Hive PPU: drawings and dimensions, DIY instructions

Usually, bee houses are made from different types of wood. Some structures of recent years have begun to be built from polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene. The hives made of polyurethane foam are cheaper and weigh less. A novice beekeeper needs to familiarize himself with the advantages and disadvantages of such buildings, the features and method of making the device at home.

Features of hives from this material

To use such bee houses, it is necessary to take into account the structural features of the buildings. The following elements must be present:

bottom - consists of three components (bottom, tick net, tray);
pallet - made of plywood, tin, plexiglass. Attention! With the help of a pallet, you can assess the current state of the hive and the bee family. The presence of debris and the remains of dead insects (mites and other species) indicates diseases, the presence of viruses and other diseases;

cover is an essential element, protects the bee dwelling from external weather factors (and not only);
frames - are present in almost every type of hive (except for those whose design involves the independent formation of honeycombs by bees);
movable bottom - often used in buildings where two bee colonies are housed at the same time.

Attention! Before starting work with such structures, it is necessary to study the advantages and disadvantages of the material. Some options are not intended to be used under certain conditions (such as exposure to sunlight).

Pros and cons

The first beehives made of polyurethane began to be used about 30 years ago. Pros of Use:

material does not decompose;
mold, fungus do not appear on the surface;
PPU provides suitable thermal and sound insulation characteristics, which is especially important for regions with cold or rapidly changing climates;

The designs are light weight and easy to care for.

PPU buildings are considered environmentally friendly, they last longer than the usual wooden hives (with proper and timely care). Read more about the advantages and disadvantages in the video.

Does the material affect the quality of honey?

The composition of polyurethane foam is considered environmentally friendly, so polyurethane foam hives are safe for bees. Features:

studies have confirmed that the material does not emit harmful chemicals, so there is no possibility of contamination of the environment or bee products. Attention! These rules apply only to high-quality PPU. Poor-quality or damaged polyurethane foam has an unpleasant chemical smell, quite specific. Insects can react sharply and refuse to house and stay in it;

before buying, you need to examine the design for damage and the presence of foreign odors that usually accumulate inside;
besides, honey absorbs foreign substances, so it is important to check the purchased constructions.

Houses that have passed the test will not affect the quality of the products received. Therefore, they can be used in apiaries without fear of damage to honey.

Tools and materials

Such bee dwellings can be purchased at the store or assembled by yourself. The beekeeper needs to prepare the following tools:

ruler (metal is more suitable);
selected material (sheet foam);
stationery knife;
steel angle, liquid nails, screws, sandpaper;
screwdriver, hammer, circular saw.

Some hardware experience required for assembly. It is important to follow the safety rules for working with power tools.

Drawings and dimensions

When assembling, the beekeeper can use ready-made drawings with dimensions or create their own. The standard version of the bee dwelling is designed for 12 frames with dimensions of 45 cm by 45 cm. Values of other elements:

lid - 54 cm by 45 cm, height 7 cm;
bottom - 56 cm by 45 cm, height 10.5 cm;
standard body - 54 cm by 45 cm, height 30 cm;
between the side parts you need to leave a distance equal to the number of frames multiplied by 3.75 cm;
the height of the collected hive is the length of the frame and folds;
between the bottom of the dwelling and the nesting frame you need to leave 2 cm.

It is recommended that you first draw up a diagram on paper, setting and checking all the necessary parameters and characteristics. It is important to check the values for compatibility before building. The proposed options do not always take into account the wishes and preferences of the beekeeper, so it will not be superfluous to calculate your own option.

Handmade

To assemble the structure yourself, you must do the following:

apply markings on sheet material;
cut out the necessary elements, process the edges of the parts. Attention! It is important to process the cut blocks, it is not allowed to leave notches and irregularities due to the fact that such parts can damage the wings and legs of insects. To do this, use sandpaper;

collect a pallet with a grid (it is desirable to make this element out of wood);
make an insert that will help control the passages in winter and summer;
assemble the required number of cases, the edges are connected with glue;
for more bonding, you need to make additional wooden strapping on top and bottom;
ventilation holes are placed in the corners, covered with a net (so that the bees cannot scatter).

At the last stage, the lid is assembled, which needs to be strengthened with moisture-proof material. In most cases, galvanized iron is used. The top element should protect the hive from the weather, rodents, and other insects. Learn more about assembling houses in the video.

Polyurethane foam hives have been on the market for about 30 years. The material, although artificially created, has a lot of advantages. The buildings are light, inexpensive, easy to assemble on their own. It will take a small number of tools, drawings to mark the parameters, a little time.