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Author Topic: Top entrance  (Read 2392 times)

Offline Joelel

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Top entrance
« on: October 06, 2009, 04:08:46 pm »
I think putting in a top entrance on top of the brood boxes would be good. The bees would not have to go threw the brood and it would stop alot of crowding,what do you think ? Would it be good to have two entrances,one on the bottom and one on the brood boxes top,then add the suppers as needed ? What is the best way to build or buy a top entrance ?
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Acts2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Top entrance
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2009, 10:36:17 pm »
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Offline contactme_11

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Re: Top entrance
« Reply #2 on: October 07, 2009, 11:34:55 am »
Here's some ideas for top entrances:
Migratory top (see MB's post above)

All season inner cover, buy or make one http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/store/season-inner-cover-p-50.html

Make a 3/8" x 3/4" notch in the rim on the bottom of your inner cover http://media.photobucket.com/image/notched%20inner%20cover/frenchhill/WinteringSingles-AboveInnerCover.jpg

Drill a 3/4" hole near the top your box (then you can use a wine bottle cork to block it later)

Shim your top cover

And as far as leaving a bottom entrance open or using a screen bottom board, well that's up to you.
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Offline Joelel

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Re: Top entrance
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am »
Does anyone have bottom and top entrance in their hives ? I been told the bees will only guard one entrance. Having two entrances,will that be an invite to robbers and all other pests ? Would it be better to just have one top entrance ? With top entrances,do you put landing boards on ?
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Acts2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation

Offline contactme_11

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Re: Top entrance
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2009, 03:55:47 pm »
Quote from: Joelel on October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am
Does anyone have bottom and top entrance in their hives ?
I do. I use a medium entrance reducer on the bottom and a 3/4" hole on the top.
Quote from: Joelel on October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am
I been told the bees will only guard one entrance. Having two entrances,will that be an invite to robbers and all other pests ?
Bees will guard as many entrances as you have. I have one hive that has an entrance reducer that I made with two 3/4"x 3/8" openings (1 on each side), a crack in one of the boxes the bees come and go from, and a 3/4" hole on top. They guard them all. I will say that robbing gets them pretty crazy though.
Quote from: Joelel on October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am
Would it be better to just have one top entrance ?

Some say it is. In my opinion it's really up to you though.
Quote from: Joelel on October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am
With top entrances,do you put landing boards on ?
No. Bees don't really need a landing board. I've never seen a feral hive with a landing board.
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Offline Joelel

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Re: Top entrance
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2009, 04:51:02 pm »
Quote from: contactme_11 on October 13, 2009, 03:55:47 pm
Quote from: Joelel on October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am
Does anyone have bottom and top entrance in their hives ?
I do. I use a medium entrance reducer on the bottom and a 3/4" hole on the top.
Quote from: Joelel on October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am
I been told the bees will only guard one entrance. Having two entrances,will that be an invite to robbers and all other pests ?
Bees will guard as many entrances as you have. I have one hive that has an entrance reducer that I made with two 3/4"x 3/8" openings (1 on each side), a crack in one of the boxes the bees come and go from, and a 3/4" hole on top. They guard them all. I will say that robbing gets them pretty crazy though.
Quote from: Joelel on October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am
Would it be better to just have one top entrance ?

Some say it is. In my opinion it's really up to you though.
Quote from: Joelel on October 13, 2009, 11:53:44 am
With top entrances,do you put landing boards on ?
No. Bees don't really need a landing board. I've never seen a feral hive with a landing board.

Right,I never seen the need for a landing board. The hive I had back in the 80s didn't have one. The only thing I can figure is,it makes things easier for the bees like,keeping them from crashing and having to hold on so hard when landing.
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Acts2:37: Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40: And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Top entrance
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2009, 08:11:51 pm »
Occasionally I've seen a hive abandon and not guard a back entrance, but that is pretty rare.  Usually they guard every little hole.
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My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Offline Cindi

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Re: Top entrance
« Reply #7 on: October 14, 2009, 11:44:53 am »
John, I have always had a top and bottom entrance.  In our area most people have the top entrance, which is integral to moisture release in the colony, we are a very moist climate, in all the beekeeping courses, a top one is a must and this is guarded, always bees hanging out at that entrance too.  Have that great and most awesome day, health.  Cindi
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