After losing two nucs to ants I came up with a solution for those darn Argentine ants that raid hives here in California. I made "T's" with 1" galvanized pipe. At the bottom of the T joint, I slipped on 2" white PVC end caps after drilling holes in them. I hung them upside down on the pipe and filled them with high temp bearing grease that doesn't run in the heat. The rain won't be a factor because they're upside down under hives.
I pounded the pipe legs into the ground 2 feet deep. I secured the 2x6 PT frame to the T joints with plumbing strap. The cross members are resting on the T joints to better handle hive weight. NO MORE ANT PROBLEMS! (Sorry about the finger in the second pic)
(http://s18.postimage.org/7xwcoh7qd/Ant_Proof_Hive_Stand_Grease.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7xwcoh7qd/)
(http://s18.postimage.org/b60u1iu05/Ant_Proof_Hive_Stand_1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/b60u1iu05/)
(http://s14.postimage.org/ipzw3frct/Ant_Proof_Hive_Stand_2.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ipzw3frct/)
(http://s17.postimage.org/tmmikh4h7/Ant_Proof_Hive_Stand_3.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/tmmikh4h7/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/ufnmwnyfr/Ant_Proof_Hive_Stand_4.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ufnmwnyfr/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/e5xgtrnrr/Ant_Proof_Hive_Stand_5.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/e5xgtrnrr/)
I think I know what I'm doing this weekend ;)
Thank you for posting the detailed pictures, BlevinsBees!
On a TBH with 4x4 legs I put a gal ice cream bucket under each leg and filled it with water. In the summer have to refill bucket about once a week. I now have hives on a concrete slab, easier to keep ants and other things out.
Joe
Nice stand. Looks like it also makes for good airflow and ventilation, much more streamline than cinder blocks. I too have raging ant issues and like the whole grease idea. This winter will be a build time for me and I certainly have a hive stand on the list. Thanks for the pics.