Deck for bees: how to do it yourself, drawings for beginners

Stock beekeeping has a very long history. With the advent of hives, the technology fell out of favor, but it has not been forgotten. Experienced beekeepers have begun to revive the old technology of breeding insects. At the same time, the use of a deck for bees has many advantages. Many beekeepers believe that this method allows you to get the most delicious and he althy honey.

What is deck beekeeping?

The bee deck is a stationary hive that does not require systematic maintenance by the beekeeper. Deck beekeeping cannot be called an innovative method. This method has been practiced for a long time. At the same time, it does not require significant labor costs.

A more modern option is the use of the combi hive deck. This structure is based on the centuries-old practice of classical insect breeding and modern techniques.

Insect breeding in a hollow hive does not require replacement, collection and extension of frames. With this method, there is no need to move the enclosures or regularly service them. This is especially true for beginners. In deck hives, it is required to periodically remove parts of the combs and thereby force the bees to build new ones.

Specific content of bees in decks

Stock beekeeping has many distinctive features:

• Decks are considered more durable. With large sizes, even a large bee colony will be able to live in the building for a long time.
• The deck is considered more comfortable for the swarm to live in comparison with a rectangular industrial hive. At the same time, the beekeeper may be uncomfortable when removing combs or maintaining cleanliness inside.
• Man does not take part in the life of bees. The beekeeper only needs to clean the deck from the inside and pull out some of the combs with honey in the fall.
• Bees build their own combs and seal excess holes, and also treat various infections. They arrange the honeycomb cells as they see fit. After some time, the space of the deck is filled.
• A person does not need to regularly monitor the life of a bee colony or perform preventive treatments.

Varieties

Decks are divided into several types:

• vertical;
• oblique;
• collapsible multilevel.

Vertical structures in the form of a cylinder are more reminiscent of ancient boards.They are made from hardwood logs up to 2 meters long. Its size should not be less than 50 centimeters in diameter. With the walls and the middle removed, the structure is made no thinner than 5-7 centimeters. Wooden lids are used on both sides.

The trunk is used to make an inclined sunbed. It is important that it has sufficient thickness for the comfortable life of the bees. If the trunk of the required diameter could not be found, the deck can be made from boards. In this case, it will have the shape of a right parallelepiped. Such a side should have a slope of up to 30 degrees.

It is also possible to make sections. They should be hollow inside.

Such structural elements are stacked on top of each other. After filling the upper part with honey, it is replaced with a new one. In this case, the lower section cannot be emptied. To get more honey, it is permissible to put additional frames in each design.

If the deck is made from a solid trunk, a door needs to be cut in the back surface. It will help clear the structure of clogged cells. Usually the frame is placed directly under the top cover.

Pros and cons of the method

Beginning beekeepers are more suitable for breeding insects in hives. However, deck technology also has many advantages:

• Hive decks are characterized by a higher ecological cleanliness compared to modern structures. There is no need to use artificial materials or chemicals to kill pests.
• In the beehives, the bees are not so often smoked with a smoker and are practically not disturbed. Thanks to this, insects have a calmer character. Deck houses can be placed in the yard and not be afraid that bees will attack people.
• Due to the lack of frames, insects are characterized by greater freedom. They fill the deck with honeycombs on their own. Natural housing reduces the likelihood of insect diseases and reduces Pomor. In addition, it improves the taste of honey and adapts to weather conditions.
• Stock beekeeping is associated with a minimum of costs. There is no need to buy frames, food and other devices.
• Stock hives do not need a dungaree for wintering. Bees can winter right on the street. At the same time, they themselves create a suitable microclimate in the house.
• Collecting honey in decks hurts bees less. Only a part of the combs is taken from insects. At the same time, the integrity of their nests is not violated. Honey remains in the hive for winter nutrition.

At the same time, the use of a deck for breeding bees is also characterized by certain disadvantages:

• The deck holds relatively little honey. Bort is more suitable for the comfortable living of a bee swarm than for making honey.
• The deck is not opened during the whole year after the settlement of the bee colony. It is this period of time that insects need to set up and create a reserve for the first wintering.
• There is only a little free space left in the deck to collect honey. At the same time, honeycombs are difficult to pull out. The rate of replenishment of stocks depends solely on the family.
• The walls of the deck from the inside are occupied by honeycombs that fill almost the entire interior space. At the same time, old honeycombs can become clogged, so they will have to be cleaned. It is recommended to do this at least once every 5 years. Bees will not live in a clogged deck. In this case, the swarm will move to another place.
• The board cannot be moved. It is characterized by large size and heavy weight. In addition, there is a risk of breaking the walls of the cells.

Dimensions and Drawing

Before starting construction, it is important to prepare a drawing of the future hive. It is required to indicate the exact dimensions of the structure. It is recommended to draw painstakingly, since it is necessary to determine the required dimensions in detail.

Making a deck with your own hands

To make a deck with your own hands, it is recommended to prepare the following:

• log with a diameter of at least 90 centimeters;
• 2 cut trees - their thickness should be 6 centimeters;
• cotton fabric;
• electric or petrol saw;
• loops;
• large chisel;
• nails.

To make a deck for bees, you need to follow these steps:

• Cut circles from the ends of the log. It is recommended to do this with a cutter. It is important to retreat a few centimeters from the edge. The serif will act as a guide for sawing the middle of the trunk.
• Cut wood and remove it with a chisel. As a result, you need to get a hollow 6 centimeters in size.
• Make the hollow smooth. To do this, use large sandpaper.
• Close the holes above and below with prepared cuts.
• Drill a notch with a diameter of 9 millimeters with a drill.
• Smear the inner walls of the deck with propolis, which will attract bees.
• Fix the beehive to the tree.

Terms of Use

Beginner beekeepers need to learn the rules for using the deck. Before settling bees inside, it is worth putting slats. The interval between them should be the same as between the frames in an ordinary hive.

An important rule of deck content is updating the nest. If this is not done, after a while the cells decrease in size. As a result, the bees become smaller and less productive.

Using a special deck for bees has a number of advantages. This method of breeding insects allows you to get better and tastier honey.

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