On 20 Apr 2003 at 8:51, [log in to unmask] wrote:

>> I have built, but not yet put into use, a compromise version
which consists
> of a lower stratum which is a 4 frame nuc on a mesh floor.  The upper stratum
> is a single frame between perspex walls and to which the bees have access
> through a strip of queen excluder.

Dear all

Our Association has a similar hive, but we have found it
difficult to use effectively for more than an hour or two at
most.  Being shut in, the bees get incresingly frantic and start
to run round on the comb.  Putting the nucleus along side
another colony and then moving the nucleus colony to another
spot in the apiary the day before use does help to reduce the
number of flying bees.

We have also found temperature control to be a problem.
Water dropped in frequently through the mesh top on top of
the 'visible' part of the hive helps to control this to some extent.
For more extended use in a day I suggest that you would need
another colony in a second nucleus nearby, with a changeover
from one colony to the other for the observation colony.

The most successful application appears to be with just the
singel frame of bees including the queen in the visible section,
with a frame feeder, but no more bees down in the box below.
The absence of bees below keeps the temperature down as
well.

Having covered the difficulties, such a set up is a terrific
attraction for on-lookers at a show.


Mike Rowbottom

HARROGATE
North Yorks
UK

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::