New Bees

[.30WCF]

I?ve been leaving them alone to let the new queens, if there are any, get established. I?ll take a look next week to see what?s up.
In the mean time, I have some leftover plywood off the job site. Poor mans Dado cut with a circular saw for the frame rests.






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[.30WCF]

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[beesnweeds]

Nice Job !!!  Reflective bubble wrap or grain bags make a good sealing inner cover.  I overwinter 5 over 5, they're great to help keep your apiary sustainable.

[.30WCF]

Nice Job !!!  Reflective bubble wrap or grain bags make a good sealing inner cover.  I overwinter 5 over 5, they're great to help keep your apiary sustainable.

I?ve seen similar things used when a wooden inner cover and migratory cover are not used. What I don?t know is why. It?s not creating elevation like a wooden inner cover does on a regular body, and the bees will glue it down just the same as they will the lid. So, why?


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[FloridaGardener]

In Florida, that plywood nuc box will be full of mildew, and the plywood buckling off the side in about 3 months. 
Yes, even with exterior paint, and bees inside.  It has to be pine with a screened bottom. Your climate must be much drier in NC.

It's a very nice work box for pulling frames of honey or brood, or an excellent bee-happy frame rest during inspections.  And a nice job with the carpentry.

[.30WCF]

In Florida, that plywood nuc box will be full of mildew, and the plywood buckling off the side in about 3 months. 
Yes, even with exterior paint, and bees inside.  It has to be pine with a screened bottom. Your climate must be much drier in NC.

It's a very nice work box for pulling frames of honey or brood, or an excellent bee-happy frame rest during inspections.  And a nice job with the carpentry.

Haha. It?s about 180% humidity for 87.662% of the year here. I?ve seen plywood boxes used here, but can?t speak to longevity. I don?t know the answer.
I?ve seen them around and am acquiring a fair amount of 3/4? ply.

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[FloridaGardener]

Not sure where you are, but seems like plywood is used as mating nucs for 2 months in spring, and then is a take-away box. 

I've seen some nucs 20 years old and still working when they are corner jointed.
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The pine plank ones don't last as long - they tend to warp a bit.  But def. better than ply.
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I'm no decades-long beekeeper.  But I have worked bees with some, and I sure appreciate when they have good quality gear.

[.30WCF]

I?ll give them a try and see how they hold up. Built two more this evening. It was dumpster fodder when I got it and it will be when it leaves here too.
I do appreciate the input and will look for signs of failure. I don?t have another used for a lot of 3/4? plywood at the moment.  We are using 50inches of a 96inch sheet of plywood for concrete forms. The 48x46 cut off is trash. 11 sheets worth.


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[.30WCF]

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[cao]

The 48x46 cut off is trash. 11 sheets worth.

trash?  that's gold to me.   I use scrap wood whenever I get the chance.  Granted, they won't last forever but they serve their purpose.  I think you did a good job.

[.30WCF]

The 48x46 cut off is trash. 11 sheets worth.

trash?  that's gold to me.   I use scrap wood whenever I get the chance.  Granted, they won't last forever but they serve their purpose.  I think you did a good job.

Thanks. 
I?m  gonna do some medium nucs next I think unless someone has a good idea for it.


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[Ben Framed]

Mr 30. I like your enthusiasm. Keep it up!  I have a question. I have not heard of medium nucs. What are the benefits of medium nucs?

[.30WCF]

So, I?m just talking out of my head right now with no real information, but some people only use medium brood and honey supers. I?m thinking of trying that on the next hive I start.
I have four deep single broods going now, but a medium super might give me more options on having all the same gear and more spots to pull a frame from if I have two or three mediums stacked on a deep with no queen excluder.


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[CoolBees]

... I have a question. I have not heard of medium nucs. What are the benefits of medium nucs?

I use Medium Nucs. I cut all my deep Nucs down to mediums when I switched away from deep frames. ... Medium Nucs are required - otherwise I can't move a growing hive over to medium brood boxes when they grow big enough.

[.30WCF]

I cut all my pieces for 6 medium nucs a while ago.




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[FloridaGardener]

How many bees are you planning for...?

[.30WCF]

How many bees are you planning for...?

I thought you were buying some from me.


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[Ben Framed]

Since you are using medium boxes medium nucs make perfect sense. All frames are interchangeable.

[Bob Wilson]

30WCF.
Love the green bottle of titebond in the photo. I've got one just like it.

[Ben Framed]

30WCF.
Love the green bottle of titebond in the photo. I've got one just like it.

I do too Bob, I refill it with a gallon supply bottle when needed.