We also just received the Barefoot Beekeeper bible on top bar hive beekeeping where introduction of a new colony is explained in great detail. I just hope I can make the little guys & gals happy enough to stay in my home made hive! I guess we'll find out...
I am planning to build another top bar hive this summer, from planed hemlock instead of an old bookcase I found along side the road - boards that are actually straight and easy to work with! Now I know a couple things that are not quite explained in the building plans I should be able to make the 48" version, which can be used for artificial swarming. The landing strip I made for this one is highly decorative, but very unnecessary and might even help mice to get in so will be removed shortly. Item 1 of my learning curve :-)
Nice looking hive! What method did you use to affix the aluminum to the roof?
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Matt
Very similar technique as for traditional bee hives I found, just fold it over and nail with small headed nails. The aluminum sheeting is rigid and once bend stays that way. I used metal sheers to cut to size and to cut out the corner shape to create a good overlapping edge (like stretching canvas over a wood frame).
ReplyDeleteOn a different note, I just put Swarm Catch lure in today and are very curious to see how that works out :-)