My Observation Hive...

D Coates · February 28, 2014, 11:01:51 AM

Looks good! Mine is very similar though it is only 5 deep frames. http://s196.photobucket.com/user/Drew454/library/Observation%20Hive?sort=3&page=1 From experience I would recommend a few things.

1. I only see one exit hole. I've got only a 2" hole and it becomes very congested in during flow. Because your hive is roughly 1/2 again larger than mine you'll have more congestion issues if your hole is the same size. You can't easily enlarge the hole because of the width of an OB hive, consider adding another one.

2. Weight. Mine comes off exactly like yours does. Add comfortable hand grips to the sides. It's very cumbersome as I take it outside and can weigh around 60 pounds right before winter. Yours will weigh more. Make a dolly of some form so you can immediately set it down, strap it and wheel it outside to work it. Give the dolly a wide stance as it will want to tip over.

3. Make sure your bottom board is wide to help with stability when it's open and your working them. I've had it almost blow over with slight breezes because the height catches wind like a sale. Huge pucker factor when you see it move and you're in the middle of something that you can't set down quickly.

4. Hinge your door. You'll get into the hive more than you might think especially at the start. Unscrewing the door is not much fun but use some nice hinges and hardware that can bear weight. There's a whole lot of torque and replacing bent hinges stinks.

5. Covers. Make them out of thin plywood so it looks professional and protects the glass when moving the hive. Use twist screen latches to hold your covers on. It make it very easy to remove/replace the cover.

It really looks good. You'll love it even more once it gets some bees in it.

Moots · February 28, 2014, 01:07:47 PM

Quote from: D Coates on February 28, 2014, 11:01:51 AM
Looks good! Mine is very similar though it is only 5 deep frames. http://s196.photobucket.com/user/Drew454/library/Observation%20Hive?sort=3&page=1 From experience I would recommend a few things.

1. I only see one exit hole. I've got only a 2" hole and it becomes very congested in during flow. Because your hive is roughly 1/2 again larger than mine you'll have more congestion issues if your hole is the same size. You can't easily enlarge the hole because of the width of an OB hive, consider adding another one.

2. Weight. Mine comes off exactly like yours does. Add comfortable hand grips to the sides. It's very cumbersome as I take it outside and can weigh around 60 pounds right before winter. Yours will weigh more. Make a dolly of some form so you can immediately set it down, strap it and wheel it outside to work it. Give the dolly a wide stance as it will want to tip over.

3. Make sure your bottom board is wide to help with stability when it's open and your working them. I've had it almost blow over with slight breezes because the height catches wind like a sale. Huge pucker factor when you see it move and you're in the middle of something that you can't set down quickly.

4. Hinge your door. You'll get into the hive more than you might think especially at the start. Unscrewing the door is not much fun but use some nice hinges and hardware that can bear weight. There's a whole lot of torque and replacing bent hinges stinks.

5. Covers. Make them out of thin plywood so it looks professional and protects the glass when moving the hive. Use twist screen latches to hold your covers on. It make it very easy to remove/replace the cover.

It really looks good. You'll love it even more once it gets some bees in it.

**emphasis added

D,
Yours looks great...and you're right, I can't wait to get some bees in it! :-D

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and advice. One questions...You say yours is 5 Deeps, mine is 5 Mediums...I think that makes them basically the same size...doesn't it? Were you thinking my was 8 deeps, are am I missing something?

D Coates · February 28, 2014, 04:15:29 PM

Quote from: Moots on February 28, 2014, 01:07:47 PM
D,
Yours looks great...and you're right, I can't wait to get some bees in it! :-D

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and advice. One questions...You say yours is 5 Deeps, mine is 5 Mediums...I think that makes them basically the same size...doesn't it? Were you thinking my was 8 deeps, are am I missing something?

Well... that's a good point. I didn't do the math. I guess yours looks a whole lot bigger than mine (insert joke here). Indeed mine is 5 deep and the interior height is 48". If my math is right, yours should be around 53" 3/8's accounting for bee space. Mine gets congested at the entrance and exit during high activity times that they will beard at the outside entrance well into the evening and there's no more traffic trying to come out. It's not because they are hot, they are in air conditioning. If I was to do it again I'd put 2 exits.

BeeMaster2 · March 01, 2014, 07:11:33 AM

Moots,
I also see 8 medium frames, 4 with foundation and 4 with just empty frames. Is that correct?
Jim

Edgy · March 04, 2014, 10:34:40 PM

Moots, I was wondering if your OH will also have solid sides to keep the light out when your not viewing it? Does too much daylight bother the bees?

Moots · March 05, 2014, 12:05:53 AM

Quote from: Edgy on March 04, 2014, 10:34:40 PM
Moots, I was wondering if your OH will also have solid sides to keep the light out when your not viewing it? Does too much daylight bother the bees?

Edgy,
Yes, I made some inserts to fit where the glass is...It's my understanding that they don't like the light and it's best to keep it butttoned up when not actively watching them.

BeeMaster2 · March 05, 2014, 12:44:54 PM

Quote from: Moots on March 05, 2014, 12:05:53 AM
Quote from: Edgy on March 04, 2014, 10:34:40 PM
Moots, I was wondering if your OH will also have solid sides to keep the light out when your not viewing it? Does too much daylight bother the bees?

Edgy,
Yes, I made some inserts to fit where the glass is...It's my understanding that they don't like the light and it's best to keep it butttoned up when not actively watching them.

I was wondering the same thing. I keep mine buttoned up when we are not looking at it.
I did see a video of a college student talking about bees and in the background you can see a OH that is not covered and I suspect they never did.
I think the biggest problem is getting them settled in and once they are well situated they will stay.
My bees are in a closed in patio with large windows and if I didn't keep them covered they would have direct sunlight on the east side in the morning. That would cause problems.
Maybe some one here knows the full answer?
Jim

Moots · March 09, 2014, 08:01:30 PM

Quote from: Edgy on March 04, 2014, 10:34:40 PM
Moots, I was wondering if your OH will also have solid sides to keep the light out when your not viewing it? Does too much daylight bother the bees?

Edgy,
Along these lines, I stumbled across this research article with the following quote:
"Incidentally, I note that in the 30 years that I have managed observation hives, I have always kept them in
a lighted room, either from a window or artificial light from a bulb, always shielding them from direct
sunlight. I have never seen any evidence that exposure to light stops the hive from functioning normally.
It is true that bees are extremely phototropic, and that if you suddenly raise a window shade they will all,
in one collective movement, move towards the source of light. But, after a while, once the source is a
constant part of their environment, they will soon resume normal behavior."

Here's the link to the full article! The above quote is on page 11.

Wondering what's everyone's thoughts on this...

Moots · March 09, 2014, 08:32:33 PM

OK,
Managed to finish my OH and get it installed this past week. Just in a nick of time, caught a swarm later yesterday and decided to load them into the observation hive, which went well. I had a few concerns which I had started another thread on, but I'm glad to report that as of today the bees are coming and going and I think things are looking up, assuming they on't decide to abscond on me.
Other thread about swarm and OH conerns!

Anyway, I had snapped some photos after the install but hadn't had time to post them yet, so here they are....
I'm trying not to disturb my new tenants, but assuming they hang around for the next couple days, I'll get some more pics with the bees.

Swung into the room, full view mode.

View from other side with removable door...

Door side with window covers in place

Swung to storage position with glass covers in place

Carol · March 10, 2014, 04:26:28 PM

Looks great!! Now all you need is a recliner close by and a red light to see by. Forget the TV

Dimmsdale · March 10, 2014, 09:29:39 PM

Bravo Moots! Looks fantastic! X:X

CJ · March 11, 2014, 02:25:24 AM

Looks magic mate - cant wait to see it full of your bees!! :) Going to be a few hours spent next to it id imagine!!

Leather Jim · March 11, 2014, 08:31:08 AM

👍 That's craftsmanship!! Nice :)

sc-bee · March 11, 2014, 11:23:08 AM

Very nice moots. I can see me attempting that now...... not even a remote chance :-D

RC · March 11, 2014, 02:04:48 PM

Looks great, Moots. Dadant's in High Springs used to have one very similar, I spent a lot of time standing around watching it. That's probably why they took it down.

Moots · March 11, 2014, 07:11:58 PM

Thanks to everyone for the kind words...3 days + change and they're still here and seem to be settling in, drawing comb, and doing housekeeping....Keeping my fingers crossed! :-D

rjmeyer · March 11, 2014, 09:23:23 PM

SWEET Moots...Very Very SWEET..awesome job.

GSF · March 11, 2014, 10:12:54 PM

You have a right to be proud Moots.

hjon71 · March 11, 2014, 11:15:43 PM

I'm jealous :-D
Looks even better with bees in it.

CJ · March 12, 2014, 02:53:41 AM

Looks absolutely fantastic Moots!!! So jealous! A winter project FOR SURE! :) :) :)