Abelo poly hive, old style v new.

[Cuckmere couple]

I drilled 5-6mm holes through the plastic frame "into" the hive as drain holes, one at each corner. Works well. I have a few new ones with the notches but looks like I need to do the same with them!

interesting...where does the water drain to?

 

[Gilberdyke John]

i have the versions which need a notch cut to allow water to escape as they still fill up

has anyone figured what to use to cut this to minimise disruption to bees or do i need to empty the boxes to do it

keen to hear from anyone who has cut the notches

Junior hacksaw blade, dremel (cut price LIDL equivalent), drill - the options are wide and varied. An electric soldering iron would also work.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

interesting...where does the water drain to?

Trickles down the wall and out at bottom. Drinking water available without going outside.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

thanks John, was thinking that spadgers method drilled a hole so water went into the sides of the hive i.e. a vertical hole in the plastic, the Abelo cut outs are a notch at the end to allow water to run down inside of the wall which i think is your description

agree re useful water internally!