Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: tillie on April 12, 2008, 09:02:35 AM

Title: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: tillie on April 12, 2008, 09:02:35 AM
As per an earlier post (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php?topic=14256.msg103191#msg103191) on this forum about using bottom boards for tops to provide a top entrance, I set up some of my new hives with bottom boards for tops as opposed to the telescoping covers I have on my other hives.  Seemed like a great way to use solid bottom boards since my hives are all screened at the bottom. 

I don't put a weight on the telescoping covers, but the bottom board doesn't have a lip and isn't therefore held to the hive body. 

Should I put a weight on the top? 

Can it be a flower pot with a plant in it? (I want it to look pretty - not just a brick or a stone - before you laugh - these are right outside my sunporch in full view of all)

Linda T in Atlanta - not usually a decorator, but hey.......
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: suprstakr on April 12, 2008, 09:09:01 AM
Flower pot would be great with a low growing or trailing plant. A hanging basket with the hanger removed . :-D
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: tillie on April 12, 2008, 09:10:55 AM
Thanks, but do they NEED a weight?

Linda T assured about the flower pot but still wondering.....in Atlanta
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: beekeeperookie on April 12, 2008, 09:51:54 AM
i wouldnt think you wouldn't need anything, most of the bottom boards are heavy atleast the ones I have.  Compared to the telescoping covers. 
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: Bee-Bop on April 12, 2008, 10:19:23 AM
I would say that a lot depends on the hive location, are they somewhat protected from the wind ?

Yesterday we had 55 mph winds, and 2 extra hives without weights are scattered, those weighted down came thru ok.

Bee-Bop
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: tillie on April 12, 2008, 10:26:36 AM
You're in the midwest and I'm in the deep South - there are trees all around me and we rarely get strong winds - if we had 55 mph we'd be in the middle of a hurricane!  But that said, maybe I should go for a weight just to be sure.  I've never needed a weight on top of the telescoping tops but an animal, for example, would have a hard time taking it off where a possum (we do have those wandering around at night) might be able to topple the top off of a bottom board topped hive.....hmmm

LT, thinking now of flower pots in Atlanta
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: Jerrymac on April 12, 2008, 11:14:00 AM
Thursday three trucks got blown off the road just north of here. We had 60+ mph winds. Get them all the time.

I suppose even around here a big heavy flower pot would work.
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: JP on April 12, 2008, 11:20:57 AM
Linda, some colonies will propolize like the dickens, these you probably don't need any weight on, others, you better put something on the top covers.

Here's an idea you can expand on, some food for thought, if you will. You mentioned flower pots, how about filling the bottoms with rocks or concrete, adding a layer of top soil above that and your plant, You have something heavy and something nice to look at.


...JP
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: annette on April 12, 2008, 12:58:46 PM
We also do not get strong winds around here during this warmer time of year, but I have a brick on top of each hive because I heard that racoons can sometimes go for bee hives.

I like JP's suggestion though.

Take some more photos of the end result. Always like to know what you are up to.

Annette
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: malabarchillin on April 12, 2008, 04:52:50 PM
I would not feel comfortable thinking in a freak gust (or squirrel) the tops might be removed and exposed to the sun, rain or robbed out. Perhaps your grandkids could paint some bricks for you or you could paint them matching or contrasting colors of your hives ?
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: Michael Bush on April 12, 2008, 05:46:38 PM
It depends on your climate.  About once a year we get some 60 mph winds and some of my shingles blow off my roof.  I've had hives blow over with cement blocks on them.
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: Ross on April 12, 2008, 06:07:03 PM
My hives sit low.  I have never weighted them.  The bees usually propolize them sufficiently to hold things together.  I've never had one blow over and only an occasional top (one a year maybe).  We regularly have 60 mph and up thunderstorm blasts.  If it's all empty frames and several boxes high, you probably need a weight.  If it has wax, bees, and nectar, I don't think so.
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: Bigeddie on April 12, 2008, 08:48:40 PM
Better to be safe than sorry.  :)
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: jimmy_in_texas on April 12, 2008, 10:27:05 PM
When I was about 11 years old, me and my 10 year old brother snuck into a nearby field and tried to open a hive with butter knives, we thought if we pulled our socks over our pants, had socks on our hands, and a kind of screen wire hood us kids made, we could steal some honey, thank God there was a large brick on top of the hive which we couldnt lift off due to the height, although we still tried to pry the chambers apart and splintered some wood.  we finally gave up and left.   Personally, I would never have an unweighted hive. I also think it helps reduce propolising of the hive joints a little.
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: Cindi on April 13, 2008, 11:10:18 AM
Linda, I like JP's suggestion of the weighted plant pot.  I know that you love flowers and I can bet you will come up with a very interesting design.  I remember a picture you put here that has some pretty Bacopa in it, it stuck out in my mind.  Beauty.  Have the most beautiful and wonderous day, Cindi
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: steveouk on April 13, 2008, 12:59:33 PM
why don't you use some of those Elastic Bungees (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=12148&memberId=12500226&catalogId=40000000226), if you get the type in the photo then you can alter the length. you could clip them round to your hand holds and then put a flower pot on top and it wouldn't matter about the weight. if they are a bit long you can just tie a knot in the elastic to shorten them
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: Michael Bush on April 13, 2008, 03:27:11 PM
Here's my new method:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#topclip
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: reinbeau on April 13, 2008, 03:27:49 PM
We use the little wooden lid that comes off the package, put it on the top, and put either a brick or a granite cobblestone on i.  Works well, cheap insurance!
Title: Re: Weight on the tops of hives
Post by: Brian D. Bray on April 15, 2008, 12:39:46 AM
Quote from: Michael Bush on April 13, 2008, 03:27:11 PM
Here's my new method:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#topclip

I use 2 red bricks per hive.  Just treat bottom boards concerted to top entrances they same as migratory type tops.  IMO every top should be weighted down--the higher the prevailing winds the more weight.