Migratory v. telescoping top

Pond Creek Farm · August 02, 2008, 07:31:49 PM

I am noticing that the telescoping covers make one heck of a racket when I pry them off. The load crack as the propolis gives way seems to upset the bees. Do migratory tops have this issue? If not, I may may me up a few and start using them. It is hard to be smooth when you're making all that noise.

Janemma · August 02, 2008, 07:50:37 PM

Do you use an inner cover? The only time I have had a problem with propolis and my telescoping top is when I used my top without an inner cover - I hived a swarm and was without an inner cover for a couple of weeks...I had a real problem getting into the hive because of the propolis each time.

Once I added the inner cover everything was fine and with my other hives I don't ever have a problem because of the inner covers.

Jim134 · August 02, 2008, 07:56:16 PM

Do you use inner cover??

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Pond Creek Farm · August 02, 2008, 07:59:46 PM

No, should I? From the noise perspective, it sounds as if I should. Is that they only purpose?

Janemma · August 02, 2008, 08:03:42 PM

Quote from: Pond Creek Farm on August 02, 2008, 07:59:46 PM
No, should I? From the noise perspective, it sounds as if I should. Is that they only purpose?

I'm sure its not their ONLY purpose but it definitely helps with this issue ;) from my experience anyway - but this is my first year with bees!

ccwonka · August 02, 2008, 08:26:18 PM

In colder times it (an inner cover) helps with insulation, not much of an issue her in Georgia, but the telescoping top is designed to go with an inner cover to provide the correct amount of "bee space". A migratory top works without it. You'll get eveything propolised down no matter which way you do it, but if you respect bee space and the right gaps by using either just a migratory, or both an inner and a telescoping you'll have less issue with them filling in 'inadequate' gaps.

Jim134 · August 02, 2008, 10:32:55 PM

If you run Telescoping tops you need inner covers.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Moonshae · August 02, 2008, 11:22:34 PM

Inner covers will definitely make it easier to get the tops off. I find they don't crack like that too much unless I haven't been in the hive for a long time.

Kathyp · August 03, 2008, 01:05:20 AM

migratory covers are cheaper. i use inner covers for the insulation, to put my feeder jars on, and to put dry sugar on for winter. it also helps keep the rain out with the migratory covers.

Ross · August 03, 2008, 10:01:32 AM

Quoteit also helps keep the rain out with the migratory covers.

Do what? Migratory covers are much cheaper. I can make them for $2 each. I use them to put my feeder cans on too (1" or 2" hole). Rain is not an issue at all, the bees propolise them. As to insulation, that may be true for northern beeks, but I know a bunch of them that now use migratory covers. If I need to feed dry sugar, I just use an empty super and it's still cheaper than an inner and outer cover. Need ventilation, just prop up a corner with a twig.

buzzbee · August 03, 2008, 10:06:18 AM

Up north you need the ventilation to dissipate moisture.If you have top entrances it's not too much of an issue,but using bottom entrances you almost need the inner cover and telescoping for air flow.Moisture in winter is harder on the bees than cold.

Kathyp · August 03, 2008, 12:04:36 PM

QuoteDo what?

was i unclear? keeps the rain out.

when it comes sideways, as it often does here, it can blow under the migratory cover. the inner cover, especially with sugar on it, catches most. it also gives the migratory cover a better seat on the hive. this is especially true when you have older equipment that might be a little warped or not square.

Michael Bush · August 03, 2008, 02:17:36 PM

>If you run Telescoping tops you need inner covers.

Exactly. If you want to use your telescopic (you already have them) and you don't have inner covers, then cut some plywood to the size of the box and put it inbetween. Scrape the propolis off the telescopic and put it on top of the plywood. A hole in the plywood the size of a canning jar covered with #8 hardware cloth will make it double as a feeder.

Ross · August 03, 2008, 04:22:51 PM

Quotewhen it comes sideways, as it often does here, it can blow under the migratory cover.

Uh, no. We get sideways rain too, 80 MPH thunderstorms. Migratory tops don't even blow off if they've been on for a few weeks. I think you might be confusing condensation. Try propping up a corner for some ventilation. Blowing rain is not an issue.

Kathyp · August 03, 2008, 05:55:16 PM

if they have glued down the top, it's not an issue. some hives do that better than others.

we will go from october to june with rain almost every day. very often, very hard, and with much wind. any crack will allow rain in. not condensation, but running rivers. by using the inner cover there is a gap not only for condensation but for those puddles that can often form. sugar on the inner cover absorbs much of this moisture and also give emergency food if they need it. the combination of inner cover, migratory top, and bricks, gives a pretty good seal around the top. now.....if i lived in a drier place, or if i had not gotten so many of them in a bulk buy, i might look for another way to waterproof the top a little better, or i'd use telescoping covers. a couple of years ago, i did experiment with roofing paper. it did an ok job, but was kind of a pain.

Pond Creek Farm · August 03, 2008, 06:15:00 PM

I searched the barn and found that I had a couple of inner covers. I'll put those on and hopefully end my rather loud announcements to the bees that I am invading their home. Can I just set a quart jar over the oblong holes and put a medium on for feeding?

Kathyp · August 03, 2008, 06:24:36 PM

if the medium is tall enough. i don't bother as long as it's not raining. if your feeder is heavy or you inner covers are not sturdy, try putting a strip of wood under the inner cover close to the hole. this will keep the cover from sagging down and warping.

Ross · August 03, 2008, 10:36:41 PM

I think I understand. You use real inner covers with the raised rim and the slot. I use flat plywood with no rim. I've never seen rain penetrate it, even when we had 12" one day this spring in a week with 20" total. I would never spend the money for a real inner cover.

Kathyp · August 04, 2008, 12:25:37 AM

that's it. have not decided what to do when i run out of them. a problem for another day..... :-)

BMAC · August 04, 2008, 09:01:20 AM

Quote from: Pond Creek Farm on August 03, 2008, 06:15:00 PM
I searched the barn and found that I had a couple of inner covers. I'll put those on and hopefully end my rather loud announcements to the bees that I am invading their home. Can I just set a quart jar over the oblong holes and put a medium on for feeding?

Besides the fact it will settle the bees more, you will save your telescoping lids from the excess wear and tear of prying those things off the propolis every time you enter the hive. They tend to start falling apart after a while of doing that without the inner cover in place.