Our observation hive,waiting for bees

[buzzbee]

[Kathyp]

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? 

[buzzbeejr]

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.

[buzzbee]

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! ;)

[Kathyp]

i'll see if i can look it up.  that looks so nice!

[tillie]

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

[Understudy]

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

[buzzbee]

The board with the tube through to go in the window opening:

The board installed in the window opening:

I will hook the tube to the observation hive just before the bees come!
Hope this helps!

[tillie]

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

[likes2grill]

Very nice set up you have there Ken. Good Luck and many happy viewing days.

[pdmattox]

I like the setup.  Coming soon, bee tv 24/7. :-D

[Robo]

Ken,   really nice job on the exit.

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.

[reinbeau]

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.