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flat skunk
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 Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 9:18 pm Post subject: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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Hello from a individual who has been fascinated by bees since I was in
my teens and worked for a farmer who had a few hives. That was 40
years ago and I guess when quite a few things fascinate me it takes
time to get around to them sometimes lol.
To the pont, is there a top bar keeper who is in SK that I can
communicate with, or any other TBH keeper?? Tho as am in the far
northern zone (comparitively speaking lol) maybe similarly affected
TBH keepers would have some particular thoughts, that being said I am
sure much is universally applicable.
cheers |
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JB
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| Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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Don't know any TBH beekeepers in your area but I would suggest googling "top
bar hives". There's a fellow in North Carolina that's doing a blog in his
TBH experiences and he also has links to a lot of other TBH resources. I
think his site is www.topbarhives or something like that. Another good site
is bushfarms. I'm sorry I don't have either of these web addresses on the
computer I'm currently using or I could give you both addresses.
Good luck.
"flat skunk" <ooptec@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1179595093.549486.239310@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
Hello from a individual who has been fascinated by bees since I was in
my teens and worked for a farmer who had a few hives. That was 40
years ago and I guess when quite a few things fascinate me it takes
time to get around to them sometimes lol.
To the pont, is there a top bar keeper who is in SK that I can
communicate with, or any other TBH keeper?? Tho as am in the far
northern zone (comparitively speaking lol) maybe similarly affected
TBH keepers would have some particular thoughts, that being said I am
sure much is universally applicable.
cheers
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GP
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| Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 12:11 am Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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Ottawa, Ontario here. Spent two summers of very part-time beekeeping 12
years ago, and just getting back into it. I am building a TBH. Started off
simple, and then googled too much, and now cannot decide how to proceed.
:-)
It began as a slope-sided box with a bunch of top bars and a bottom
entrance. Done! Then I read about varroa-screens. SO... I am adding a
varroa screen, but get lost from there. One camp seems to endorse
open-mesh-floors with insulated top. How open is open? The wind in the
winter would blow right up inside there as the hive bottom is going to be
about half a meter off the ground. The other camp seems to prefer
closed-off bottom/collection tray beneath the varroa screen, and then
ventilate the top.
Convection-current v.s. chimney.
I want to get the moisture out, and avoid over-heating in the summer, but in
the winter I want to avoid condensation and draughts. Unfortunately, I seem
to be throwing out the main initial appeal of the TBH that led me to build
one in the first place - the simplicity of its design. That said, I want to
make the best home for the bees that I can.
<braces_myself>
Any opinions out there?
</braces_myself>
Cheers,
GP
"flat skunk" <ooptec@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1179595093.549486.239310@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
Hello from a individual who has been fascinated by bees since I was in
my teens and worked for a farmer who had a few hives. That was 40
years ago and I guess when quite a few things fascinate me it takes
time to get around to them sometimes lol.
To the pont, is there a top bar keeper who is in SK that I can
communicate with, or any other TBH keeper?? Tho as am in the far
northern zone (comparitively speaking lol) maybe similarly affected
TBH keepers would have some particular thoughts, that being said I am
sure much is universally applicable.
cheers
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Ann
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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"JB" <jrbno@spamnoipa.net> expounded:
| Quote: |
Don't know any TBH beekeepers in your area but I would suggest googling "top
bar hives". There's a fellow in North Carolina that's doing a blog in his
TBH experiences and he also has links to a lot of other TBH resources. I
think his site is www.topbarhives or something like that. Another good site
is bushfarms. I'm sorry I don't have either of these web addresses on the
computer I'm currently using or I could give you both addresses.
|
Michael Bush's website: http://www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm
Top Bar Hives in NC: http://topbarbees.wordpress.com/
--
Ann
e-mail address is not checked |
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AL
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ram
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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On May 19, 1:18 pm, flat skunk <oop...@gmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
Hello from a individual who has been fascinated by bees since I was in
my teens and worked for a farmer who had a few hives. That was 40
years ago and I guess when quite a few things fascinate me it takes
time to get around to them sometimes lol.
To the pont, is there a top bar keeper who is in SK that I can
communicate with, or any other TBH keeper?? Tho as am in the far
northern zone (comparitively speaking lol) maybe similarly affected
TBH keepers would have some particular thoughts, that being said I am
sure much is universally applicable.
cheers
|
Hopefully its not a silly question, but what exactly is a top bar
hive, and how does it differ from the hive hives, with box's and 10
removable frames, etc? |
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GP
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:39 am Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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"ram" <ram_palbert@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1179857627.819617.6810@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
On May 19, 1:18 pm, flat skunk <oop...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello from a individual who has been fascinated by bees since I was in
my teens and worked for a farmer who had a few hives. That was 40
years ago and I guess when quite a few things fascinate me it takes
time to get around to them sometimes lol.
To the pont, is there a top bar keeper who is in SK that I can
communicate with, or any other TBH keeper?? Tho as am in the far
northern zone (comparitively speaking lol) maybe similarly affected
TBH keepers would have some particular thoughts, that being said I am
sure much is universally applicable.
cheers
Hopefully its not a silly question, but what exactly is a top bar
hive, and how does it differ from the hive hives, with box's and 10
removable frames, etc?
|
http://outdoorplace.org/beekeeping/kenya.htm |
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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On May 22, 6:37 am, Ann <ann...@newsguy.com> wrote:
The topbarbees blog is mine. Its always nice to hear from other
people interested in bees and top-bar hives. In addition to Michael
Bush's site, I would also really highly recommend Dennis Murrell's
site. He also has lots of information and links to other top-bar
sites. In addition, he is located in Wyoming. Its not as far north
as Canada, but he has some insight about keeping bees in a climate
that is not always friendly. I also have other links I have found
useful on my blog.
Kawayanan
http://topbarbees.wordpress.com |
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GP
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 1:46 am Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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So any opinions on ventilation? Top vents or open-mesh floor?
GP
<kawayanan@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1179930621.391314.142920@q75g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
On May 22, 6:37 am, Ann <ann...@newsguy.com> wrote:
Michael Bush's website: http://www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm
Top Bar Hives in NC: http://topbarbees.wordpress.com/
--
Ann
The topbarbees blog is mine. Its always nice to hear from other
people interested in bees and top-bar hives. In addition to Michael
Bush's site, I would also really highly recommend Dennis Murrell's
site. He also has lots of information and links to other top-bar
sites. In addition, he is located in Wyoming. Its not as far north
as Canada, but he has some insight about keeping bees in a climate
that is not always friendly. I also have other links I have found
useful on my blog.
Kawayanan
http://topbarbees.wordpress.com
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flat skunk
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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On May 23, 3:46 pm, "GP" <g...@TAKEthisOUTgridly.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
So any opinions on ventilation? Top vents or open-mesh floor?
GP
|
Yea, there's a good one lol. The curse of reading too much.
I bought alum. window screen and was just about to cut out a large
portion of bottom to install, but upon reflection the most info. comes
from very much milder and hot in summer locales than SK. So this A.M.
I have decided to forego installing screen. I can always modify if
necess. in try 2 but a hole is a hole forever lol.
I was thinking of placing hive in all day shade orienting the two
entrance holes towards one end to the east, and as well the cover is 1
X 4 frame, w/1/4in. ply overlapping to keep some of the rain out w/2
in. rigid styro. inside. I then plan to clear coat the outside and
when still wet lay heavy duty tinfoil on top folded under up to 1 X 4
frame and one more coat of clear over all. The thought being if is
excessively hot can just lift and shim up top to provide some air
flow.
Winter I will try out making a rigid styro 'box' for the whole thing
to be placed into w/one hole open.
Decisions, decisions lol
peter |
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GP
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| Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 6:21 am Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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I was also almost sold on an open-mesh-floor. I'm not sure it would winter
well with my TBH design - the wind would blow throught the entire hive if it
blew right. So I am leaving a solid bottom, and putting a varroa screen
inside with a side cleanout access. I think I will also notch my top-bars
and lay a screen over them with an insulated but well ventilated roof.
It seems like bees can handle the cold, but not dripping condensation, mold,
fungi, and heat-collapsed comb. Heat rises - I think I will let it and the
moisture out, and see if the bees teach me otherwise. They should block the
holes if they don't want them, then I will know better for my Mark-II. ;-)
I am working on my roof and side access, and also a simple web-page of my
TBH - should be ready in a week or so. Might even have bees by then.
Cheers
GP
"flat skunk" <ooptec@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1180097928.348751.20570@u30g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
On May 23, 3:46 pm, "GP" <g...@TAKEthisOUTgridly.com> wrote:
So any opinions on ventilation? Top vents or open-mesh floor?
GP
Yea, there's a good one lol. The curse of reading too much.
I bought alum. window screen and was just about to cut out a large
portion of bottom to install, but upon reflection the most info. comes
from very much milder and hot in summer locales than SK. So this A.M.
I have decided to forego installing screen. I can always modify if
necess. in try 2 but a hole is a hole forever lol.
I was thinking of placing hive in all day shade orienting the two
entrance holes towards one end to the east, and as well the cover is 1
X 4 frame, w/1/4in. ply overlapping to keep some of the rain out w/2
in. rigid styro. inside. I then plan to clear coat the outside and
when still wet lay heavy duty tinfoil on top folded under up to 1 X 4
frame and one more coat of clear over all. The thought being if is
excessively hot can just lift and shim up top to provide some air
flow.
Winter I will try out making a rigid styro 'box' for the whole thing
to be placed into w/one hole open.
Decisions, decisions lol
peter
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flat skunk
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| Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 12:25 am Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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On May 25, 8:21 pm, "GP" <g...@TAKEthisOUTgridly.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
I am working on my roof and side access, and also a simple web-page of my
TBH - should be ready in a week or so. Might even have bees by then.
|
Hey what a good idea, here is my TBH web page
<http://ooptectbh.googlepages.com/home>
Thnx for the idea GP
peter |
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GP
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| Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 4:22 am Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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Hah! Cool. I like the hive - looks like it will work admirably. I share
your philosophy. I hope to write a book in 10 years (assuming I am
succesful) called "Organic Beekeeping for the Cheap and Lazy". Well, not
really but it makes the point. ;-)
Small world - I was licensed for class 7.2.2 for a few years.
I have bookmarked your site, will track your progress, and when kids and
work allow, I will update mine on http://www.gridly.com/bees/
Cheers
GP
"flat skunk" <ooptec@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1180211130.090380.100070@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
On May 25, 8:21 pm, "GP" <g...@TAKEthisOUTgridly.com> wrote:
I am working on my roof and side access, and also a simple web-page of my
TBH - should be ready in a week or so. Might even have bees by then.
Hey what a good idea, here is my TBH web page
http://ooptectbh.googlepages.com/home
Thnx for the idea GP
peter
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flat skunk
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| Posted: Sun May 27, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Top Bar Hives, SK, Canada |
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On May 26, 6:22 pm, "GP" <gpT...@thisOUTgridly.com> wrote:
I hope to write a book called "Organic Beekeeping for the Cheap and
Lazy". Well, not
| Quote: |
really but it makes the point. ;-)
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GP
Ditto for your site. Good luck/wishes to us both.
I find being cheap AND lazy admirable traits. Keeping the 'footprint'
small in comparison to many of my consumer driven 9-5 job-cursed
peers.
Stupid, close minded or never inspired are the ones I hate.
I always keep in mind 'Life is as hard as you make it'.
Bees are one step in a self sufficient farm-gate sales retirement
which will only include 'my interests'
That is if you can tell the difference between me now and retired
lol
cheers
peter |
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