Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => TOP BAR HIVES - WARRE HIVES - LONG HIVES => Topic started by: wineds on April 21, 2011, 02:26:59 am

Title: Help with setting up an old TBH for a new package of bees
Post by: wineds on April 21, 2011, 02:26:59 am

I'm looking for some advice on getting a 3 year old TBH ready for a new package coming this weekend.  I heard somewhere that you should singe the inside of the box, maybe to get all of the old family's scents??? 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Title: Re: Help with setting up an old TBH for a new package of bees
Post by: BjornBee on April 21, 2011, 07:37:14 am

Scorching the inside is usually a precautionary step for those times for boxes are in the barn for the past 20 years (Old timer stored, died, getting out of bees, etc.), and the history is unknown.

For a three year old TBH, I'll assume you know whom you bought the equipment from, the history of past problems, etc. I would not think that a three year old TBH would have many problems.

If this is your equipment, no scorching is needed....unless you had AFB.

Scorching is for disease control, and nothing else.

Title: Re: Help with setting up an old TBH for a new package of bees
Post by: wineds on April 22, 2011, 01:25:18 am

Thanks for your help - the equipment was mine, and there were really no problems other than a first try at keeping bees on a rooftop.  I think they had too little sources for food and water nearby and the heat got to them... 

I appreciate the feedback! 

Title: Re: Help with setting up an old TBH for a new package of bees
Post by: Danger Brown on June 23, 2011, 02:11:56 am

Good luck with that new package! Never give up!