Stingless bee basics- Monitoring bee hives
Monitoring bee hives is one way to learn heaps more about your bees. From seeing queens do dances to new bees hatch. If you have the time I recommend installing a panel to see your bees.
Check out the video to see inside some hives and a few ways to do this.
Monitoring bee hives- Tips
Reusable panels
-Resins, wax and propolis, when stuck to a clear panel, are very hard to clean. If your panel is dirty, do not use chemicals to clean it. Simply put it in the freezer and chill it down as cold as it will go. Remove and give it a twist and the resins etc will chip off. Save these resins and feed them back to the colony they came from. The bees store these for a reason and they are important to them.
Disposable panels
-If you replace your disposable panel, put the old one next to the hive with a rock on it. This will allow the resins etc to heat up and be collected by your bees. When no more bees go to it, throw it away.
-Make your panel in two pieces of laminated glass if glass is what you choose to use. Large pieces break. Do not rebate glass into the top of your box.
-Use weather seal to seal out pests and the weather from your hive.
-Perspex looks good for a while but scratches if you’re not careful when cleaning it. Don’t use sharp bladed tools on it unless you’re very careful.
– Bees prefer to bee in the dark when in their hive so have a quick look and then close the lid. Sit with your box at night for extended observation time.
– Show children bees, they are the future beekeepers.
