Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Shizzell on April 27, 2008, 12:38:55 AM

Title: Indoor Observatory Hives
Post by: Shizzell on April 27, 2008, 12:38:55 AM
Hey All,

I had this weird idea, I'm sure a lot of you had this idea as well, but I remember someone had broadcasted they had made a hive body out of plexi glass. I was wondering if I could route a pipe from the entrance of the transparent hive body to the outside of my house. That would be really really cool. I'm just wondering how that would work during the winter, also I have never heard anyone comment on light. I know there are mixed feelings on if bees appreciate or do not like light in the hive. Has anyone ever seen a contraption like this? Give me your thoughts.

Thanks,

Jake
Title: Re: Indoor Observatory Hives
Post by: Kathyp on April 27, 2008, 01:00:36 AM
there are several people on here who have them. i have one that i have not put up yet.  do a search and i think you'll find some good ideas from the folks here.
Title: Re: Indoor Observatory Hives
Post by: Bill W. on April 27, 2008, 01:22:03 AM
When I was a kid, the insect house at the San Francisco Zoo had (and I would guess, still has) just such a hive.  Glass mounted to the inside wall, with a pipe going outside.  It was clear on all sides and the bees didn't seem too bothered by the situation.

That is probably where my interest in keeping bees originated.
Title: Re: Indoor Observatory Hives
Post by: Michael Bush on April 27, 2008, 09:37:53 AM
I've seen many observation hives with no privacy curtain to keep them dark.  I use one as the bees seem less stressed with one, but they do seem to adjust to the light being on all the time.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm
Title: Re: Indoor Observatory Hives
Post by: Shizzell on April 27, 2008, 11:33:14 AM
Alright Thanks Michael, didn't know you had a observatory page on your site. I'm reading it at the moment.

Jake
Title: Re: Indoor Observatory Hives
Post by: HAB on April 27, 2008, 01:04:33 PM
That was a great read on the observation hive page. :)
I too had missed it.
Thanks.