wasp tunnel mark two

enrico · Aug 29, 2019

Just a few photos for those that were not around last year to show a simple wasp tunnel that seems to stop wasps entering your hive made with a simple piece of cable trunking.
it is pinned to the side pieces of the floor and is easily removable. It can be altered to allow the entrance to be open or only accessed via a long tunnel which deters wasps. there is a piece of foam in each end to block off the end you dont want used.

pargyle · Aug 29, 2019

enrico said:
Just a few photos for those that were not around last year to show a simple wasp tunnel that seems to stop wasps entering your hive made with a simple piece of cable trunking.
it is pinned to the side pieces of the floor and is easily removable. It can be altered to allow the entrance to be open or only accessed via a long tunnel which deters wasps. there is a piece of foam in each end to block off the end you dont want used.

Yes .. I liked that last year ... I never got round to making one but I've got some lengths of trunking left over from a project and I might just make some.

Did it take long for the bees to find their way into the end of the trunking and do you just leave one end open when the tunnel is in operation or do you leave both ends open ?

Apiarisnt · Aug 29, 2019

Baffling wasps

https://herefordshirebeekeepers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/HBKAnewsletter-August-2019.pdf

See page 9

enrico · Aug 29, 2019

I put a piece of foam in one end so that only one end is in use and then when I put it on the first time I leave it open in front of the entrance. When they are used to it I close the front bits together and use the whole front as a slider. I extend it a couple of inches each time until they find heir way in and out.
I find if you cut the front bit in half you can slide it to wherever you want and leave it in forever if you wish. Works a treat. Made from scraps and easy to install.
I don't bother with the holes in the front and if you make it the width of the hive two drawing pins at each end keep it attached to the side floor bars. Easier than screws.
E

Bee Boys · Aug 29, 2019

Thank you enrico I will try to make one.

Millet · Aug 29, 2019

That is a cracking idea Eric..

Murox · Aug 29, 2019

Simple and effective

The Poot in Somerset · Aug 29, 2019

Thanks Enrico - a job for the weekend methinks

Beersmith · Aug 29, 2019

Thank you. A really useful contribution.

I paid out quite a bit for a specially designed wasp excluder. Did it work? Yes, in that it kept wasps out.

But was it any good? No, it was useless. The entrance was so restricted that there was a rapid build up of detritus and dead bees within the hive. Foragers returning with pollen could not get in without a lot of it being dislodged. I considered it not fit for purpose.

So a practical inexpensive suggestion like this is brilliant. Thanks again.

malgreen · Aug 30, 2019

wasp excluder

I just put one of the retailers wasp excluders in yesterday and am going to look to see how they are getting on, but yours is fact a better idea in that you have made a cut in the centre allowing a front opening. I reckon the retailer will be changing their design on seeing yours ( now where's my hacksaw gone! )

citrus · Aug 30, 2019

enrico said:
Just a few photos for those that were not around last year to show a simple wasp tunnel that seems to stop wasps entering your hive made with a simple piece of cable trunking.
it is pinned to the side pieces of the floor and is easily removable. It can be altered to allow the entrance to be open or only accessed via a long tunnel which deters wasps. there is a piece of foam in each end to block off the end you dont want used.

Eric .. I could probably screw that into the poly hive too ..right ?

sean-a · Aug 30, 2019

Excellent Idea
Thanks Enrico

pargyle · Aug 30, 2019

citrus said:
Eric .. I could probably screw that into the poly hive too ..right ?

Double sided tape or stickers ... or even adhesive velcro ?

https://www.toolstation.com/velcro-brand-stick-on-squares/p97703

drex · Aug 31, 2019

My original idea was that these were screwed onto the entrance block permanently. Only the flat bit of the trunking and not the channel bit, which I'd remove when tunnel not needed

papa_sierra · Aug 31, 2019

I was having problems with wasps and robbing. As I had reduced entrances anyway I made up a short length of oval trunking with an 8mm approx hole in the trunking facing the hive entrance and blue tacked it in place. Peace returned.

enrico · Aug 31, 2019

Some of the trunking comes with sticky tape on but it is on the channel side. I found that the channel side is better facing outwards. Tried it the other way first but the sticky came unstuck on a wooden hive so nothing gained.
By the way. My thanks to Drex and others who also gave their input in the last two years which ended up with the mark two. I do not claim sole ingenuity!
E

BMH · Aug 31, 2019

drex said:
My original idea was that these were screwed onto the entrance block permanently. Only the flat bit of the trunking and not the channel bit, which I'd remove when tunnel not needed

A permanent option could be modified to close bees in for oxalic treatment but more importantly, when moving colonies from one apiary to the other.

I get fed up using foam inserts!

citrus · Sep 2, 2019

papa_sierra said:
I was having problems with wasps and robbing. As I had reduced entrances anyway I made up a short length of oval trunking with an 8mm approx hole in the trunking facing the hive entrance and blue tacked it in place. Peace returned.

like this for a quick n dirty option

Bassett · Sep 2, 2019

Using simple idea cut from plastic drinks bottle. Entrance reduced with sponge.
Seen wasps flying around entrance but haven't seen one inside hive and/or exiting hive. Bees still come flying out and crashing into the plastic but they soon learn to walk to the side.

Fiona in South View · Aug 19, 2020

Thank you everyone! Have shown all the photos to ‘as good as’ half and he is going to see what he has for a quick solution. Interesting enough, when I went out, the numbers around the hives had reduced, but I found them all clustered up the sides of the lids, especially the one deep lid I have. They weren’t over the top, just sheltering up the sides. I have also opened up my bee shed which is close by as that proved a great wasp attraction
last year, but not so much for the bees.

wasp tunnel mark two

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