BEE-L Archives

Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

BEE-L@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
John Porter <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Date:
Tue, 7 Feb 2006 10:38:01 -0800
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (40 lines)
Beekeepers seem to be more adventurous internationally, Jackson is in South Africa and the Europeans have been far more willing to experiment. The 12"x12"x12" Alpine hive (same capacity as a medium) supposedly works better at higher elevations and bears more resemblance to the hollow tree than a Lang. The popularity of styrofoam hives supports the premise that it helps with overwintering in severe climates. There are a bunch of ideas, some of which seem loony but others which are improvements.

The acid test for a product is acceptance, and if the Jackson Horizontal Hive were available in this country, how many beekeepers or hobbyists would buy it?

Assume a fully functional hive of two deeps/two mediums or five mediums. Add the cost of bottom boards, top boards and protective gear to support two hives and a hobbyist getting started in beekeeping has to spend around $500. It seems like a JHH could cost as little as half that.

Philosophically, all of those who write about adding TBHs or switching to TBHs from Langs comment on how much it has improved their beekeeping. That can't be bad, and it is interesting that all of them in severe climes claim their TBHs overwinter better than Langs.

As to the JHH, I agree with Mike in lower Alabama that it is basically a double wide with full width tops. Bob Harrison mentioned improved construction and the JHH has that for sure.

The evolutionary improvements make an impressive list of features.

  - Construction materials are lighter and stronger than wood
  - Assembly is trivial, a single sheet scored like a cardboard box
    w/wood or pipe reinforcement on corners of long side
  - Manufactured as a single piece by cardboard box machinery
  - Langstroth sized frames with 1 1/4" wide top bars
  - Frames made of dowels and glued together w/o nails or screws, which
    are far stronger than a typical frame
  - Size is slightly larger than a double wide deep
  - Hive can be supered like a double wide if it suits you (probably
    requires side reinforcement if more than two stacked)
  - 25 frames/hive
  - Can be located out of reach of most predators
  - Uses handles to simplify carrying, moving etc
  - Not theft proof but hoisting a hive 20' in the air would sure be a
    strong deterrent
  - Suitable for pollination because they are strong, light and easy
    to manhandle.

These look like the kind of things Langstroth himself would have tried. They are definitely the product of a guy who has found ways to improve Langs in his environment. However, unless dowels in Africa are a fraction of the price here the frames seem like an unneeded luxury. They must cost 5-10 times more than those used here.

Jackson is not working with mild mannered Italians, he only has hot bees, and messing with the hive can set them into a frenzy. Removing the lid does not cause much disturbance because the full width top bars are a solid ceiling. That reduces the risk of boilover and he has a neat trick to better the odds: by using light smoke from a tin can suspended below the entrance he keeps the guard bees focused there while working from the rear to pull the honey-filled combs.

Hanging hives from a tree seems unnecessary in this country, only those beekeepers plagued with ants, skunks, bears and other wildlife would have more interest than the rest of us. It's also interesting that as a commercial beekeeper, Jackson does not seem to have a queen operation. It is implied that he relies on swarms to populate the hives in the trees.

JP

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---

ATOM RSS1 RSS2