Weight on the tops of hives

[tillie]

As per an earlier post on this forum about using bottom boards for tops to provide a top entrance, I set up some of my new hives with bottom boards for tops as opposed to the telescoping covers I have on my other hives.  Seemed like a great way to use solid bottom boards since my hives are all screened at the bottom. 

I don't put a weight on the telescoping covers, but the bottom board doesn't have a lip and isn't therefore held to the hive body. 

Should I put a weight on the top? 

Can it be a flower pot with a plant in it? (I want it to look pretty - not just a brick or a stone - before you laugh - these are right outside my sunporch in full view of all)

Linda T in Atlanta - not usually a decorator, but hey.......

[suprstakr]

Flower pot would be great with a low growing or trailing plant. A hanging basket with the hanger removed . :-D

[tillie]

Thanks, but do they NEED a weight?

Linda T assured about the flower pot but still wondering.....in Atlanta

[beekeeperookie]

i wouldnt think you wouldn't need anything, most of the bottom boards are heavy atleast the ones I have.  Compared to the telescoping covers. 

[Bee-Bop]

I would say that a lot depends on the hive location, are they somewhat protected from the wind ?

Yesterday we had 55 mph winds, and 2 extra hives without weights are scattered, those weighted down came thru ok.

Bee-Bop

[tillie]

You're in the midwest and I'm in the deep South - there are trees all around me and we rarely get strong winds - if we had 55 mph we'd be in the middle of a hurricane!  But that said, maybe I should go for a weight just to be sure.  I've never needed a weight on top of the telescoping tops but an animal, for example, would have a hard time taking it off where a possum (we do have those wandering around at night) might be able to topple the top off of a bottom board topped hive.....hmmm

LT, thinking now of flower pots in Atlanta

[Jerrymac]

Thursday three trucks got blown off the road just north of here. We had 60+ mph winds. Get them all the time.

I suppose even around here a big heavy flower pot would work.

[JP]

Linda, some colonies will propolize like the dickens, these you probably don't need any weight on, others, you better put something on the top covers.

Here's an idea you can expand on, some food for thought, if you will. You mentioned flower pots, how about filling the bottoms with rocks or concrete, adding a layer of top soil above that and your plant, You have something heavy and something nice to look at.


...JP

[annette]

We also do not get strong winds around here during this warmer time of year, but I have a brick on top of each hive because I heard that racoons can sometimes go for bee hives.

I like JP's suggestion though.

Take some more photos of the end result. Always like to know what you are up to.

Annette

[malabarchillin]

I would not feel comfortable thinking in a freak gust (or squirrel) the tops might be removed and exposed to the sun, rain or robbed out. Perhaps your grandkids could paint some bricks for you or you could paint them matching or contrasting colors of your hives ?

[Michael Bush]

It depends on your climate.  About once a year we get some 60 mph winds and some of my shingles blow off my roof.  I've had hives blow over with cement blocks on them.

[Ross]

My hives sit low.  I have never weighted them.  The bees usually propolize them sufficiently to hold things together.  I've never had one blow over and only an occasional top (one a year maybe).  We regularly have 60 mph and up thunderstorm blasts.  If it's all empty frames and several boxes high, you probably need a weight.  If it has wax, bees, and nectar, I don't think so.

[Bigeddie]

Better to be safe than sorry.  :)

[jimmy_in_texas]

When I was about 11 years old, me and my 10 year old brother snuck into a nearby field and tried to open a hive with butter knives, we thought if we pulled our socks over our pants, had socks on our hands, and a kind of screen wire hood us kids made, we could steal some honey, thank God there was a large brick on top of the hive which we couldnt lift off due to the height, although we still tried to pry the chambers apart and splintered some wood.  we finally gave up and left.   Personally, I would never have an unweighted hive. I also think it helps reduce propolising of the hive joints a little.

[Cindi]

Linda, I like JP's suggestion of the weighted plant pot.  I know that you love flowers and I can bet you will come up with a very interesting design.  I remember a picture you put here that has some pretty Bacopa in it, it stuck out in my mind.  Beauty.  Have the most beautiful and wonderous day, Cindi

[steveouk]

why don't you use some of those Elastic Bungees, if you get the type in the photo then you can alter the length. you could clip them round to your hand holds and then put a flower pot on top and it wouldn't matter about the weight. if they are a bit long you can just tie a knot in the elastic to shorten them

[Michael Bush]

Here's my new method:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#topclip

[reinbeau]

We use the little wooden lid that comes off the package, put it on the top, and put either a brick or a granite cobblestone on i.  Works well, cheap insurance!

[Brian D. Bray]

Here's my new method:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#topclip

I use 2 red bricks per hive.  Just treat bottom boards concerted to top entrances they same as migratory type tops.  IMO every top should be weighted down--the higher the prevailing winds the more weight.