Best way to put the entrance block in.

[Levitt53]

I want to out the entrance block into my hive as they are very strong but there have been a few wasps sniffing about. I tried to just put it in the other night when it was getting dark and they all were inside but it's obviously very tight and I was scared of pushing the whole lot apart. I'm toying between going back when it's dark tonight and using a small hammer to get it in, or should I do it with a helper during the day, suited, and lift the brood box to get in it. Which way will disturb the bees less or have I missed an obvious way.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I want to out the entrance block into my hive ....................... I'm toying between going back when it's dark tonight and using a small hammer to get it in

Well, that might be interesting

Are the hives strapped? I can't shift mine unless I loosen the straps.
Best done with a helper maybe....they can just ease a hive tool in between the floor and the brood box for you

 

[enrico]

Just lift one corner of the brood box with your hive tool and it should slip in. Or....shave a bit off the top of the entrance block with sand paper or a plane. I put a couple of screws in the front to make it easier to put in and take out.
E

 

[Levitt53]

No it isn't strapped. They are very sheltered so I'll just strap them in the winter. I didn't want to just push thought obviously. I'll have another go tonight when it's dark and just lift them a bit.

 

[theeggman]

Just lift one corner of the brood box with your hive tool and it should slip in. Or....shave a bit off the top of the entrance block with sand paper or a plane. I put a couple of screws in the front to make it easier to put in and take out.
E

We're running mainly poly and I put a screw in BEHIND the entrance block to stop us/ me pushing it too far in, and screws in the front helps you remove it when you require, I just use my penknife to tweak them out. But as Enrico says a hive tool between floor and brood will help to create a space and will help a lot.

 

[Levitt53]

Thanks

 

[Karsal]

I want to out the entrance block into my hive as they are very strong but there have been a few wasps sniffing about. I tried to just put it in the other night when it was getting dark and they all were inside but it's obviously very tight and I was scared of pushing the whole lot apart. I'm toying between going back when it's dark tonight and using a small hammer to get it in, or should I do it with a helper during the day, suited, and lift the brood box to get in it. Which way will disturb the bees less or have I missed an obvious way.

OMG! A small hammer. I only peeked in one dark night when first started beekeeping. I'll never do that again!
Hell they chased me en mass for 30 yards. Never seen anything happen so fast.
Coat either side in Vaseline and prise up one corner of the hive and slide it under then do the same on the other side. As said earlier put a couple of screws in so you can move it easier.

 

[REDWOOD]

I never take mine out anymore.

 

[Gaz1]

I fitted an entrance tunnel on to mine at night but mine was screwed onto the landing borad I taped up the entrance so once I started they couldn't get out! After I fitted it I pulled the tape off and legged it! When back a few mins later and they were out running over the hive

Was easy but if you have a friend that goes with you just do it then in the day

 

[Levitt53]

Well I left it until it was a bit too dark so I couldn't really see too well. It went ok one side but got stuck on something the otherside so it's half in at the moment. The bees that were there were good natured, probably just shaking their heads at my ineptitude. I'll try again tomorrow.

 

[denise washington]

i use mouse guards and blank some of holes off with tape works for me

 

[Millet]

?......

 

[Cussword]

Well I left it until it was a bit too dark so I couldn't really see too well. It went ok one side but got stuck on something the otherside so it's half in at the moment. The bees that were there were good natured, probably just shaking their heads at my ineptitude. I'll try again tomorrow.

Why are you waiting 'til dark? Fit it during the day so you can see what you're doing.
.

 

[Karsal]

I use Pa£n£s poly hives and have only used the block with the four holes. Can easily reduce to one or two bee space by sticking a twig or a pencil in the holes when needing to reduce.
However, one problem that has occurred with a strong hive this year has been them coming back to the hive fully laden and queuing to get inside. The traffic jam then wanders under the side of the hive and forms a large cluster underneath on the OMF. I had to pop the varroa board under to stop them.
Remedy for next year will be a 20mm hole drilled further up the side of the brood box with a disc entrance that may alleviate the overcrowding at the entrance that can be opened and closed when a flow is on.

 

[Charley]

You don't need to wait until dark. Easier if you can see what you're doing. I take the roof off the hive to reduce a bit of weight then ease up one front corner of the brood box with a hive tool and slip in one end of the block. Walk round to the other corner, lift and ease in that end.
Make sure you have the right block for the floor. I have some OMF and some old solid ones. The blocks are all a few millimetres different!
Be gentle and have confidence. No hammers!

 

[Brigsy]

I use Pa£n£s poly hives and have only used the block with the four holes. Can easily reduce to one or two bee space by sticking a twig or a pencil in the holes when needing to reduce.

However, one problem that has occurred with a strong hive this year has been them coming back to the hive fully laden and queuing to get inside. The traffic jam then wanders under the side of the hive and forms a large cluster underneath on the OMF. I had to pop the varroa board under to stop them.

Remedy for next year will be a 20mm hole drilled further up the side of the brood box with a disc entrance that may alleviate the overcrowding at the entrance that can be opened and closed when a flow is on.

The block that came with my Paynes Poly has one side with the four holes and then if you rotate it has a sweeping open arch for most of the summer months.

 

[MuswellMetro]

I never take mine out anymore.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Never have to put any in

 

[Cussword]

Never have to put any in

The advantage of an underfloor entrance.
I can't see the sense in not having one.

Just my opinion