[mharrell11]

Just received my Apiary Registration from the state of Florida. Not sure if other states are the same, but was curious to know how other Florida hive onwers are marking their hives. According to the registration requirements, the registration number has to be "burned on" or "permanently imprinted" with the letters at least 1/2 inch high.

Any suggestions on the best way to do this with an active hive?

 

[gone2seed]

I use a garden marker.These are made to stand up to our sunshine.These are not sharpies or Magic Markers.Those fade quickly.
I look forward to seeing what others are using.If I were filthy rich I would have a branding iron.

 

[CessnaGirl]

You can just use a sharpie marker if you want to and it will last if you spray it with outdoor clear coat. A guy in our been club makes aluminum stencils with the FLO number and then spray paint. I used the stencil and a sharpie on the hives already in use. A little labor intensive but looks nice. My inspector didn't care hows the number was on as long as it was on. Even pencil.

 

[johng]

I ordered a branding Iron from these guys. http://www.branding-irons.biz/

I got one with 1/2in numbers and use my turkey fryer to heat it up. Once you get it hot you can brand a bunch of equipment is short order.

 

[smoore]

Any suggestions on the best way to do this with an active hive?

Mark an unused box then transfer the frames over to the newly marked box. Mark the now vacant one and on the next inspection transfer them back.

I have used a plastic stencil with the same paint pen used to mark a queen. Made me feel good that the color got used more than a handful of time for dots too. I also had a friend build a brand that didn't work out so well the letters kept falling off and it had to be fixed almost every time it got used. I have a professionally made brand now.

Inspector never seemed to care or even note if I have numbers or not. Can't even recall him walking around and looking at the front of the hives to see if they were marked or not. The way I have everything set up he would have had to make an effort since you approach from the back.

 

[Santa Caras]

Does each and every box have to be marked or is it the bottom brood box only?????

 

[mharrell11]

My inspector told me that I really only need it on one box and not even on all hives. But that's not what the letter from the state says. My guess is the inspectors only care about one box being marked.

 

[johng]

I marked all my boxes and most of my frames. It's more for identification purposes than anything.

Smoore you can brand or mark an active hive no problem. Use your smoker and veil if you feel like you need it. When I got my branding iron I branded all my active hives without any protection the bees did not seem to mind. Now I brand new equipment when I'm putting it together and do frames after extraction.