Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING => Topic started by: PhilK on August 17, 2017, 05:54:41 am
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Hi all,
Been reading a bit and have seen a bit about polystyrene hives - they appear to be pretty good. They seem much lighter than wood, don't require painting, and have good insulation properties, so I'm wondering if any of you lot use them and what your thoughts are.
Secondly, any good place to purchase them in Australia? They are pricier than wood but are they worth it?
Thanks
Phil
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G'day Phil...
A number of supply points throughout Aussie here is a cheapie;
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/vasse/miscellaneous-goods/bee-hive-kits-polystyrene-paradise-honey-beebox/1117670851
I built mine own from this material (pix). It is markedly different to
what is available as supers, hopefully getting over some of the
potential problems I see with using the "off the shelf" product.
Mine is a Lang+long+topbar+foundationless hive.
Cheers.
Bill
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Thanks for the reply - that's three boxes, a bottom board, and a lid for $215, right? There doesn't seem to be an option to buy individual boxes. Seems like those prices would quickly stack up for us. I'm not sure I'm handy enough to be building my own, might need to wait for them to become cheaper.
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Thanks for the reply - that's three boxes, a bottom board, and a lid for $215, right?
Yep, twas my read of it all.
And not too fussed on the design used, neither. Looks to me like it was designed more
for the blowmoulder niceities than the beekeeper.
There doesn't seem to be an option to buy individual boxes.
Not on that site, no... but price would only increase as quanity fell.
Seems like those prices would quickly stack up for us. I'm not sure I'm handy enough to be
building my own, might need to wait for them to become cheaper.
m?aaaate, I say maaaaaaaate, there is where I do not usually post pix of __my__
woodwork/constructions. If I was Noah there wouldna bee a single living animal on this
Earth today!! No BS!!
Buuuut... bees do not know this, like architects they luuuuuve the sight of
chaulk and a good lick of paint. Such covers a _lot_ of failure to "measure
twice, cut once". They are happy enough to have a happy loving environment to frolic in!! ;-))))
Cheerio...
Bill
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pssssst.... my best bet is you would be waiting for "cheaper" a very long
time as that unmentionable "automatic honey hive" has set a trend many
- who had zero interest in anything bee related - have suddenly discovered
a whole new market for their entreprenerial(sp?)skills.
I recall making supers out of old eskys back in the '80s, hence I know some of
their failures in actual use.
B
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Look at the bunyip beekeeper. He sells individual boxes.
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Look at the bunyip beekeeper. He sells individual boxes.
Same deal Brub... and "out of stock". Thanks.
Cheers.
Bill
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They do need painting, once painted not recyclable.
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Why do they need to be painted? Polystrene doesn't weather or rot?
And I don't think it's recyclable anyway is it?
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Apparently they weather.
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UV stability is an issue with all plastics exposed to direct sunlight.
Painting them will greatly assist with longevity.
Polystyrene undergoes photooxidative degradation when exposed to UV radiation and needs protection, either stabilisation during manufacture or after.
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Why do they need to be painted? Polystrene doesn't weather or rot?
And I don't think it's recyclable anyway is it?
What Milo said... and it is a powdery type degradation as opposed
to complete fracture as is seen in polycarb.
Painted primarily for that reason - and limited methods of that too - and
also to hopefully protect the boxes from accidental spillage of the many
fluids that will "eat it".
The prime disadvantage however is box damage, particularly when moving
stacks, heavy stacks. I resorted to 50x50mm (16ga.) zinc-anneal corner strips
when packing for transit... then something else rubs a hole in the stack,
midbox. Fun times ;-).
Cheers.
Bill