Bee Box
YAAAAAAY! the bee boxes arrived.
I still need my bees, they’re well on their way. in the meanwhile, I’m getting prepared for beekeeping, and I’ll share the process with you.
I purchased my boxes from Brushy Mountain Bee Farm. Bought the beginner’s kit.
1. Paint boxes (bees involve important temperature regulation, because you don’t want them to fry in the summer or to freeze in the winter. And you want them to be able to see the box; bee sight is fascinating, btw. Plus, it’s important to protect the wood from the wear and tear of weather. Keep it traditional, and cool for the bees: paint your boxes white.
2. Insert foundation into frames. Having a foundation of cells helps the bees build their comb out, and will make the whole thing easier.
I did this in my office. These are wax foundations, with wire embedded (for strength and structure). Instead of having to wire them in (see holes on side of frame), instead these pop into the grooves that the frame is cut with.
The foundation smells delicious, like concentrated honey. It certainly whet my appetite for beekeeping!
3. Insert frames into boxes; these are 2 boxes, each with 8 frames.Did you notice what’s wrong with the picture above? Make sure you insert your frames into the correct side of the box. Somehow they didn’t mention this step in the “Beekeeping for Dummies” book. Oops!
4. Mount boxes such that they won’t be buried in the snow, won’t topple over, and won’t blow away. Citing considerations are important, and these bees are up on a roof. Shade is good, so there’s a wall from a heating system that these are up against. Still, the bees are away from the public, clear of any major vent or intake fans, and have a clear flight line into and out of the box.
Some additional pics will follow of the rooftop where these bees are housed.
Next up: bee installation! (today I am learning about it through helping out DCHoneybees install a few).
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