...will possibly be mentoring folks who plan to install a permanent 8 fr (deeps) observation hive. In order for the outside access tube to be above pedestrian traffic, the tube itself will need to be approximately 6 ft long. A shorter tube may not be possible in this case. Are there issues with bees traveling this much length of tubing? Insights?
Welcome to the forum. I haven't built my observation hive yet(it's on my to-do list) so I don't have any personal experience yet. I think it depends on the size of the pipe and how slick it is on the inside. Will it be straight or have bends in it? Hopefully some one with more experience will be able to give you better advise.
Welcome to BeeMaster.
I have one and I originally had a 36" tube that extends from the bottom of the center of the hive and then it goes out through a hole between the 4"x6" vertical beam between two windows. I had problems with it and reduced it to 30". The bees would get stuck in the tube and then hundreds of them would fill up the tube and die. I still had problems so I added a ladder that I made from #8 hard ware cloth. The tube was 1 1/8 diameter and the ladder was 1/2" by the length of the tube. Problems stopped. Keep the ladder tight so that it is not blocking the tube.
One of our members here built a hive in his shed (to hide it from neighbors) with the exit going through the roof like you have and after he added the ladder it worked fine. Try to keep it as straight as possible.
Good luck.
Jim
Sawdust and Cao, Thanks for your replys! The screen inserted as a ladder will likely work well. HD sells a heavy duty transparent type tubing (possibly for swiming pool use). This might also add to the enjoyment by viewers being able to watch the bees come and go.
Welcome to the forum. Don't forget to post pics when you get your setup ready. We love seeing how people do things.
I won't say you can't train the bees to handle a long tube. Nickerson's Farms used to have a large observation hive in the center of the store and the bees were flying at least ten feet to get out. But the longer it is the more problematic it is. Put the tube at the top of the hive. Don't use a transparent tube (the light will make it more difficult). If you are really in love with the transparent tube idea, then cover it in brown paper until the bees are trained to use it. Put a thick cotton string in the tube for a ladder. Make it as short as you can.
Thank you Michael (been reading your comments for years!!)
Lamp wick might make the perfect ladder material. Definitely more to consider!
I am thinking if the vertical section was 3" dia you wouldn't have a problem or a need for the ladder.
I've been keeping hives in my shed at home, they access via a vertical tube through the lid - it's about 2.1m/7ft long; they have no problems with this.
I used 90mm (3.5") pvc stormwater pipe which I sprayed internally with blackboard paint (aerosol) - bit tricky, you have to give it a good squirt from both ends and apply a couple of coats. I used a holesaw to cut a couple of holes in the pipe, covered these with translucent pvc sold as tablecloth material. Michael is right about covering the holes when not in use as I found that the bees will crowd themselves by walking preferentially over the translucent sections rather than walk on the black surface.
More on my trials & tribulations here:
http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=45997.msg414085#msg414085 (http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?topic=45997.msg414085#msg414085)
Also, going up vertically means that rain can come down vertically, so I've fitted a 45 degree, a 90 degree and then a 30 degree bend at the top with a short section of pipe cut obliquely to form a landing board. If you install like this, try to set it up when no rain is forecast for a day or two and leave the bend off, that way the bees can see the daylight shining down the tube and will naturally head up to it. Once they've got the idea, (takes a day or so), you can fit the bend to the top to keep the rain out.
I've got a vertical 7ft+ tube I've been using for 5+ years. I did have to hang a strap down the center so they could get up the tube though. That was a hard learned stinky lesson but once it was learned there's been no problem since. I've bet there's all type of propolis in there now so they could climb without it but I've left it in there. I love the blackboard paint idea. Clever.
Thanks to everyone... some great perspective!!
As an aside, The Silver Maples just began blooming inland of the northern Cheaspeake Bay area!
With weeekend temps predicted close to or above the 60 degree range, our bees will finally have access to some fresh pollen and nectar!