Author Topic: One of the Bee Yards I handle (Read 5590 times)

capt44 · « **on:** May 20, 2015, 12:19:33 am »

Here is one of many hives in Prairie County
I'm tired in this picture.

Jen · « **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2015, 02:23:06 am »

I can see why your tired capt44, that's a lot of super stackin' there.

Perry · « **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2015, 06:43:01 am »

I can understand raising hives up off the ground, but why so much?

That would be incredibly hard to work on.

tecumseh · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2015, 07:23:39 am »

the economist in me wants to ask..... why so tall? doesn't this add to the toil and therefore at least suggest certain uneconomic consequences?

just wonderin' out loud......

tefer2 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2015, 07:42:21 am »

Not having the skunks and coons pestering your hives, is well worth the extra work.
How often are you going to unstack them anyway?
That's what the extra block on the ground is for.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2015, 09:10:54 am »

Using straps I see. Good call.

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2015, 10:49:36 am »

I have 9 hives in one outyard just like that, but setting on one set of concrete blocks (12 in. off the ground) and have been told to keep stacking supers on.

I'm thinking the extra block on the ground is to stand on to look in and work the top super. Good job Capt44. Jack

barry42001 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2015, 12:26:20 pm »

That one ratcheting strap and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee if the hive falls over. Were it me and since my hive placement is permanent I would lose the extra cinder blocks, and consider a wind screen to at least break some of the wind up, assuming that's the purpose of ratcheting straps. If not you need another strap.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2015, 09:26:20 am »

Glad to see the supers on, hope they are filling up! I have a couple hives with 4 supers on them now, but it looks like the rain is about to start moving in...

Zweefer · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2015, 07:17:16 pm »

Not till Sunday.... Hoping it holds until Monday!

robo · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2015, 08:44:21 pm »

Quote from: barry42001 on May 20, 2015, 12:26:20 pm

That one ratcheting strap and $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee if the hive falls over.

I think you are underestimating the ratchet straps worth. I had a bear knock a hive off an 8ft roof and the ratchet strap kept it all together. Yes some of the hive bodies got torqued and a few outer frames broke, but for the most part it survived the fall much better than I would have expected.

robo · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2015, 08:49:42 pm »

Quote from: capt44 on May 20, 2015, 12:19:33 am

Here is one of many hives in Prairie County

Capt, I have the same setup in one of my yards. I have some thoughts on the height above the ground, but folks would call me a quack if I said why. Whatever your rationale, if it works for you keep doing it..

Les · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2015, 09:13:15 pm »

Holy Cow Capt, no wonder you are tired.....that is a lot to look after. Good for you that you have the hives ratcheted in place.

Jen · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2015, 10:34:12 pm »

Robo- "I have some thoughts on the height above the ground, but folks would call me a quack if I said why.

My hives are about 1 1/2 feet off the ground, I need them that way so I don't have to stoop so much. I would like to know your quack reasoning Robo

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2015, 08:33:54 am »

Robo.. I might not agree with ONE of your methods,, but no one will call you a quack... well... Iddee and Perry both frequent here... No one ELSE.... umm, forgot about Jack.. Never mind...

Had a tornado go past about a mile away one summer.. Not only did it blow over hives, it blew the cinder blocks that were on the ground a couple feet... The hives went straight backward, the ratchet straps held them together, and for the most part, all i did was stand them back up. With the addition of a LOT more hives I have gotten away from the ratchet straps... and I know it will mean way more damage in the event they ever get blown over again.

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #15 on:** May 22, 2015, 10:06:09 am »

A few years ago i had two survivor hives side by side, i called them twin towers,2 deeps, 5 med supers. Well they didn't have a strap on them and a storm came through and blew them over

(what a mess) i didn't know which brood box or super went where?? plus them being P'od

. It took me 4 different tries to get them back up ( they would attack at 100 ft. away

) They never recovered to what they were and dwindled and died out, no matter what i did to build them up? They didn't have any type of treatment or requeened (by me) for the 8 yrs. i had them, i did raise queens from there eggs, but they are not what there mothers were. Maybe if i had strapped them

. Jack

Dunkel · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2015, 01:49:11 pm »

I'd have all my hives that high off the ground if I could. I have ran out of all my old blocks and anything else I can put them on. I'd love to have straps on all of mine also, but have a hard time finding enough to move more than five at a time. Dad treats them like my tools, good for one use then they are never seen again. I guess payback for how I did him in my youth

Jen · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2015, 01:58:14 pm »

Hey Dunkel- Hubby and I scavenge the city dump for things like cinder block our foundation blocks. That's where we found my first 2 tables that I have my hives on. Prevents me from stooping too much while in the hives. And it's a great way to deter skunks n'such. If a skunk lifts up on it's hind legs to get into the hive, the bees sting their belly's

Lburou · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2015, 02:40:58 pm »

Our hives are on a bench that is 16" tall.

That bench is empty today....The neighbors were getting stung.

Capt, I'm with you on elevating hives. Ants, skunks, feral hogs, and my aching back are good reasons. :-)

barry42001 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 24, 2015, 03:44:03 pm »

Just the opposite for me bending over to lift hurts, lifting from knee height and higher works better for me.