In the past few years I've canged most of how I keep bees. Most of it was to make it less work. I'm now keeping about fifty hives with about the same work I used to put into four. So I'll post a topic for each of the things I've changed and, if anyone wants, we'll discuss it.
I've gone to only top entrances. No bottom entrance. I know there are all kinds of people who either hate them or thing they cure cancer, or double your honey crop. I like them and here's why:
1) I never have to worry about the bees not having access to the hive because the grass grew too tall. I also don't have to cut the grass in front of the hives. Less work for me.
2) I never have to worry about the bees not having access because of the snow being too deep (unless it gets over the tops of the hives). So I don't have to shovel snow after a snow storm to open the entrances up.
3) I never have to worry about putting mouse guards on or mice getting into the hive.
4) I never have to worry about skunks or opposums eating the bees.
5) Combined with a SBB I have very good ventilation in the summer.
6) I can save money buying (or making) simple migratory style covers. Most of mine are just a piece of 3/4" plywood with shingle shims for spacers. But some are wider notches in inner covers that I already had.
7) In the winter I don't have to worry about dead bees clogging the bottom entrance.
8) I can put the hive eight inches lower (because I don't have to worry about mice and skunks) and that makes it easier to put that top super on and get it off when it's full.
9) This works nicely for long top bar hives when I put supers on because the bees have to go in the super to get in.
10) With some styrofoam on the top, there's not much condensation with a top entance in the winter.
Anyone have anything else to add for advantages? Or anything you disagree with? Anyone else come to the same conclusions? Opposite conclusions?
I'll post more as I get time. See my web site if you want to see some simple top entrances by propping up migratory covers.
I've gone to only top entrances. No bottom entrance. I know there are all kinds of people who either hate them or thing they cure cancer, or double your honey crop. I like them and here's why:
1) I never have to worry about the bees not having access to the hive because the grass grew too tall. I also don't have to cut the grass in front of the hives. Less work for me.
2) I never have to worry about the bees not having access because of the snow being too deep (unless it gets over the tops of the hives). So I don't have to shovel snow after a snow storm to open the entrances up.
3) I never have to worry about putting mouse guards on or mice getting into the hive.
4) I never have to worry about skunks or opposums eating the bees.
5) Combined with a SBB I have very good ventilation in the summer.
6) I can save money buying (or making) simple migratory style covers. Most of mine are just a piece of 3/4" plywood with shingle shims for spacers. But some are wider notches in inner covers that I already had.
7) In the winter I don't have to worry about dead bees clogging the bottom entrance.
8) I can put the hive eight inches lower (because I don't have to worry about mice and skunks) and that makes it easier to put that top super on and get it off when it's full.
9) This works nicely for long top bar hives when I put supers on because the bees have to go in the super to get in.
10) With some styrofoam on the top, there's not much condensation with a top entance in the winter.
Anyone have anything else to add for advantages? Or anything you disagree with? Anyone else come to the same conclusions? Opposite conclusions?
I'll post more as I get time. See my web site if you want to see some simple top entrances by propping up migratory covers.