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www.opensourcebeehives.net
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OSBH - What is it?
The Open Source Beehives project is a collaboration between Fab Lab Barcelona and the Open Tech Collaborative. The project aims to build a global community of experienced and beginner beekeepers to share data and collectively study the disappearance of our bees. Around this data we hope to �nd evidence of the factors causing the problem, prove what they are, and adjust them.
This document contains the information you will need to purchase, fabricate, and assemble your new Colorado Top Bar hive.
Open Source + Citizen Science
We continue in a long tradition of open and shared Beehive designs. The CC-BY-SA license we have chosen gives anyone the rights to download, edit and remix their own versions of the OSBH designs. We think participation in design is something to be actively encouraged and by adapting, improving and creating new variations of these hives we hope to encorage innovation and a spirit of collaboration.
SHARE - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
ADAPT - remix, transform and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
COMMERCIALIZE - sell the beehives!
The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Project Overview
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1. Engage an active and diverse community to respond to the threats faced by bees everywhere.
• Toencourageandfacilitateresponsiblebackyardbeekeeping.• Tohostregularcommunityeventstobeheldonlineandindistributedlocations.• Createaforumthatdemocraticallyhighlightsbestbeekeepingpractices• Generateparticipatoryactionsandcommunityawarenesscampaignstopromotebee
health.
2. Bridge the information gap between beekeepers and maker communities.
• Encourageinformationsharingbetweenpeoplewithdifferingbackgroundsandexpertise.• Providedatatoolstoreferencelocalcontexts,traditionalknowledgeandregional
environmentalconditions• Developarangeofcommunicationtoolstofacilitateinnovationinlocalbeekeeping.
3. Develop open source hive meta designs that are suitable for local and digital manufacturing and that can be optimised for locality.
• Developnumberofhive‘metadesigns’thatareusedasabaseforadaption.• Provideanonlineparametricdesignsystemsforuserstoadapttheirdesignonline.
4. Employ embedded sensor technologies to monitor and study colony health.
• DesignopensourcesensorboardtargetedforsmallscaleBeekeepersandCitizenScience.• OpenlypublishdataontheSmartCitizenPlatform.• Developalertsandremotemonitoringsystemstonotifyusersofpotentialproblems.
5. Enable radical and innovative forms of citizen science.
• Engagewithandlinktoexpertdataanalysisandmodernscientificpractises.• Developprotocolsandpathwaysfor‘CooperativeEnquiry’and‘CitizenScience’.
Project Goals
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Rhinosauras software has been used to generate this 3D model. Here you can play and tinker with the original designs.
A nesting �le is essentially a �at version of the design laid out to generate cutting strategies and tool paths. Adjust this �le to callibrate it for di�erent woods and machines.
The STL export �le provides an easy way to load the model into web viewers. This is not a place to edit the design.
This �le contains the cutting stategies to load into your CAM softare. Please look at the layers, they describe what tool paths to use.
This STL �le contains 3D information needed to cut an angle using your CAM software.
CTB - v5.4 - 3DModel - 20mm.3dm
CTB - v5.4 - Nesting - 20mm.3dm
CTB - v5.4 - 3DExport - 20mm.stl
CTB - v5.4 - Cut Strategies - 20mm.dxf
CTB - v5.4 - 3D Strategies - 20mm.stl
Files Explained
Source Files: https://github.com/opensourcebeehives
(Note: 20mm Metric / 19mm U.S.)
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The Colorado Top bar hive was developed by the Open Tech Collaborative in Denver and has been adapted and tested at the Fab Lab Barcelona. It is a modern adaption of the Kenyan Top Bar Hive, this design increases the hive space by adding top bars in a horizontal direction and has been designed to follow in a tradition of natural bee keeping methods.
HIVE HISTORY FEATURES
Open Source Hardware = Open to adaptLocking system = no screwsFits one standard wood boardReversable Entrance for di�erent seasons.Removable base tray.Removable lid
840 mm
850 mm
715
mm
Projection
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1 BASE PLATE x 12 ROOF PANEL x 23 ENTRANCE DOOR x 14 BACK LEGS x 15 FRONT LEGS x 16 GABEL x 27 FOLLOWER BOARD x 18 ROOF BEAM x 19 WEDGES x 1610 TOP BARS x 1611 SIDE PANEL x 2
96
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1 7
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The ‘CTB’ design has gone through many itterations and prototypes to get to the current version 5.4. A key feature here is that it requires no screws to assemble. Here, wedges are used to create a tight �t between the pieces.
Exploded View
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The hives have been designed to be cut using one standard size plywood board of 1220mm x 2440mm or 4 x 8 feet. This drawing shows the Cut Stategies that a machine operator will need to use with their own CAM software, (Computer Aided Manufacture). To help in the creation of the machine tool paths we have split the stategies into colour coded layers and named them according to the stategy required. See the ‘Nesting’ and ‘Cut Strategy’ �les.
We have created two �le types for 20mm and for 19mm (0.75 inch) thickness boards. It is common for wood boards to have slight variations, so be carefull to measure your wood before selecting the �les. In these design every millimeter counts.
*A CNC router is a computer-controlled milling machine. They are often used to manufacture custom cabinetry and are available in most metropolitan areas. Check out the Maker Map to locate one in your city: http://themakermap.com
CNC MILLING*
CUT STRATEGIES
NOTE :
Y
X
Machine Axis
Milling
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Y
X
Machine Axis
WEDGES
ROOF BEAM
TOP BARS
SIDE PANEL
GABEL
FOLLOWER BOARD
ROOF PANEL
BASE PLATE
ENTRANCE DOOR
FRONT LEGS
BACK LEGS
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Components
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HIVE BODY
WEDGES
Lay the Back Legs �at on the �oor and then place the two side panels into the corresponding slots.
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Place the front legs into place2
Whilst still resting on the �oor add the wedges to the lock joints of side panels. Leave them loose for now.
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Assembly 1
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BASE PLATE
MOVEABLE PIECES
Carefully push the Base plate in through the front entrance and be sure that it locates along the groves and into the slot on the inside of the back feet panel.
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Add the Follower Board.Add as many top bars as neededfor you colony size with the protrusion facing down.
Place the hive body in a horizontal position and add the wedges to the back feet panel.
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Assembly 2
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ROOF / GABLE ENDS
ROOF ASSEMBLY
ROOF BEAM
Add the roof Panels making sure the angled cuts are verticle.
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Add the Roof Beam.Add the wedges.
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Give all the wedges a few taps with a hammer untill the Roof panels grip the Beam enough to create a compression �t.
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Place the roof onto thehive body by locating theGable ends to the Feet.
Locate one side �rst and then drop the next intoplace.
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Use a table saw to cut 30 degree angles in each roof panel where they intersect the roof beam (measure the angle to doublecheck before cutting).
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Assembly 3
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Further Hive Preparation
Sustainable & Nontoxic Plywood
Sourceaplywoodfreefromformaldehydeandharvestedfromresponsiblymanagedforests.IntheUnitedStates,lookforwoodthatmeetstheCARBPhase2standard,whichisthehighestratingfornontoxicplywoodinthenation.
Water leakage fix
Wherethetworoofpanelsmeettheroofbeamatthetopofthehive,thereisthepotentialforwaterleakage.Thiscanbefixedbymeltingbeeswaxintothecracktosealit.Thisisstronglyrecommended,especiallyforanyclimatesexperiencingregularrain.
Varnishing
Plywoodisnotasweatherresistantashardwoods,soitisnecessarytoapplyanon-toxicvarnishthatwillprotecttheexteriorofyourhivewithoutdisruptingthebees.WehaveusedLinseedoilwithagooddealofsuccess,butareopentoanyothersuggestion.
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Smart Citizen Sensor Board
Smart Citizen Custom Arduino
DevelopedwithinFabLabBarcelonaattheInstituteforAdvancedArchitectureofCatalonia(Iaac),Smart Citizenisahardwareandsoftwareplatformthatempowerspeopletomonitortheenvironmentalconditionsoftheircities.TheSmartCitizenprojectisbasedongeolocation,Internetandopenhardwareandsoftwarefordatacollectionandsharing(SmartCitizenKit-SCK,RESTfulapi,MobileAppand,thewebcommunity).
The Smart Citizen Platform
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Beehive Sensor & Software Development
WeareadaptingtheSmartCitizenplatformfortheOpenSourceBeehivesproject.Ourvisionistodevelopafield-readysensorpackagethatcanbeintegratedwithinhiveswithoutinterferingwiththeirnaturalhabitat.Sensordatawillbestreamedtoanonlineplatform,whereitwillbeopenlyavailableforpublicanalysis.
Ourdatacollectionprioritiesincludethefollowing:• hivepopulation• hiveweight• temperature• humidity• acoustics• EMFfields
Get Involved
Emailsensors@opensourcebeehives.nettohelpusdevelopopensourcehardwareandsoftwarefortheOSBHproject.
Functionality
TheOSBHsensorkitwillmonitorhiveconditions,streamdatatoanonlinesoftwareplatformandmobileapplication,andwilltriggerSMS/emailnotificationstousersbasedonpatternsintheinformation.
Wewilldevelopafield-readyenclosureforthesensorpackagethatalsoshieldsthebeesfromEMFfieldsbyusingaFaradaycage.
Sensors & Software
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Overview
ThissectionwillintroduceyoutothebasicsofTopBarbeekeeping.Wewillcoverhowtostartahiveinyourbackyard,andsomegeneralintroductoryguidelinestokeepinghoneybees.Thereissomuchtoknow,andweareonlybeginningtoscratchthesurfaceinthisdocument.ItishighlyrecommendedthatyouinvestigateotherresourcesinourFurtherReadingsectionbelow,findamentor,orjoinalocalbeekeepingclasstostrengthenyourbeekeepingpractice.
Yourbackyardorrooftoparegreatplacestokeepbees.Keepingbeesconnectsustoalargerecosystemevenwithinurbanareas.Theexperienceisinspiringandhumbling,asbeekeepersoftenfindthemselvesengulfedinthemysteriousandmagicalworldofbees.
Why Use a Top Bar hive?
TopBarhivesweredesignedinKenya,whereAfricanhoneybeestendtobemoredefensivethanthegentleEuropeanbreedsfoundintheUnitedStatesandEU.Thetopbars(partofthehivethatholdsthecomb)restabovethemaincolonychamber,touchingonallsidestocreateafalselid.Thisallowsgentlehiveinspections,onlydisturbingasmallportionofthehiveatatime.Beesareknowntobemorecalmandgentleintopbarhives.
Topbarhivesalsoallowthebeestobuild“natural”or“free”comb.OtherstylesofhivesuchastheLangstrothhivetypicallyusepre-madeplasticfoundationsorcommerciallyproducedwaxcomb,whereasTopBarhivesallowthebeestobuildtheirowncomb,limitingtheirexposuretoforeignsubstances.Ithasalsobeenarguedthatthebeesbuildsmallercellsizesinfreecomb,allowingthemtomoreeasilymanageVarroaMites(commonpathogeninhoneybeecolonies)reproducinginsidethecells.
Last,topbarhivescontainminimalpartsandrequirelittletonoequipmenttoharvesthoneyandwax.
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Supplies
Belowareafewpiecesofequipmentthatwillhelpyouinteractmoreconfidentlyandeffectivelywithyournewcolony.Thesearerecommended,butnotrequired:
Bee suit and glovesThiscommonlyusedlayerprotectsthewearerfrombeestings,butlotsofbeekeepersdonotuseafullsuitorglovesatall.Themostimportantthingistofeelcalmandconfident.Asanewbeekeeper,itiswisetostartwithasuitandglovesuntilyouaremorecomfortable.
Hive toolThehivetoolisasimplewoodworkingtoolusedtopullframesapartandremovethemfromthehivewhenthebeeshavestuckthemtogether.
Top Bar Beekeeping Crash Course
SmokerSmokersareusedtocalmthebeesbymaskingtheiralarmpheromones.Blowingsmokeintothehivealsomakesthebeesretreatintothehivetogorgethemselveswithhoney.
Bee brushThebeebrushisusedtogentlyremovebeesfromthecombwhenharvestinghoney.Thebrushisalsoahelpfultoolwhencatchingswarms,orgettingridofbeesleftontopofthetopbarsbeforeclosingthelid.
BeeswaxBeforeinstallingbeesintoyourhiveitissmarttorubbeeswaxonbottomridgeofthetopbars.Thiswillencouragethebeesbuildalongthetopbars,sotheycanbeeasilyextracted.
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Placing Your Hive
Beehivescanbeplacedinavarietyofdifferentenvironments.It’simportantthatyouconsidertheneedsofyourbeeswhendecidingthehive’slocation.Pleasereadtheconsiderationsbelowcarefully,asitistrickytomovethehiveoncethebeeshavebeenintroduced.
Thingstoconsider:
Heat management:Inthecoldthebeeshuddletogetherinaclustershiveringandmetabolizinghoneytostaywarm.Intheheattheyfanthehivewiththeirwings,butitismoredifficultforthemtomanageintenseheatthancold.
Whenplacingahiveinyourbackyard,agoodplaceisunderadeciduoustree,wherethehivegetscoolshadeinthehotsummers,andwarmsunduringthecoldwinters.Therearemanyvariationsifyoudonothaveashadytreeinyourbackyard,dependingonthelightandheatwithinyourownbackyard.Sometimesafencecanoffershadeforpartoftheday,.
Whenplacingahiveonarooftoparug,carpet,orotherinsulativematerialshouldbeplacedunderthehivetoprotectagainsthottarpaperorotherroofingmaterials.Shadeisanecessitywhenkeepingbeesonarooftop.Ifnostructuralshadeisavailable,itmaybenecessarytoconstructoneyourself.
Accessibility:Youwillwanttoplaceyourhivesomewhereitwillbeeasytoaccessandmanipulatethroughouttheyear.Keepinmindyouwillneedtoremovetherooftoinstallbees,extracthoney,andmaintainthehiveonarelativelyregularbasis.
Bee Traffic:Beetrafficwillbelimitedto,butconcentrateddirectlyinfrontofthehive.Thebeesflyupandoutquickly,sootherthanafewfeetdirectlyinfrontofthehiveentrance,thebeetrafficwillhardlybenoticed.Itisnotagoodideatoplacethehivefacinganytraffickedsidewalks,pathwaysorsittingareas.Somecityordinancesrequirethathivesareplacedbehinda6footbarriersotheyflyoverthebarrier.Thisisagoodwaytokeepbeetrafficunnoticed.Water Source:Abirdbathorotherwatercatchmentareafilledwithrocksorabucketwithfloatingwoodchipsworkbest.It’simportantthebeeshavesomewheretoperchnearthewaterlineinordertodrink.Ifariverorpondisnearby,thesewillalsoworknicely.
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Drainage:BecausetheColoradoTopBarismadefromplywood,it’simportantthelegsdonotsoakinwaterforprolongedperiodstoavoidswelling.Chooseawelldrainedspace,andsitthefourlegsatopfourbricksorsimilar.Remembertoensurethehiveremainslevelandstable.
Moving the Hive:Ifyoufindthechosenhivelocationisinappropriateafterinstallingyourcolony,unfortunately,movingyourhiveisadifficultprocess.Youcanmovethehive3feet/1metereachdaytowardsthenewlocation,ormovethem3miles/5kilometersormoreatatime.BeeshaveagreatinternalGPSsystem.Whenmovingthehiveshortdistancesthebeeswilltryandreturntotheoriginalentrance,andwillgetlost.Movingitslowlyallowsthemtoadjust.Whenyoumovethem3miles/5kilometersormoretheyareoutoftheiroriententflightrange.Uponnoticingthisthebeeswillreorientthemselves.Moveyourbeesonlyatearlymorningorduskwhenallthebeesareinsidethehive.Thereisnoneedtotapeup,orshutthebeesin,justbegentle,andusesmoketochasethembackinsideifneeded.
Populating Your Hive
Therearethreewaystopopulateyourbackyardorrooftophivewithbees.NewcoloniesshouldbeintroducedinearlySpringwhentemperaturesarewarmerandplantsbeginblooming.
Packaged Bees
Themostcommonwayfornewbeekeeperstostartahiveistopurchaseapackageofbees.Packagesareproducedbycommercialbeekeeperswhosplittheirstronghivesintoboxesthatcontainacagedqueenandusually3poundsofbees.ThispackagecanbecollectedorsentviathemailinearlySpring.Whenpurchasingapackageyoucanmostoftencountonendingupwithahealthy,productivecolony.Installing bees from a Package
Toinstallapackagefirstremovethecagedqueenandhanghercagebetweentwotopbars.Thescreenedpartofthecagemustbefacingoutwardssothattheworkerbeescanfeedandcareforher.Makesurethecageissecureandwillnotfallintothehive.Next,containthecolonybetweenthefirst4-5framesusingthefollowerboardasafalseback.Ifyoudonotlimitthebee’sspaceitislikelytheywillabscond,orleave,findingtheirnewhomehardtoheatandinhospitable.
Thebeeswillalsoneedtobefedwithsugarsyrup.Put1parthotwaterand1partsugarina
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jarandshakeuntilthesugardissolves.Youcanusethejarasafeederbypokingsmallholesinthelidandturningitoveronastand(thebessmustbeabletoaccessthedrip)oryoucanuseastoreboughtfeeder.Ageneralruleistocontinuefeedingyourbeessugarsyrupuntiltheystopeatingit.Refillyourfeederasneeded.Youcanalsofeedyourbeeswithapollenpatty.
Afterthequeenhasbeenhanginginthehiveforthreedays,youcanreturntoreleaseher.Removetheplugatthebottomofthecageusingyourhivetoolwhiletheopeningisfacinginsidethehive.Watchyourqueenwalkintothehivetoinsuresheisinsideandlookshealthy.
Swarms
Catchingaswarmisagreatexperienceforallbeekeepers,andiseasytodo.Eachspring,honeybeecoloniesthatsurvivethewinterwithstrongnumbersswarm.Thisishowbeecoloniesreproduce.Athirdofthecolonyshootsoutthefrontofthehive,andtaketotheskyinsearchofanewhome.Theswarmwilllandonabranch,parkbench,fenceetc.andwaitwhilescoutbeeslookfortheperfectnewhome.Hanginginalargemass,thesehomehuntingbeescanbecapturedinaboxandintroducedtoabeekeeper’sbackyardhive.Becausetheyarealreadylookingforahome,itisusuallyeasytoconvincethemtostay.
Mostofthetime,swarmsareasampleofthestrongestcolonies.Forthisreason,somebeekeepersprefertocatchswarms,encouragingsuccessfulgenetics,adaptedtothelocalenvironment.Thedownsideisswarmsareamixedbag,youdon’tknowwhatyouaregoingtoget.Swarmscancarrydiseaseandmiteswiththem,theymightalsohavesomeundesirablebehaviors-pronetoswarming,aggressiveetc.Manyoftheseproblemscanbesolvedbyre-queeningthecolony,otherscanbemoreserious.
Finding a swarm
Thefirststeptoacquiringaswarmistogetonaswarmlist.Themajorityofpeoplewhoendupwithswarmsintheirbackyards,ontheirfencesetc.areunsurewhattodowiththem.Theyusuallycallabeekeepingassociation,beekeepingsupplystore,oronlineswarmremovalsourcetoaskforhelp.Theseresourceswillconnectcitizenswithswarmstobeekeeperswantingtopopulatetheirhive/s.Afterbeingcontactedthroughaswarmlist,thebeekeepermustactquickly,arrivingattheswarmlocationbeforethehome-huntingbeesaregone.Sometimesitcantakedaysforaswarmtofindahome,othertimesitonlytakesafewhours.Itisalwaysagoodideatoaskwheretheswarmislocated,howhighupitis,andhowlongithasbeentheretomakesureyouhavetheabilitytocatchit.
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Capturing a swarm
Youwillneed:
1xbeesuit1xbeebrush1xladder(ifneeded)1xlargecardboardbox.
Tocatchtheswarmyoumustknocktheswarmintoyourcardboardbox.Placetheboxunderneaththehangingbeesandgivetheobjecttheyhavelandedonagoodshake.Ifthebeeshaveswarmedontosomethinglikeawallorhouse,agentlebrushorsweepwithyourbeebrushwilldo.Insomecasesiftheobjecttheyhaveswarmedontoissmallenough,likeatreebranch,itiseasiesttocutthebranchintotheboxandtakethewholethingwithyou.Ifyouaresuccessfulincatchingthemajorityoftheswarminthecardboardbox,thebeeswillbegintosendoutpheromones,stickingtheirabdomensintheairandfanningtheirwings.Thisisacalltotherestofthecolony.Ifyoulettheboxsitontheground,ornearwheretheswarmoriginallyhung,andwait10-15minutes,themajorityoftheswarmwilljointheircolonyinthebox.Ifthereisstillalargemassofbeeshanging,youmayneedtodoanadditionalshakeorbrushintothebox.Itisimpossibletogetallofthebeesinthebox,andsadlysomewillbeleftbehind,butthemajorityofbeeswillhopefullyfindyourbackyardhivetheperfectplacetolive.
Installing a Swarm
Toinstallaswarmintoyourhivemakeasmallspacein-betweenthetopbarstodumpthebees.Inatopbarhivemakesuretoclosedownthespaceusingyourfollowerboardtocontain4-5frames.Ifyoudonotlimitthebee’sspaceitislikelytheywillabscond,orleave,findingtheirnewhomehardtoheatandinhospitable.
Thebeeswillalsoneedtobefedwithsugarsyrup.Put1parthotwaterand1partsugarinajarandshakeuntilthesugardissolves.Youcanusethejarasafeederbypokingsmallholesinthelidandturningitoveronastand(thebessmustbeabletoaccessthedrip)oryoucanuseastoreboughtfeeder.Ageneralruleistocontinuefeedingyourbeessugarsyrupuntiltheystopeatingit.Refillyourfeederasneeded.Youcanalsofeedyourbeeswithapollenpatty.
Afteraweekortwo,whenthebeeshavebuiltcomb,returntothehiveandlookforeggsand
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larvae,insuringthatthequeenarrivedsafelywithyourswarm.
A Nuc
ANucisasmallcolonythatcomeswithbothbeesandafewframesofbrood(unbornbees)andfood(honey).Thisisamajoradvantage,becausethesethingstaketimeforbeestocreate,andwillgiveyournewcolonyalargeheadstartontheseason.Usinganuctopopulateyourhiveisexpensive,butalsotheeasiestwaytointroducebees.However,itisdifficulttofindanucforTopBarstylehives.MostcommonlytheycomeonLangstrothframesthatwillnotfitintoaTopBarhive.
Nuc’salsohavethegreatestfirstyearsuccessrate,asthebeeswillnotabandonthebroodorleavethehive..Likeapackage,Nuc’sareproducedbycommercialbeekeeperssoyoucantrustthatthebeeswillhaveadesirablegeneticmakeup,andarrivewithoutdisease.
Installing Bees From a Nuc
ToinstallaNuc,simplyputthepopulatedframesintoyournewhive.Iftherearebeesleftovertheycanbeknockedintothehive,orleftinfrontofthehivetofollowtheircolonyinontheirowntime.Reducethespaceinsideofthehiveusingthefollowerboardtocontainthenewframesofbeesandanacoupleemptyframes.
Interacting With Your Hive
Onceyourbeesareinstalled,it’simportanttounderstandhowtomonitortheirhealthandprogressasacolony.Belowissomeadviceonhowtodothiseffectively.
Getting to Know Your Bees
AsanewBeekeeper,thebestthingyoucandoisspendtimewithyourbees.Thisincludesmakingroutinehiveinspectionsusuallyonceaweekinthespringandfall,andonceamonthinthesummer.Youcanalsospendtimewithyourbeesbywatchingthemcomeinandoutofthehiveandobservingtheminyourgarden.Thebestskillabeekeepercanhaveisrecognizingtheirbees:howtheymove,sound,smell,whattheyarebringingintothehive,whattheyarebuilding,whattheyarestoring.Onceabeekeeperknowswhattheirbeesdo,theyhavetheabilitytonoticewhensomethingisdifferent,allowingthebeekeepertoseekinstructionwhensomething
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changes.Inyourfirstseason,everythingwillbenew,anditishelpfultofindamentorandsomereliableresourcesonbeesandbeekeeping.
Who’s In the HIve?
Worker Bee:Almostallofthebeesinacolonyareworkerbees.Thesebeesareallfemale,andtheyruntheshow.Throughouttheirlives,workerbeeshaveavarietyofjobsfromfeedingbrood,cleaninghouse,buildingcomb,caringforthequeen,storinghoneyandpollen,guardingthefrontdoor,andfinallyforagingforpollenandnectaroutsidethehive.Whileitiseasilymistakenthatthequeenisincharge,itisactuallytheworkerbeeswhocommunallymakeallofdecisionsinthehive.Theydecideandpreparetoswarmandraisenewqueenswhennecessaryetc.
Queen Bee:Thereisonly1queenineverycolony.Heroneandonlyjobistolayeggs.Shecanlayupto2000eggsadayatpeakseason!Unlikeotherbees,queenbeescanliveforupto3years.Theworkerbeestakeverygoodcareoftheirqueen,becausewithoutherthecolonycanstruggletosurvive.Themotherofeverymemberinsidethecolony,thequeenalsodefinesthegeneticmakeupofthecolony.Theirtemperament,personalities,andbehavioralqualitiesareallinheritedfromthequeen.
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Drone Bee:Dronebeesaretheonlymalesinthehive.Theironlyjobistomate.Theywaitaroundtheirwholelivestomatewithavirginqueen.Iftheyareluckyenoughtheywillmateonceafterwhichtheyfalltotheirdeathbecausetheirsexualorgansarebarbed,similartoaworkerbee’sstinger,andpullouttheirinsidesuponcopulation.Aqueenwillmatewith5-15dronesonceinherlife,andspendtherestofherlifeinsidethehive.Dronesdonoworkinsidethehive,theydonotevenhavesingerstodefendthehivewith.Theworkerbeesoftencareforthemandfeedthem,buttheyarequicktokickthedronesoutinthefalloncetheyarenolongernecessary.
Brood:Broodisatermforbabybeesinthehive.Thisincludeseggs,larvae,andpupatingbeesinsidethecells.Oncetheyhaveemergedfromtheircell,theyareadultbees.
Products from the Hive
Honey
Themostpopularproductofhoneybees,honeyisproducedusingnectarcollectedfrombloomingplants.Travelingfromplanttoplant,thebeescollectnectarandstoreitintheirspecialhoneystomachswherethenectar’ssugarstructurechanges.Itisthendepositedintoawaxcellwherebeesfanittoreducethewatercontent.Finally,thefinishedhoneyiscapedinwax,likealidonajar.Honeyisthebeescarbohydrateandanimportantfoodinsidethehive.Whenharvestinghoneyrememberthatbeesneedhoneytosurvive.
Pollen
Ashoneybeesmovefromflowertoflower,theycarrypollenontheirbacklegs.Insidethehivepollenisthebees’mainsourceofproteinandotherimportantnutrients,butoutsidethehivetheunintentionaltransferofpollenfromflowertoflowerintheactofpollinationmakesbloomingplantsandbeesperfectpartners.
Wax
Beesbuildtheirhomesoutofwax.Insidethehivehoneycombisbuildtostorehoneyandpollen.Thecombisalsowherethequeenlayseggsandbroodisraised.
Propolis
Propolisisusedbythebeestosealupanydraftsandstickthingstogetherlikeglue.Beesmake
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propolisbychewingupplantresinsandtreesaps.
Working in the Hive
Thebesttimetoinspectyourcolonyisduringthedaywhentemperaturesareabove60degreesfahrenheit/15degreescelsius,withoutwindorrain.Openingthehiveatcoldertimes(especiallywhenmisty)hasbeenlikenedtorippingthebedcoversoffasleepingpersononacoldWintersmorning.Itwillbotherthebeesandisnotadvised!Thebeesalsomaintainatemperatureofupto90degreeswithinthebroodcluster.Ifthebroodgetstoocold,itcandie.
Whenworkinginyourhiveitisimportanttobecalmandmoveintentionally.Inatopbarhivethebeessometimesattachcombtothehivewalls.Checkbeforeremovingframesfromthehive,anddosocarefully.
What to Look For
Wheninspectingyourcolony,yourmainobjectiveistofindevidenceofahealthyqueen.Youcanbesureyourhivehasaqueenifyoufindtheherinside,orifthereareeggsinthehive.After24hrseggshatchintolarvae.Eggsareevidencethatthequeenwaspresentwithinthelast24hours,whichissecondbesttofindingthequeenherself.IdeallyyoucanfindbothtoknowthequeenispresentANDlayingeggs.Ittakespracticetofindthequeenandrecognizeeggs.Eggslooklikesmallgrainsofriceatthebottomofacell,settingthemapartfromcrescentmoon-shapedlarvae.Ifyouwearglassesremembertobringthemwithyouwheninspectingthehive.Movingtheframesintothesunsometimesmakesiteasiertosee.
Otherthingstonoticewheninspectingyourhivearepearly-whiteplumplarvaeinmanystagesofgrowth,convexcellcappings,calmworkerbees,andplentyoffoodstores.Ifworkerbeeslookdeformed,larvaeisbrownand/ortwisted,mitesareobservedonthebacksofanybees,thereisalackofcolonygrowth,broodisdeadinthecells,oranythingelseunusual,consultadditionalresourcestofindoutwhatisgoingoninsideyourhive.Asmentionedbefore,thebestwaytomonitoryourbeeshealthistospendplentyoftimewiththemsoyouwillnoticewhensomethingisdifferentorwrong.
Watching for Swarming
InSpringmonths,ifyourcolonyisstrongandhealthyitisnaturalforthemtoswarm.Ifyourbeesswarm,yourhoneyyieldswillsuffer.Youcanmanageyourcolonytopreventswarmingbygiving
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thebeesmorespace,movingthefollowerboardbackinthehiveassoonascolddaysandnightsareover.Becarefulnottodothistoosoonortoofast,becausethebeesstillneedtoheatthespace,butgivingthemafewnewtopbarstofillupeachweekinthespringisagoodidea.
Ifyoufindswarmcells-queencellsontheouteredgesoftheframes-thisisasignthebeesarealreadygettingreadytoswarm.Oncethishappensitishardtoconvincethemotherwise.
Getting the Bees Ready for the Winter
WhenthelastwarmdaysoftheseasonarecomingnearitistimetogetyourbeesreadyforWinter.Usingthefollowerboardorfalsewall,closedownthehivetocontainonlythebroodclusterandhoneystores.Itisbesttofeedyourbeesandinsulatethemwithabreathablematerial.Burtaportarpaperaresometimesused.Donotuseplastic,thiscancausemolding.Youcanalsousehaybalestoblockthehivefromcoldwinds.Fallisalsothetimetoadministeranymedicationsormitetreatmentsifyouchoosetodoso.Besuretowaituntilafterhoneyharvesttotreatyourbees.OnceyouclosethehivedownfortheWinterleaveitshutuntilwarmSpringdaysreturn.Thebeeswillsealeverythingwithpropolis,andyoudonotwanttobreaktheirsealsduringcoldweathermonths.
Harvesting Honey
Harvestinghoneyfromyourtopbarhiveiseasytodo.Simplyuseabeebrushtoremovethebeesfromthecombthatisfullofhoney,andcutthecombfromthetopbar.Smokecanalsobeusedtochasebeesfromhoneycomb.Hanganylonpaintstrainerintoafivegallon,foodgradebucket.Thecutcombcanbeplacedorsmashedinsidethepaintstrainer.Honeyisheavierthanwaxandwilldrainoutofthestrainerintothebottomofyourbucket.Thismethodworksbestifyourhoneybucketitkeptinawarmplace.Combcanalsobecutandplaceddirectlyintojars.Coverthehoneyassoonasitisremovedoritwillbedifficulttoleavewithoutlotsofbees.
HoneybeesmakehoneytosustainthemselvesthroughlongcoldWinters.DependingonhowlongandcoldtheWinteris,thebeeswillneedavaryingamountofhoneytomakeituntilSpring.Ideally,abeekeeper’sjobistomanipulatethecolonyintomakingexcessstoressothereisenoughforustotake.YetitishardtoguesshowlongandhardtheWinterwillbeorhowmuchhoneythebeeswillneed.Somebeekeeperscalculatehowmuchhoneytotakebyweight.SomehobbyistbeekeeperswaituntilSpringandtakewhateverisleftover.
YounowknowthebasicsofTopBarbeekeeping!Pleasecheckouttheresourcebelowtolearn
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more.
Further Reading
Native PollinatorsAttracting Native Pollinators: The Xerces Society Guide, Protecting North America’s Bees and ButterfliesbyTheXercesSocietyandDr.MarlaSpivak
Perhapsthebestnativebeereferenceavailable,thisbookoffersinformationonnativebeeidentification,habitatmanagement,andcommunityinvolvement.Becausethebookiswrittenforthecommonbackyardbee-enthusiast,itsinformationisrelevanttoanyonewhoworkswithbees.Supportingbeemindedpeopleoutsideacademia,thisbookaimstointegratenativepollinatorsintohumanpopulatedareas.The Forgotten PollinatorsbyStephenL.Buchmann,GaryPaulNabhanandPaulMirocha
AuthorsGaryPaulNabhan,aPh.D.conservationscientist,andStephenBuchmann,aresearchassociateinecology&evolutionarybiologyatArizonaState,arebothpollinatorenthusiasts.ThemajorityoftheirresearchisdoneintheSonoranDesert,asurprisinglyrobustecosystem.TheForgottenPollinatorssetthestageforpollinatorconservationawarenesswithintheUnitedStates.Ihighlyrecommendthisbook,asitnavigatesthesocialandenvironmentalpressuresonpollinatorsasessentialecologicalpartners.Keeping the Bees: Why All Bees Are at Risk and What We Can Do to Save ThembyLaurencePacker
LaurencePackerisaresearcherandprofessoratYorkUniversity.Inhisbookheintroduceshisfavoritebeesandtheirrolesinecosystemsandagriculture.Thelatterpartofhisbookfocusesoncontemporaryconservationconcernsforthebeesandtheconnectedimpactonhumanpopulations.Packerusesacademicresearchofhisown,butalsothatofmanyothercontemporarymelittologists(thosewhoseacademicstudyfocusesonwildbees)throughouthisbook.Itisoneoftheonlyfulllengthcontemporarypublicationsonthetopicofwildbees.
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Honeybees
The Beekeeper’s Handbook, Third EditionbyAlphonseAvitabile,DianaSammataroandRogerA.Morse
Agoodbeekeepingbookishardtofind.TheBeekeeper’sHandbookisareliabletextforbeginningandadvancedbeekeepers.Asyourpracticegrowsthisbookcanstaywithyou,asthereisalwaysmoredetailedinformationtoexplore.The Barefoot BeekeeperbyP.J.Chandler
PhilChandlerisanoutspokenTopBarbeekeeperfromtheUK.Hisworkchallengestraditionalbeekeepingmethods,seekingholisticapproachestokeepingbeeswithintoday’seconomicandagriculturalrealitiesthattendtodefineapiculture.HisbookTheBarefootBeekeeperiswrittenforbeekeeperswithageneralknowledgeabouthoneybees.ItisoneoftheonlybeekeepingbooksthatfocusesonTopBarbeekeeping,teachingthebeekeepertodrawuponagroundedknowledgeofbeesbeyondalistofseasonalinstructions.Clan ApisbyJayHosler
Thiscomicbookdepictstheevolutionofbeesandthedailylifewithinahoneybeecolony.Thisuniquesourceoffersanaccessibleaccountofthebasicsabouthoneybees.Thevisualcharacterizationofhoneybeesexplainsoftenforeignandcomplexphenomenonwithinthehive,likeswarming,inajoyfulandaccessiblefashion.
Honeybee DemocracybyThomasD.Seeley
HoneybeeDemocracyisanexcitingreportonTomSeeley’sin-depthresearchonswarming.Hisresearchdetailstheprocessofswarming,howaswarmchoosesandfindsanewhome,andhowtheygetthere.Awindowintothemagicofhoneybeecolonies,thisbookwillinspireandenlightenanyonewhofindsintrigueinsideahoneybeehive.Following the Bloom
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Thank You!