replacing old equipment

 

 

I prepared new deep boxes to replace boxes in use since 2007.  To assist bees in finding their hive, I added a unique painted pattern to the front of the box using an adhesive stencil.    Jürgen Tautz discussed hive marking in The Buzz about Bees - unique pattern are a better bee orientation aid than a unique color.

To enhance the propolis envelope, I made parallel 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) wide shallow grooves seen in the photo.  Last year, I showed that shallow grooves in medium box walls improved the propolis envelope.  This year, I made similar grooves with these deep boxes.  On old 2007 boxes, propolis was concentrated on frame rests, other right angle corners and box abutments - only a thin layer of propolis was found on its smooth box walls.

hive marking - unique patterns (not colors)

In The Buzz about Bees, Jürgen Tautz describes how pattern (not color) is useful in assisting bees find their hive address. Inexpensive pre-painted patterns were purchased from a Michaels craft shop, sprayed with clear Krylon and attached to the hive body using Titebond water-resistant glue.