Since its so dag gone cold outside and I have no idea how things are going in my hive... I'm just wondering if anyone has ever made a hive body entirely of plexiglass? It looks like you can get it up to 1" thick. I think it would make a pretty cool observation hive. Biggest drawbacks I see are a) typically its dark in a hive and this would be bright all day and b) I have no idea if it has the same insulating qualities of wood. too hot in the summer and not enough insulation properties in the winter.
It would work but you would need to make some kind of cover or curtain to block most of the light because:
A. bees would start to build propalis to block out too much light.
B. sunlight in the summer would melt the wax.
insulation wouldn't really be a factor but condensation might
I have a deep that I use for school presentations, but would never consider using it for real. Too many issues to deal with.
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/frames-and-frame-assembly/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/frames-and-frame-assembly/)
You'd be better off to put a window in a wooden box like they do with some TBH. Be forewarned though, it won't help much because the cluster will be buried in the middle frames out of sight. There is a reason observation hives are only one frame wide :-P
I have built them with Plexiglass sides and an insert to close them.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm#pictures (http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm#pictures)
But it works best with foundationless or the foundation blocks your view anyway.
Good points- thanks- I guess I was just trying to figure out a way to peer inside without disturbing them this winter. I guess I'll just sit tight and wait for a warm day.
Build your boxes with plexi or lexan!
Just put a second set of boxes surrounding them - along same idea as the "lifts" of the WBC or CDB hives. Should solve most of the heat and light issues, anyway.