity.

SmokerSmoker

A smoker being lit.A smoker being lit.

Some kind of hive tool is needed to pry Some kind of hive tool is needed to pry apart bee hive parts glued with propolis. apart bee hive parts glued with propolis. There are two popular versions: There are two popular versions: Traditional (broad flat prying end) and a Traditional (broad flat prying end) and a new style ~ Frame Lifter and Scraper.new style ~ Frame Lifter and Scraper.

Hive ToolHive Tool

Hive ToolsHive Tools

Newer style of hive tool designed Newer style of hive tool designed as a lever to pry up frames.as a lever to pry up frames.

Traditional Hive Tool.Traditional Hive Tool.

A veil is the A veil is the minimumminimum necessary necessary protective clothing. The traditional tie-on protective clothing. The traditional tie-on veil is used in conjunction with a fiber or veil is used in conjunction with a fiber or plastic helmet. A zip-on veil with a suit plastic helmet. A zip-on veil with a suit provides seamless protection.provides seamless protection.

VeilVeil

VeilsVeils

A zip-on veil made to be worn A zip-on veil made to be worn with a full bee suit.with a full bee suit.

A traditional tie-on veil.A traditional tie-on veil.

Gloves are not always good insurance Gloves are not always good insurance against stings and many beekeepers against stings and many beekeepers abandon them as they gain experience. abandon them as they gain experience. The simple fact of a beekeeper using The simple fact of a beekeeper using gloves is more clumsy. Wearing gloves is gloves is more clumsy. Wearing gloves is a good idea for messy jobs like harvesting a good idea for messy jobs like harvesting honey or when the bees are incorrigible. honey or when the bees are incorrigible. Its ok to buy a good set of gloves, but Its ok to buy a good set of gloves, but make their use the exception not the rule.make their use the exception not the rule.

GlovesGloves

GlovesGloves

A pair of gloves.A pair of gloves.

The most complete for of bee protection is The most complete for of bee protection is a full bee suit, white overalls, a zip-on veil, a full bee suit, white overalls, a zip-on veil, and gloves. The biggest problem with the and gloves. The biggest problem with the bee suits are heat stress to the beekeeper bee suits are heat stress to the beekeeper and rough handling of the bees. Suits are and rough handling of the bees. Suits are good to have for messy jobs or when good to have for messy jobs or when bees are uncontrollably defensive. The bees are uncontrollably defensive. The beekeepers best defenses against stings beekeepers best defenses against stings will always be a smoker and good bee will always be a smoker and good bee handling skills.handling skills.

Bee SuitBee Suit

Bee SuitBee Suit

A complete bee suit.A complete bee suit.

Hill Country Hill Country BeekeepersBeekeepers

Derrick DevereuxDerrick Devereux ~ ~

BeekeeperBeekeeper