Fall preparation for long hives

[Bob Wilson]

I have set up my long hives for the coming winter, by leaving and arranging each coloney with twelve (12) good frames in the following order.
1. I culled out any drone or old, black comb.
2. I made sure there was a good honey/pollen frame at the etrance.
3. I consolidated the brood nest next
4. I consolidated the best honey frames at the end.
This is the way that "Top Bar Beekeeping" by Les Crowder and Heather Harrell suggests.
Last year, every colony came through strong.

[BeeMaster2]

Thanks for posting this. Bee sure to let us know how it works out in the spring.
Do you ever talk to Bobsim. He uses only top bar hives in Jacksonville. He has not been on here since 2020 but if you want I can have him call you.
Jim Altmiller

[Bob Wilson]

That would be great, Jim. You have my cell #. It would be good to talk with him.
Not many people chat this section of the forum other than me.

[seanconnery]

Hello Bob!

Could you tell me why:
2. I made sure there was a good honey/pollen frame at the entrance.

I have 2 TBHives.
my thanks

[BeeMaster2]

That would be great, Jim. You have my cell #. It would be good to talk with him.
Not many people chat this section of the forum other than me.

I talked to Bob and he said that he was going to call you.
Jim Altmiller

[Bob Wilson]

Seanconnery,
I leave a pollen/honey frame as the first frame for several reasons.
1. I am a fourth year beek, and I am still doing some things because older and wiser heads (Les Crowder) said to.
2. The queen tends to place her broodnest by the entrance hole (at one of the short ends of the long hive), and that is where I want her nest, with honey reserves streching uninterrupted towards the back.
3. The bees always fill that first frame near the entrance with pollen and honey. Perhaps it acts as a temperature buffer before the brood frames which they add next. Perhaps they like a "storage pantry" by the front door for easy drop off. It seems they always have pollen/honey in front and behind the brood nest. If I dont leave it there, they will rearrange things to do it anyway.

So, how long have you been keeping TBHs?
I keep long langs, 4 foot long boxes, each holding 30 standard deep frames. However, they still are managed lik TBHs.
Do you have any fall advice for managing long hives, and how much honey are you able to pull each year?

[Michael Bush]

My guess is in your location it probably doesn't matter that much what you do or don't do.  In my location (hard winters0 it's important to have the bees clustered at one end with all the honey up against the cluster and any empties at the far end.  This is because the cluster moves slowly, doesn't think well and will tend to eat its way to the other end.  If the cluster is in the middle they tend to end up at one end with honey at the other end and starve with lots of honey in the hive.  In a warmer climate they would just move back to the other end on a warm day resolving the issue.

[seanconnery]

I prepared a response but am not sure it went through.
Please let me know either way.
Again, thank you for your very helpful replies.
regards
sean

[cao]

I have set up my long hives for the coming winter, by leaving and arranging each coloney with twelve (12) good frames in the following order.
1. I culled out any drone or old, black comb.
2. I made sure there was a good honey/pollen frame at the etrance.
3. I consolidated the brood nest next
4. I consolidated the best honey frames at the end.
This is the way that "Top Bar Beekeeping" by Les Crowder and Heather Harrell suggests.
Last year, every colony came through strong.

That is typically how I see the bees set up the long hives that I have.  Pollen first, followed by brood nest, then honey stores.  The only thing is that they will need some drone comb come spring.  Either leave some or prepare to insert empty frames early in spring for them to make some.

[seanconnery]

Thank you for both your responses! I really appreciate them.
I have 2 TBHives and one Warre.
I started with Warre 8 years ago because I was lazy and not aware- made a mess of that colony and for that I started a new Warre as forgiveness - they are doing really well.
I then built 2 TBHives and found this to be really educational, and enjoyable. I do not wear a bees suit most the time as they are gentle and so am I.
Pics aatached:
A. SketchUP of the design - bottom floor is hinged.
B. C. and D. Details
E. Bee shed with entry/exit into TBH on each side of Shed.
F.G. Plumbing pipe details - The bees must think that they are entering a log, like they used to for millions of years
H.Shed: no temperature swings, no wind, no rain. and...
I....inside there is classical music, and I can work all winter.
J.Morning sunshine at entry.

[seanconnery]

Second set of images.