Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 16 of 16

Thread: Poly hive queen excluders and varroa floors

  1. #11
    Senior Member fatshark's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Ardnamurchan & Fife
    Posts
    1,693

    Default

    I'm just finishing the first season with a bunch of Abelo boxes which are my only all poly boxes. I have other mixed Sweinty + wood combinations. I get much more condensation in the Abelo boxes. I'm not aware of it in Sweinty+perspex crownboard+insulation. In the Abelo boxes there are often little puddles underneath the frame lugs.

    I've had to get a second shed to keep all the little plug in ventilation blocks Perhaps I should use them instead?

  2. #12
    Senior Member Mellifera Crofter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Aberdeenshire, on top of a wind-swept and exposed hill.
    Posts
    1,190

    Default

    Yes, I have noticed puddles in the lug gully, but I don't think it matters. They're little drinking troughs for the bees if they need it.

    Perhaps the same would have happened in Swienties, but because of the small gaps between the ends of the lugs and hive wall, the water drips away, and one doesn't notice it?

    I like the holes in the sides. They're handy to create a top entrance when needed. I have thought of using the ventilation plugs to create a kind of entrance reducer for the top opening - but I haven't done that yet. Next summer ...

    Kitta

  3. #13

    Default

    Anyone suspect these puddles are due to the hard plastic, ie cold spots, or that the faces do not meet flush because of them? I don't have puddles in my swienty's.

  4. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Scottish Borders
    Posts
    439

    Default

    I have serious doubts about the Abelo product.

    PH

  5. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    West Wales, Gorllewin Cymru
    Posts
    709

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Poly Hive View Post
    I have serious doubts about the Abelo product.

    PH
    I bought one as a trial and I'm quite liking it as a box, not sure on the floor or crown board but the brood box and supers seem very good, what I am exited about is their poly national Ashforth feeder, good to go out of the box (as is the rest of their poly national offerings) and a well designed and built bit of kit imho

  6. #16
    Senior Member Mellifera Crofter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Aberdeenshire, on top of a wind-swept and exposed hill.
    Posts
    1,190

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by steve View Post
    Anyone suspect these puddles are due to the hard plastic, ie cold spots, or that the faces do not meet flush because of them? I don't have puddles in my swienty's.
    I've had another look at a Swienty hive and I'm sure the reason there aren't puddles in a Swienty is as I've suggested above: If water did collect in the gully of a Swienty, it will just dribble or flow out where the lug rises meet the walls. The lug rises aren't a perfect fit from wall to wall. Perhaps one should compare it with one of the poly hives that has polystyrene lug rises, as in the Maisiemore nucs - but I've cut the lug rises of those nucs to avoid all the squashing of bees on top of the top bars, so I can't compare.

    But - the puddles in the Abelo hives aren't a problem. The hives are dry, and not mouldy at all.

    Kitta

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •