New Observation Hive

Greg Peck · January 28, 2009, 06:55:30 PM

I decided to build this Observation Hive because I wanted to. My wife said no bees in the house. So I built it anyway :evil: I might be in trouble but some times you just have to do what you have to do. I put it on my desk so I can sit here and watch my bugs. Maybe I should have put it in the dog house..who knows, only time will tell.

Will the bees in an observation hive build on a foundation less frame? I was thinking about leaving the top frame open with just popsicle sticks in order to watch them build it. Just want to make sure that is not a problem in an OH.

What are your thoughts about ripping open a hive and putting some bees in the OH right now. It is about 30 degrees outside....I know I will have to wait till spring :(

Click to enlarge!

Brian D. Bray · January 28, 2009, 07:20:02 PM

The bees should build the foundationless frame regardless of whether or not it is in a nuc, regular hive, or OB hive. I think with the OB hive I'd prefer to use a small strip of foundation glued into the groove to better insure the bees work the wax where you want it.
You are going to enjoy watching them draw that frame of comb, just watching how they festoon themselves across the frame while working is a treat.

With the OB hive on the desk I'd like to seea picture of the Rube Goldberg contraption you make for an entrance.

Kathyp · January 28, 2009, 07:55:38 PM

if you put it in the house, you can put bees in it now! :evil: don't tell you wife i said that!

pretty nice! did you work from a plan?

tlynn · January 28, 2009, 08:40:19 PM

Quote from: Greg Peck on January 28, 2009, 06:55:30 PM
I decided to build this Observation Hive because I wanted to. My wife said no bees in the house. So I built it anyway :evil: I might be in trouble but some times you just have to do what you have to do. I put it on my desk so I can sit here and watch my bugs. Maybe I should have put it in the dog house..who knows, only time will tell.

Well YOU just might be in the dog house Greg! :shock:

johnnybigfish · January 28, 2009, 08:49:21 PM

Man...here we go with the ob hives...I think I'm gonna have to get one!!
your friend,
john
Nice job Greg!

Greg Peck · January 28, 2009, 08:54:13 PM

I will submit a photo for review of my Rube Goldberg contraption to get the bees outside. I was just going to let them exit that little hose I have in the hive now and then leave the window open a crack.. That might really upset the wife! I plan on just making a piece of wood to go between the window and the frame of the window. I would put a hole in it then put a piece of 1 1/4 tubing from the hive to the window.

I did use the beesource plan for a reference then I used MB's dimensions and advice. Then the rest I just made up as I went. I made it so I can take the top off to dump bees in and remove the top frame. In order to manipulate the hive deeper I will have to take one of the glasses out that involves taking out 10 screws. It was my understanding that they did not HAVE to be manipulated too often. I kind of want to let it go and see how everything works "naturally" (I dont know how natural it is for bees to be in a glass box on a desk coming and going through a tube).

buzzbee · January 28, 2009, 09:30:41 PM

Greg,
the 1 1/4 inch works well. Just keep the run as short as you can. here was how I did mine ,but a shorter tube would be benificial.
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,8307.msg52175.html#msg52175

Kathyp · January 28, 2009, 09:47:05 PM

i got my husband to drill a hole through the wall. when he did that, we realized that this old house didn't have any insulation in the LR. that led to tearing out the plasterboard and putting in insulation, repainting, etc.

the bees are happy and the room is warmer!

Greg Peck · January 28, 2009, 10:12:09 PM

Thanks Ken that is what I was thinking about doing. I probably saw yours back when that post was first posted. My tubing will only need to be about 2 feet maybe less. Did you put anything on the outside like a landing board or is it just a hole?

iddee · January 28, 2009, 11:22:48 PM

>>>>What are your thoughts about ripping open a hive and putting some bees in the OH right now.<<<<

Go ahead and open the hive, look for 30 minutes for the queen and set the frames of bees aside until you find her.

I'm sure your wife will be quite happy with the results. :shock: :-D

Greg Peck · January 28, 2009, 11:30:44 PM

Whos side are you on Iddee? ? ? ? ? ?

buzzbee · January 29, 2009, 07:49:29 AM

Greg,
I just let them use the open hole,I did put a 45 degree elbow to turn away from the cold wind in winter though. At times if they are busy,they will cluster on the house around the opening but a shorter tube than I have will alleviate a lot of that.

iddee · January 29, 2009, 10:59:44 AM

I learned 40 years ago who wins in a husband/wife disagreement. I try to be on the winning side.

Brian D. Bray · January 29, 2009, 10:37:46 PM

Quote from: iddee on January 29, 2009, 10:59:44 AM
I learned 40 years ago who wins in a husband/wife disagreement. I try to be on the winning side.

Yes, dear. Of course, dear. Anything you say, dear. That's the winning side.

iddee · January 29, 2009, 11:48:59 PM

You got that just right, Brian.

Greg Peck · February 01, 2009, 07:35:42 PM

I joked earlier about taking apart a hive and starting up this ob hive now. But now I am asking seriously. I have several hives that are very light which I have put sugar dust on for emergency feeding. Would it be a dumb idea to wait till a warm day and set up the ob hive with one of the light hives? That way I could feed them sugar water or honey in the house and it will be warmer. Just wondering.

Beaver Dam · February 01, 2009, 10:11:13 PM

Been bringing in two small hives when it gets below 40. Been feeding honey in comunity feeder,practicing beelining. My smallest hive has less than 400 bees,I pour honey directly on the frames for them. Spring is just around the corner here. Looks like I'm going to get them thru this winter. Going to put them into an OB hive.

oldenglish · February 01, 2009, 10:29:19 PM

I am always in the dog house so I just do what I want anyway. I believe in the old adage " Easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission"

Kathyp · February 02, 2009, 12:31:06 AM

if you talk her into letting you put a hole in the wall....

i was concerned about wind and rain blowing into the tube. the solution was to attach an old bird house over the tube so that the end was sheltered. it has worked well, and gives them a landing board.

Brian D. Bray · February 03, 2009, 08:42:09 PM

Quote from: kathyp on February 02, 2009, 12:31:06 AM
if you talk her into letting you put a hole in the wall....

i was concerned about wind and rain blowing into the tube. the solution was to attach an old bird house over the tube so that the end was sheltered. it has worked well, and gives them a landing board.

Idea of the week award.