I have installed several observation hives in rooms
with high ceilings, and I find it to be a very
good idea to punch through the wall for the exit
as high as possible, so as to keep the bees flying
well above civilian head height.

The bees have no problem at all with the set-up.

I use 2-inch diameter clear tubing, which is sold
at Lowes, Home Despot, and other big-box hardware
stores in the plumbing department.  The fittings
at both the hive end and the exit end are flanged
PVC pipe, and a hose clamp is used on both ends to
make sure that the clear pipe cannot be removed even
if pulled on by a mischievous child.

The trick in getting the bees to climb a near-vertical
or vertical tube is simple - tie a rope to a stick, and
tie a weight to the other end of the rope.  Feed the
rope down the tubing. The stick will keep the exit end
of the rope from falling into the tube.  The rope will
help the bees adjust, and some bees will prefer climbing
the rope to climbing the inside surface of the tubing.

After a week or so, the bulk of the bees will be climbing
the inside surface of the tubing, marching in an out as
if they had been born to do so.

I can take photos next week, as Dad and I intend to install
at least one observation hive at the local state park visitor
center before the end of the month for their spring opening.
(Send me e-mail if you want photos)

In winter, we simply plug the exit-end PVC pipe with a rag,
leaving the clear piping dangling in place after we remove
the hive for relocation to a standard wooden hive for feeding
and overwintering.

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