Japanese beehive: dimensions and drawings for making, how to do it yourself

Beekeepers use different versions of bee houses. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Japanese bee hives are easy to assemble and easy to collect honey. According to the principle of operation, they are similar to Varre options, decks, bihive and some others. A beginner beekeeper needs to familiarize himself with the principles of his work and the manufacturing process at home.

Features of Japanese hives

This version of the dwelling for insects differs in design, honey collection technology and some other principles of beekeeping. The following features are considered the main ones:

• hive is assembled from several vertical hives;
• a grid is placed in the upper part, leaving some space free;
• the location of the frames allows the bees to move faster between the streets;
• there is no canvas, which is often installed in domestic bee houses.

Attention! The main feature is the formation of monolithic honeycombs, which are located along the entire height of the insect dwelling. If it is necessary to remove the body, the honeycombs are separated by a string, without fear of collapse of the structure.

Pros and cons

The use of the Japanese version is distinguished by the absence of frames, which means significant cost savings, exemption from some work. Other benefits include:

• beekeeper does not need to assemble frame structures;
• no need to install wire;
• the inner case does not need to be waxed, clean the surface of wax after collecting honey;

• frames do not need to be prepared for wintering - disinfect, save honeycombs, perform other actions.

When caring for and observing the bees, you do not need to look inside the house, which means you do not have to disturb the bee family. Honey is extracted using a press. The disadvantages include the following points:

• difficulties that may arise when adding additional individuals;
• difficulties with selection or replacement of the uterus, formation of layering;
• the process of checking bee families for various diseases is difficult.

Some beekeepers use the method of adding additional individuals to bee families annually, which is not always suitable for beginner beekeepers.

Dimensions and drawings

The standard parameters of a Japanese hive are 20 cm by 30 cm. If necessary, beekeepers can make adjustments to the characteristics of the usual design. For example, some beekeepers prefer the 30 cm by 30 cm option. Other sizes:

• height of one case - 15 cm;
• lattice located in the upper part - 5-6 rails of 3 cm;
• distance between slats - from 0.5 cm to 1 cm.

In some cases, wire is used instead of rails, which is allowed by the design of the bee house and does not contradict the principle of its manufacture. More about sizes in the next video.

Parts and tools for making

To make a home for Japanese bees, you need to prepare a workplace, as well as the following materials and tools:

• wood (it is desirable to choose dense species);
• wood slats or wire (depending on the preferences of the beekeeper);
• saw, sandpaper, knife. Attention! In some cases, you will need a planer to work. Boards should be fairly smooth. Notches and bumps are not allowed because they can damage the legs or wings of insects;

• nails for fastening parts;
• hammer.

In addition to the hammer, you can use a screwdriver. When working, a minimum set of tools and materials is used, some can be replaced with similar ones. The beekeeper can also process the finished product with paint.

Handmade

To assemble a bee dwelling, you need to follow a few steps of a simple instruction:

• prepare a drawing of a house;
• make markings on the boards, sawing and sanding the details;
• assemble the cases according to the selected dimensions (20 cm by 30 cm or 30 cm by 30 cm);

• elements are connected with nails;
• assemble a cross from rails or wire.

The assembly process is simple. It is necessary to carefully mark and cut. The roof is made at your discretion - samples and options can be found in the images presented.

Rules for keeping bees in Japanese hives

To ensure a comfortable existence for insects and to minimize the interference of the beekeeper, it is necessary to take into account some features of keeping bees in Japanese hives. These include the following:

• expansion of the structure is carried out only from below - honeycombs are lined up by bees vertically, so it is possible to add an additional body. Attention! Similar separate blocks are installed in the spring. It is necessary to take into account the period of brood formation in a bee family, which depends on the breed of insects and the region;

• when preparing for the winter period, some of the compartments are removed (lower elements) - sufficient height for winter is about 40 cm, for example, you can leave three compartments 15 cm high;
• beekeepers recommend leaving one notch - for the vertical design of the hive, one entrance will be enough, it is located at the bottom;
• if the summer is hot, you can increase the size of the notch or make the bottom mesh;
• it is necessary to cut the cases with wire, threading it between the sections;

• some beekeepers prefer to reduce the height of bee dwellings to 10 cm - this way you can check the fullness of the combs so as not to cut "at random".

On the territory of Russia, this version of the bee house is not common, but it is recommended for a beginner beekeeper to try different types of dwellings in order to be able to compare technologies and results. The Japanese hive allows you to create conditions that are as close to natural as possible. Content features are detailed in the following video.

The Japanese version of the bee house differs in design from the usual hives (for example, Dadanovsky). There are no usual frames, and insects build honeycombs vertically. Hives of a vertical design have certain advantages and disadvantages, which are better to get acquainted with on your own experience.

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