Post by Ismail AbdulAzeez on Jun 10, 2017 21:23:19 GMT 1
Beehives are hollow containers that can be closed and are purposely made to house bees.
Queen Excluder
A queen excluder is a zinc or plastic sheet with openings of a certain width, which allows the worker bees to pass, but not the queen. This enables you to obtain honeycomb with little pollen in it, but absolutely no brood (because the queen cannot lay eggs in them).
Foundation Sheet
The foundation sheet consists of a sheet of beeswax (2-3mm thick) into which a cell pattern has been pressed. The bees build up the cell wall on this pattern. The use of foundation sheets promotes the construction of a regular comb; provided they are made of pure beeswax and the right ceil size is pressed.
Foundation sheets can be ordered from beekeeping cooperatives or from the Department of Apiculture, of the Ministry of Agriculture or Forestry. Foundation sheets are commonly used in frame and hive beekeeping, but are not compulsory.
Smoker
Smoke is a means of driving the bees away. The bees go to the honey and fill themselves, which makes them less defensive. If you need to inspect a lot of colonies, it is advisable always to use a smoker. Cow dung, maize cobs, coconut fibers, rags or cardboard can be used as smoker fuel.
Cover Sheet
To prevent too many bees from leaving the hive when you are inspecting the combs and to partly protect the colony from robber bees, you should place a wet cotton cloth over the opened hive. Some beekeeper finds it easier to use two cloths so that the frames on either side of the frame, which is being removed, remain covered. You can also use several pieces of hard board.
Bee Hat
A bee hat serves to protect the head and neck from bee strings. The hat is made of very thick cotton into which sewn a window (25*25000) of fine black mesh or black fly screening. To ensure good ventilation use as much gauze in the hat as possible.
The veil of the bee hat falls unto the shoulders and is tucked into the shirts or overalls. You should use black mesh or gauze for the window, as it is very difficult to see well through light colored gauze.
Overalls
It is best to wear white overalls with a zip fastener. If you are working with defensive bees, the sleeves and the trouser legs must be tied around the wrists and ankles with elastic, rope or sticking tape. Wear high shoes or boots.
Gloves
An extension piece 20cm long with elastic in the ends is sewn onto the ends of the gloves. The gloves should always be regularly cleaned with a brush and water as then smell of the strings in the gloves will stimulate aggressive behavior in the bees.
Note: the use of a bee hat, overall, high shoes and gloves are essential when working with some African bees.
Bee Brush
To sweep the bees from the combs, you can use a small, oblong brush, a strong feather or the whole wing of a bird.
Hive Tool
This is use to loosen the cover, the honey super(s) and the top bars which have been glued together by the bees. A piece of hard metal crowbar like bent at one end and sharp at the other end will do. You can also use a screwdriver.
Queen Excluder
A queen excluder is a zinc or plastic sheet with openings of a certain width, which allows the worker bees to pass, but not the queen. This enables you to obtain honeycomb with little pollen in it, but absolutely no brood (because the queen cannot lay eggs in them).
Foundation Sheet
The foundation sheet consists of a sheet of beeswax (2-3mm thick) into which a cell pattern has been pressed. The bees build up the cell wall on this pattern. The use of foundation sheets promotes the construction of a regular comb; provided they are made of pure beeswax and the right ceil size is pressed.
Foundation sheets can be ordered from beekeeping cooperatives or from the Department of Apiculture, of the Ministry of Agriculture or Forestry. Foundation sheets are commonly used in frame and hive beekeeping, but are not compulsory.
Smoker
Smoke is a means of driving the bees away. The bees go to the honey and fill themselves, which makes them less defensive. If you need to inspect a lot of colonies, it is advisable always to use a smoker. Cow dung, maize cobs, coconut fibers, rags or cardboard can be used as smoker fuel.
Cover Sheet
To prevent too many bees from leaving the hive when you are inspecting the combs and to partly protect the colony from robber bees, you should place a wet cotton cloth over the opened hive. Some beekeeper finds it easier to use two cloths so that the frames on either side of the frame, which is being removed, remain covered. You can also use several pieces of hard board.
Bee Hat
A bee hat serves to protect the head and neck from bee strings. The hat is made of very thick cotton into which sewn a window (25*25000) of fine black mesh or black fly screening. To ensure good ventilation use as much gauze in the hat as possible.
The veil of the bee hat falls unto the shoulders and is tucked into the shirts or overalls. You should use black mesh or gauze for the window, as it is very difficult to see well through light colored gauze.
Overalls
It is best to wear white overalls with a zip fastener. If you are working with defensive bees, the sleeves and the trouser legs must be tied around the wrists and ankles with elastic, rope or sticking tape. Wear high shoes or boots.
Gloves
An extension piece 20cm long with elastic in the ends is sewn onto the ends of the gloves. The gloves should always be regularly cleaned with a brush and water as then smell of the strings in the gloves will stimulate aggressive behavior in the bees.
Note: the use of a bee hat, overall, high shoes and gloves are essential when working with some African bees.
Bee Brush
To sweep the bees from the combs, you can use a small, oblong brush, a strong feather or the whole wing of a bird.
Hive Tool
This is use to loosen the cover, the honey super(s) and the top bars which have been glued together by the bees. A piece of hard metal crowbar like bent at one end and sharp at the other end will do. You can also use a screwdriver.