One of my weaknesses is hive notes... one of my other major weaknesses is memory :shocked: My mentor uses a color coded tape system (red, green, yellow, blue) or the old brick on top laying down, on end etc. I like the tape but want more detail.
I have seen the Palmer write on duct tape method and I like it but I can not find a brand of duct tape that the permanent marker does not wash off of in a few weeks. I know a silly question but anyone have a good brand that writing stays put on?
I've been using the blue painters tape on the back of my hives. It sticks well to my painted boxes, not so good on the couple of boxes that aren't painted. I had to pull the tape off this spring that I put on last fall. I could still read what was written on it with permanent marker. I don't know if it would fade too much if it was on top of the hive though.
I was usually wrote all the information in a tablet but the propolis is a big problem. A Greek beekeeper named Alexandros Gousiaris invent the beenotes. I asked from a friend to be in the beek development team and waiting for the codes. Just excited!
http://www.beenotes.com
Looks pretty interesting. One big problem for me would bee weather I have Internet access at my hives when I am at the farm. It might work because we now have WIFI set up in the house and we have been finding out that it goes out side pretty far.
Jim
Have you tried writing on a white background with a carpenters pencil?
Back in my SCUBA-diving days, we used to write notes underwater using a soft lead pencil on 'note-pads' made from Formica (tm). Off-cuts of white formica are ideal - a quick rub-over with very fine glass-paper is all it takes to provides an ideal surface for writing on.
LJ
LJ - Nice idea on the Formica.
I have a side table for my table saw with a formica top. I routinely use the top to keep measurements handy. I never thought to transfer the idea to the hive.
To @monarchis and all,
Thank you for mentioning beenotes. You are very welcome to sign up and start using it. We are in beta and need feedback so it would be an honour for us to hear from you. Just head over to beenotes.com, sign up, setup your first apiary, download the app from the Google Play Store and start with your hive inspections. You DON'T need to have a data or wifi connection. You can sync your inspection data once you're within wifi range again.
Let me know if you have any questions on our voice-controlled data keeping app.
Thank you
Vicki
If you use telescoping covers put the duck tape on the inside of the cover. I use file cards, one for each colony, for the permanent records, the tape inside the cover is just a backup.
if you wear white painters pants you can write in pencil on your pants legs. copy into a notebook at the house & the pencil goes away in the wash.
Did you try the grease pencil, i used the grease pencil to mark the day for my JUGLINE catfish fishing, the marker stay under water more than month had no problem.
I am now using file cards now that my wife is working with me. When I start working in a hive, I give the card to my wife and she writes the notes. Then when we are done with that hive I just toss it back on top of the STB.
Jim