The Bees Nest. Five needs for a feral nest Sheltered, darkened enclosure Small, defensible entrance Size of adequate volume Parallel comb constructed.

The Bees Nest

Five needs for a feral nest

Sheltered, darkened enclosure Small, defensible entrance Size of adequate volume Parallel comb constructed with bee space Separation of brood and food in the comb

From D. Caron

Parallel combs with “bee’s” space

From D. Caron

Dutch Skep straw

Human

Hives

Clay pottery hive

Log hivePictures from D. Caron

The Langstroth Hive

In 1851, a Philadelphia

In 1851, a Philadelphia minister, L. L. Langstroth discovered the principal of “bee space” while using removable vertical frames in his champagne crates.

Picture from D. Caron

The Langstroth Hive

From D. Caron

Separation of Food and Brood

From D. Caron

Cells of combs

Worker and drone cells are built horizontally. About 15% of the cells are drone cells commonly found at the periphery. Usually found at the bottom margin of combs is a small number of queen cups that hang vertically. When used for raising queens, they look like peanut shells.

Drone Cells

Photo by Deb Hautau

Queen’s Cup Photo by Tom Jenkins