When you start beekeeping, there are particular pieces of important tools. The majority of of these, you will have to buy, but with regards to the beehive itself, you can have an option. You could buy one (either ready assembled or as a flat pack for self assembly). But you also have the alternative of constructing your own beehive.
Evidently, this won’t be for everyone. You do ought to have a particular level of fundamental skills to be able to build a beehive. However you surely do not need to be a skilled carpenter – it is surprisingly simple to make your very own beehive when you have a good set of plans and follow some fundamental rules.
So, if you want to give it a go, listed right here are a number of ideas on the way to construct your very own beehive and help to ensure that it turns out as you hoped – well-built, nice-looking, and durable.
1. Choose the suitable beehive plans
When constructing a beehive, you would require detailed plans and instructions. You may simply get free plans on the internet, however they are normally extremely poor standard and difficult to comply with – particularly for a novice. Be sure that the plans you’re utilizing are comprehensive and simple to understand. The best plans include photos from every stage of the building process or, even better, video.
2. Fully learn the directions before you begin
It may be tough to resist the temptation to simply start, before you are properly prepared. Resist the temptation! Learn your plans from beginning to end previous to lifting any tools. This gives you an overall image of the entire job. With out this, you’ll be more likely to get confused and make mistakes.
3. Utilize untreated wood
When you are purchasing the wood for your own hive, be certain that it has not been treated in whichever way. Quite a lot of modern methods of pressure-treating wood make use of chemicals which can be toxic to honey bees, so stick to untreated supplies.
4. Don’t take shortcuts with the glue
In addition to nailing the parts together, remember to make use of glue. Apply this just before nailing. It’s easier to simply rely on the nails, but glue provides extra strength and the additional effort will pay of eventually.
5. Keep your beehive square
It isn’t essential that your boxes and frames are perfectly square, but they should be moderately square to allow the frames to fit correctly. Use a carpenter’s square to make certain they’re as true as possible.
6. Use paint or wood preservative
Hive bodies should be treated with wood preservative or paint. Apply a coat of fine quality latex base paint, followed by an exterior latex paint, or else just double coat with an exterior wood stain. Either is equally effective – which you utilize is down to personal preference. Do not paint or stain the inside of the supers.
In very warm places, painting the beehive white would help to stop it getting too warm in the summer. If you would keep lots of hives in one spot, it might be a helpful identification aid to the bees if every hive is a distinct shade, even though this is not important.
Constructing your very own beehive is truly not that difficult, is a great way to save money, and is extremely satisfying – so go build a beehive right this moment!
