plastic hives

[super dave]

hi all
just wondering if any one has ever tried  plastic for their hive-- i have a sorce for some 3/4 sheet plastic and if i use stainless steel screews i thinking that the hive would last  for some time--- hmmmm deep thoughts from a new beekeeper

[Finsky]

--- hmmmm deep thoughts from a new beekeeper

I have had plastic foam beehives since 1987. They are very common now in Finland.

[super dave]

:mrgreen:

[AdmiralD]

Hey Finsky,

Where do you get your styrofoam hives?  Who manufactures them?

And do they speak/read english?

[Michael Bush]

The foam hives are higher density foam than regular styrofoam.  It's more like balsa wood density.  I've tried regular white styrofoam and the bees chew it up.  It makes nice insulation on top of the lid, though.

[Michael Bush]

Betterbee and Dadant have the foam hives here in the US.

[AdmiralD]

The foam hives are higher density foam than regular styrofoam. It's more like balsa wood density. I've tried regular white styrofoam and the bees chew it up.

Hmmmm....My bees have not chewed it up,...but of course, my hives are painted. .....on the outside...not on the inside...Hmmmmm... Whata feedin those bees, Micheal?    

[Michael Bush]

Styrofoam, apparently.  :)

[eivindm]

Hey Finsky,

Where do you get your styrofoam hives?  Who manufactures them?

And do they speak/read english?

I don't know what finsky uses, but in Norway the styrofoam hives are produced by Jackon.  As far as I know, they are an industry leader in hard styrofoam and produces many other things than hives as well.  Their web page is unfortunately only in Norwegian.

[Finsky]

Hey Finsky,

Where do you get your styrofoam hives?

We have a couple of suppliers. But I saw your supliers here in net and it's cost was about half of our price.

[downunder]

Parkers Engineering in Australia do complete moulded plastic boxes, floorboards and lids. I'll post some pictures if interested.

We are using hundreds at present. We have had them going for over 25 years.

Would not be as insulating in the cold

http://www.bindaree.com.au/pricelists/products/plastic_hive.htm

[super dave]

thanks that is the first real responce tothe thought  ihad from the start-- now i'm ready to give it a try
thanks

[randydrivesabus]

i have some EPS sheets left over from insulating my roof/ceiling. they are rejects from insulating cores of steel entrance doors. they are about 1 1/4" thick. i wonder if i can make them into hives.
what do you use to attach them together? glue?

[downunder]

Plastic hives are put togetherst with stainless steel screws.

[halfabee]

I use the plastic beehives that are available from Better Bee Hives (.com.au) and find that they are very cost effective and are a great design. The parts go well together and the price is very affordable when compared to the other plastic hives on offer around the place. The lid by example was $27.50 and others are selling their for $44. I had a good look at the more expensive options before I made my choice and am very happy with the decision and subsequent savings I made. Talking to the people that import these (from Greece apparently) and they advised that they have been importing these for more than 3 years now and that they are pleased with the responses that they have had from the beekeepers that use them. They also had a range of colours which is something new in the world of plastic hives so I opted for egg yolk yellow (as they describe it) and am very happy (as the bees appear to be) with the decision.

Add to this the optional extras also available from the same supplier and frankly these hives are second to none, they also appear to be the most cost effective plastic hive available today which is also a nice reason to buy as it helps my $$$ go further.

Hey, just my 2 cents worth.

[buzzbee]

 Interesting hive bodies halfabee,
http://betterbeehives.com.au/product/technoset-bee-complete-hive-double-box/