Installed Two Nucs

FatherMichael · May 02, 2020, 10:16:08 PM

After a 5 hour drive from San Antonio - installed two nucs at the Bostick place in insulated Paradise hives. Gave them 1 gallon of feed each.

It was a weird 101* here today.

Last spring I was worried that my new bees would be too cold.

Now I'm worried that these will be too hot!

JurassicApiary · May 03, 2020, 12:24:51 AM

I'm not familiar with the Paradise insulated hives, although I have two Apimaye insulated hived that I'm currently testing. Does the Paradise IH have a screened bottom? In addition to the insulation, that would help in preventing overheating as well.

FatherMichael · May 03, 2020, 10:47:47 AM

Quote from: JurassicApiary on May 03, 2020, 12:24:51 AM
I'm not familiar with the Paradise insulated hives, although I have two Apimaye insulated hived that I'm currently testing. Does the Paradise IH have a screened bottom? In addition to the insulation, that would help in preventing overheating as well.

Yes, it has a screened bottom and vents at the top.

The bottom has an insert that can be easily removed. I'll go back and do that today because the forecast has two more days of unseasonably high heat.

I really like these hives: https://www.blueskybeesupply.com/polystyrene-hives-components/

Ben Framed · May 03, 2020, 11:10:36 AM

Friends, I have a question. What good does it do to use an insulated hive body if you have a screened bottom and vents on top? Will you not achieve the same results that Brother Langstroth design using a similar set up? (Screened bottoms and vents in the top?

Ben Framed · May 03, 2020, 11:32:04 AM

Let me add, congratulations on the two nucs!! Good deal!

van from Arkansas · May 03, 2020, 12:42:52 PM

Great news Father Michael, new hives.

I have 2 types of insulated hives I am trying. One type had inserts in the bottom board. The issue I see is the screen on the bottom inserts us open enough for a small hive beetle to transverse. So I sealed the bottom inserts with silicone as SHB are a serious hive predator in my area.

JurassicApiary · May 03, 2020, 01:06:54 PM

Quote from: Ben Framed on May 03, 2020, 11:10:36 AM
Friends, I have a question. What good does it do to use an insulated hive body if you have a screened bottom and vents on top? Will you not achieve the same results that Brother Langstroth design using a similar set up? (Screened bottoms and vents in the top?

BF, in my instance as our temperatures here don't fluctuate to extremes as some localities do, I'm testing the insulated hive primarily because of how wet/damp my climate is. My home is in a rain forest and we receive 150+ inches of rain annually. I'm hoping the insulated hive offers greater longevity (it doesn't rot), ease of maintenance, and less mold/milder issues to contend with for the bees and myself.

JurassicApiary · May 03, 2020, 01:24:03 PM

Quote from: FatherMichael on May 03, 2020, 10:47:47 AM
Quote from: JurassicApiary on May 03, 2020, 12:24:51 AM
I'm not familiar with the Paradise insulated hives, although I have two Apimaye insulated hived that I'm currently testing. Does the Paradise IH have a screened bottom? In addition to the insulation, that would help in preventing overheating as well.

Yes, it has a screened bottom and vents at the top.

The bottom has an insert that can be easily removed. I'll go back and do that today because the forecast has two more days of unseasonably high heat.

I really like these hives: https://www.blueskybeesupply.com/polystyrene-hives-components/

Neat hives. I have seen polystyrene NUC's before, but not complete hive setups. The insulated hive I use is a plastic material inside and out with an insulating foam core. So far they're working flawlessly with our high rain volume.

FatherMichael · May 03, 2020, 03:49:12 PM

Quote from: Ben Framed on May 03, 2020, 11:10:36 AM
Friends, I have a question. What good does it do to use an insulated hive body if you have a screened bottom and vents on top? Will you not achieve the same results that Brother Langstroth design using a similar set up? (Screened bottoms and vents in the top?

Both the bottom screen and top vents can be closed off. The top vents have plugs and the bottom screen has the sliding insert in a groove molded into the bottom board that can be removed.

Not sure SHBs can cling onto the screen.

amymcg · May 03, 2020, 03:54:49 PM

I?ve been using the beemax polystyrene hives for over 10 years. They outlasted all of my woodenware deep bodies.

Mine do not have top vents, only a screened bottom board

FatherMichael · May 04, 2020, 07:52:34 PM

Quote from: amymcg on May 03, 2020, 03:54:49 PM
I?ve been using the beemax polystyrene hives for over 10 years. They outlasted all of my woodenware deep bodies.

Mine do not have top vents, only a screened bottom board

The six-frame nucs of the Paradise hives are the same.

Here in West Texas we have very high temps in the summer. Not even summer yet and 102* today. Vents in the top are important.