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MEMBER BULLETIN BOARD => PHOTO PAGE - MEMBER PHOTOS & BEE-MOVIES HERE! => Topic started by: buzzbee on March 18, 2007, 12:52:25 PM

Title: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: buzzbee on March 18, 2007, 12:52:25 PM
(http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/4034/img2182fo2.th.jpg) (http://img393.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img2182fo2.jpg)
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: Kathyp on March 18, 2007, 08:04:33 PM
that's  really cool.  did you make it yourself?  does it have an outside entrance?  how do you access it for cleaning, feeding, etc.?  how many frames does it hold? 
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: buzzbeejr on March 18, 2007, 09:47:44 PM
Quote from: kathyp on March 18, 2007, 08:04:33 PM
that's  really cool.  did you make it yourself?  does it have an outside entrance?  how do you access it for cleaning, feeding, etc.?  how many frames does it hold? 
no,yes,i am not sure,4.
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: buzzbee on March 18, 2007, 10:01:07 PM
Kathy,
We purchased this unit from drapers.It has a double door outside entrance,one to close off the hive and the other that closes the tube in the turntable below.It has three deep and 1 medium frame.It is able to be carried outside to clean the glass and it has a place to insert a jar feeder.
This is something my wife really wanted and since she puts up with junior and I we need to keep her happy too! ;)
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: Kathyp on March 19, 2007, 09:01:10 PM
i'll see if i can look it up.  that looks so nice!
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: tillie on March 19, 2007, 09:41:31 PM
Did you have to cut a hole in the wall for the tube entry? 

I want an observation hive and have convinced my daughter's boyfriend to help me build it, but I can't feel good about cutting a hole in the wall.  I'm considering using a window on the back side of the house (facing south) and putting wood in the window opening with a hole cut in it for the tube.

Linda T
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: Understudy on March 19, 2007, 09:47:43 PM
Quote from: tillie on March 19, 2007, 09:41:31 PM
Did you have to cut a hole in the wall for the tube entry? 

I want an observation hive and have convinced my daughter's boyfriend to help me build it, but I can't feel good about cutting a hole in the wall.  I'm considering using a window on the back side of the house (facing south) and putting wood in the window opening with a hole cut in it for the tube.

Linda T

Secure a sheet of thick plywood in the space of an open window. Drill a hole in the plywood for the opening tube to the observation hive. If the wood is to dark, get a thick piece of plexiglass or clear lucite and have a hole drilled in that and secure it in the window opening. That way the light comes in.


Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: buzzbee on March 19, 2007, 10:04:13 PM
The board with the tube through to go in the window opening:
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/kwrabbit/IMG_2183.jpg)
The board installed in the window opening:
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/kwrabbit/IMG_2184.jpg)
I will hook the tube to the observation hive just before the bees come!
Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: tillie on March 19, 2007, 10:48:59 PM
Great pictures - thanks - I can do that and not even worry about security at my house since the window I would use is on the back of the house on the second floor.....

Thanks for sharing the pictures and the ideas about either wood or plexiglass.

Linda T
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: likes2grill on March 19, 2007, 10:56:46 PM
Very nice set up you have there Ken. Good Luck and many happy viewing days.
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: pdmattox on March 20, 2007, 10:18:59 AM
I like the setup.  Coming soon, bee tv 24/7. :-D
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: Robo on March 20, 2007, 10:21:15 AM
Ken,   really nice job on the exit.

Quote from: tillie on March 19, 2007, 10:48:59 PM
I can do that and not even worry about security at my house since the window I would use is on the back of the house on the second floor.....

I have a similar set-up except it is vertical in a (unused) sliding door in our living room.  I made a board that sits in the track and jams the slider from opening.   You could use the same principle on a window for secuirty.

Unfortunately my house has all casement windows,  so I had to come up with an alternate method.  I did rig up something in a basement window with insulation board for wintering nucs at one time, but sure not something I would get away with in the house.

(http://robo.hydroville.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=316&g2_serialNumber=1)
Title: Re: Our observation hive,waiting for bees
Post by: reinbeau on March 20, 2007, 10:45:46 AM
I like that setup, Robo, I may be stealing it someday.  I've got the perfect window for it! 

One of our clubmembers has kept five nucs in his cellar over the winter.  The way winters go around here I don't think it's a bad idea.