Skep tools needed

qa33010 · June 07, 2009, 02:05:35 AM

I'm looking for the equipment I need to make a skep. No, I don't plan on keeping bees in them, especially since it is illegal. I do want to use them as a teaching aid for displays, historical talks, and teach myself how to make a skep to be used in a classroom. I prefer to do it my self and don't want one already made. I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

BenC · June 07, 2009, 03:39:09 PM

how many skeps do you need to make? A sharp pocketknife and a knitting needle or similar pointed stick are all that are really needed.

http://mkat.iwf.de/iwf/do/mkat/listing.aspx?Action=Schnell&SearchStr=skep

If that link works, you can see a few videos to help get you started. If not, try:

http://mkat.iwf.de/iwf/default_en.htm

and type "skep" in the search field in the upper left.

Bill W. · June 07, 2009, 11:08:39 PM

It is illegal to keep bees in a skep? Why?

Natalie · June 08, 2009, 12:11:06 AM

The law is that all hives must have removable frames.
The thought is that skeps and the like can harbor diseases, you also have to destroy the hive to harvest the honey.

Brian D. Bray · June 08, 2009, 12:38:39 AM

Quote from: Natalie on June 08, 2009, 12:11:06 AM
The law is that all hives must have removable frames.
The thought is that skeps and the like can harbor diseases, you also have to destroy the hive to harvest the honey.

Not always, rope skeps were made to accept bowls, buckets, and other objects as a removable honey super. Some just placed a large jar atop the hive and harvested it when full. I mention how to make a small demo model the the craft section.

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,18062.0.html

Natalie · June 08, 2009, 11:42:23 AM

So what is the law regarding skeps then?

Brian D. Bray · June 10, 2009, 12:57:47 AM

Quote from: Natalie on June 08, 2009, 11:42:23 AM
So what is the law regarding skeps then?

In the United States almost every state requires a hive with removable frames, if you can build a skep with removable frames it would be legal.

qa33010 · June 12, 2009, 02:23:16 PM

I'm sorry. I wrote that wrong. The law here is honeybees must be kept with removeable frames. I meant the 'old' original skeps that I used to see when I was a munchkin. There was no way to remove the comb for inspection without destroying it.

Hives With Movable Frames Required. a person may not keep bees in a hive which does not
have movable frames. Movable frames permit thorough examination of every brood comb in a hive
to determine the presence of disease.

I'm sorry again. Thanks for the links...Ben and Brian, I keep forgetting about the IWF videos and the jar links. Thanks again!