Building your Top Bar Hive - Learning Beekeeping

[iamRapscallion]

Just came across this video so I haven't looked to see if there's a follow up on it, but how well are you finding that linseed oil/wax has preserved the wood? Do you close up that bottom in the fall/winter? I started out with screened bottoms on my TBHs, but ripped them out the 1st year. I've heard that the entire length being screen is too much ventilation and makes regulating hive temp difficult, any thoughts? Are your bees regressed/drawing small cell? Good work! (:

[OutOfaBlueSky]

@iamRapscallion Linseed did preserve it. But I'd just paint them next time. What I did fine that was useful was that you should use nails, only use screws. The wood warps and forms cracks they bees get thru. Screws would have prevented that. My screens are just fine, so far.

[1969626]

I read that you can put olive oil inside the hive to help preserve it

[ssmel1963]

для чего эти гробы я так и не понял

[OutOfaBlueSky]

@ssmel1963 Это не гробы, но ульи.Особый вид улей предназначен для Африки, называется "Топ Hives Бар"

[MrCmarston]

Should you avoid treated wood? It has chemicals in it...

[zyxwvutsrqponml1234]

@rockyPants4000 i have found with my hives ( two ttbh and 2 ktbh ) that it doesn't seem to make any difference between them, they tend to build more brace comb on the honey than they do on the brood. plus once i cut the braces off the brood comb they seldom make any more whereas with the honey they will re-brace it over and over .

[xrnts]

great video thank you. i am trying to info gather b4 i try 2 keep bees. you are the first person who has said that bees prefer old wood.

i have a large piece of wood that smells a bit musty so is no good for the house. do you think the musty smell would put the bees off?

[iLEZtube]

Really good and informative! Thanks!

[Balancefh]

Thanks for the video! What are the outer dimensions of the hives? ...especially the perimeter of the trapazoid shape at the end of the box...

[musketman2008]

How do you prevent the bees from attaching the combs to the sides and bottoms? You don't want the combs to rip out of the frame when you pry it out.

[OutOfaBlueSky]

@musketman2008 That is the whole beauty of the TBH. By bees nature they don't want to build on slopes, so they don't attach to the slopped TBH walls. If they ever do build a bridge comb, you cut it off with your breadknife.

[sunnykintyre]

Thankyou so much, beekeeping has always been for the better off and this film of yours makes it available to all, what kind of roof would i need here in Scotland ? an an you tell me why straight sides are not used. thanks again and please keep the beekeeping videos coming.

[OutOfaBlueSky]

@sunnykintyre Scotland? The roof should be 1/2" wood to aid winter insulation and provide mass to prevent it blowing off. A brick on top will also help. That's a suggestion, some local beekeeper who keeps TBHs should be consulted.

As for the sloped sides, it reduces the number of bridge combs bees will build to the sides. Makes life better for the beek.

[thirteenfingers]

@sunnykintyre If you've not already found it or started keeping bees already... go and join the forum at the biobees website.

There's a TON of information on there and I'm pretty sure there are a few top bar beekeepers up in Scotland using that board.

[bdrowe]

If you're starting hives from scratch and are weather proofing with oil & bees wax, you might want to try to dip the wood in the wood like making bagels. Painting does not penitrate the wood as much, and will require fresh application each year. Also for a straigt line you can cut a 'free' wood paint stir in half, dip it in bees wax, and stick it to the top bar with hot wax. Its called a starter strip, see Michael Bush's site or talk to Billy Bob in PA.

[OutOfaBlueSky]

I would never recommend Bush's weather proofing to beginners. Bush heated a vat of wax and resin and dipped much woodenware in it. He had to custom make the vat, which is not exactly simple and not worth just a few hives. Further, if you research more, others have tried and one caught the mix on fire and burned up some of his woodenware.

As for dipping the starter sticks, not good, it is subpar for a guide. Watch my other vid on making bars using string and soidering iron.

[bdrowe]

True heating wax should be done with care. A 55 gal drum with a heating blanket around it might be good enough if you pre melt the wax in a pot.

As for starers I find the best starter is some burr comb attached to the top bar.

Billy Bob PA president has some good vids . But also dont take this as 'I'm in favor of ktb hives.'

How do you extract your frames?

[NineBitByte]

Nice - I'm going to try it. Thank you for the video.

[OutOfaBlueSky]

These KTB Hives are ideal for low cost, simple beekeeping. The con is they are not as flexible if you are managing dozens of hives.

[BillyAteMySoul]

Thanks for this video! I'm interested in maybe keeping a hive, and top bars look easier for someone who just wants to make a nice lil home for some bees and isn't a serious, spend-tons-of-money bee keeper. I love your laid back attitude about it!

[kuragxo]

Thanks for the video!

[OutOfaBlueSky]

thanks, thanks. Be sure to watch Conrad Berube's videos too. His are great.