Bee hive

[Duncansimpson]

Did anyone see the homemade bee hive on Jamie and jimmy tonight. Looked interesting and wondered if anyone had tried it. If so did it fork?

[TGB]

What is Janie and Jimmy?

[Duncansimpson]

Jamie Oliver and his mate jimmy. They showed someone hollowing out a tree trunk to make a beehive

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

I would have changed channel when that pair of jokers came on.

I have several friends who have log hives along side their conventional hives. They tend to use them for keeping bees but not producing any honey from them. So yes they do work but are less practical than the conventional Langstroth, National or Smith type hives. I would suggest that Top Bar hives sit somewhere in the middle with regards practicality.

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

I would have changed channel when that pair of jokers came on.

I have several friends who have log hives along side their conventional hives. They tend to use them for keeping bees but not producing any honey from them. So yes they do work but are less practical than the conventional Langstroth, National or Smith type hives. I would suggest that Top Bar hives sit somewhere in the middle with regards practicality.

[TGB]

... So yes they do work but are less practical than the conventional Langstroth, National or Smith type hives. I would suggest that Top Bar hives sit somewhere in the middle with regards practicality.

 

 

I agree with you there. In many countries the hollowed out log or rolled bark hive are common and cheap. But often as not, require the destruction of the colony to harvest the honey & wax. But here in the UK, I reckon they're a bit of a novelty. And an expensive novelty at that.

 

For those that want a more natural approach, I'd say make yourself a topbar. Then either take honey & wax when the bees have plenty; and there's enough forage for them to replace their stores. Or leave alone and let be.

 

If you want to give a home to the honey bee but have neither the interest or no time to gather honey & wax. Then why not site a cedar bee house, like these from http://www.beesfordevelopment.org/bees-for-development-bee-house/ in a tree or on a wall or flat roof. I must admit £95 seems a lot but you could always make your own.

 

Note. Their bee houses now have a felted roof.

Edited December 31, 2016 by TGB

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

I know several people with Warre hives too. These are good if you just want to keep bees but are not interested in harvesting product.

Edited December 31, 2016 by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

Link here:

 

http://woodworkingcrazy.net/index.php/2016/12/26/the-art-of-log-hive-making/

 

For a log hive (not the 2 plonkers!!)

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

Top bar hives are very easy to make compared to most others so would echo TGBs musings there.

Not sure how practical the cedar bee house would be for controlling Varroa though.

[SteveA]

I know several people with Warre hives too. These are good if you just want to keep bees but are not interested in harvesting product.

 

Nowt wrong with harvesting from Warre's if they have enough stores to see them through the winter.

We have 5 warre hives & harvested a couple of boxes earlier this year (cold pressed by hand). Very yummy honey.

 

cheers, steve