Cloake Boards

[Somerford]

Quick Q - could one use an Open Mesh floor with a sturdy insert beneath it in the same way as a Cloake board ??

Am considering trying this method for cell building this year and didn't want to spend more on more kit just in case its a total failure

thoughts / advice ?

thanks

S

 

[masterBK]

Not sure how you would use a OMF as bees need to go through to the other side at certain times of the procedure. Can certainly useHorsley board in place of Cloak board. Can achieve the same effect with little bit more lifting involved using the method outlined in Vince Cooks book "queen rearing simplified".

 

[Somerford]

wouldn't you just add a wedge to the bottom of the insert to close it up or flip the floor upside down ? and then turn it 180 degrees when you need to ?

 

[Anduril]

If you removed the mesh from the floor, use the varroa insert to block off the bees, have the entrance block in the closed position and use a queen excluder to stop the queen going to the upper box. Where the insert goes you have a very large gap which you could reduce, but this will be your entrance 180° to the original entrance. Should work!

 

[fatshark]

You can build a Cloake board for about £2 with a Correx offcut (For Sale sign) and a simple wooden frame. Stand it on top of the QE and Bob's your Uncle.

 

[mbc]

You can build a Cloake board for about £2 with a Correx offcut (For Sale sign) and a simple wooden frame. Stand it on top of the QE and Bob's your Uncle.

"Like"
I made all my own very simply and cheaply and they work fine
Though, these days I tend to follow Michael Palmer 's queen cell raising method after doubting it, questioning him about it and he giving sound answers so I tried it and thought the quality of cells was superb. Not that you don't get superb cells using a cloak board but I felt I culled less using his methods.

 

[Goran]

Quick Q - could one use an Open Mesh floor with a sturdy insert beneath it in the same way as a Cloake board ??

Am considering trying this method for cell building this year and didn't want to spend more on more kit just in case its a total failure

thoughts / advice ?

thanks

S

I just place cardboard beneath standard framed qe with entrance. After finish I recycle cardboard and continue to use qe. Always have new insert.. Not so classy and neat but have no extra kit to look after or to stumble upon it..

 

[For want of a better word]

You can build a Cloake board for about £2 with a Correx offcut (For Sale sign) and a simple wooden frame. Stand it on top of the QE and Bob's your Uncle.

I used have used old conservative Correx signs over the years... seem to have a lot of recent ones!!

We use David Woodward's design... plus the long board... can also be made from Correx... use whichever way out you fancy... although it seems the bees are not too keen to walk over some of the candidates grinning "youthfull" mug shots!!!

Yeghes da

 

[Little John]

Crack open the boxes a little when you're ready - just enough to show a small gap - then slide a sheet of thick polythene (ex polytunnel type-thickness) over the resident QX. Then, when the magic has happened - slide it out again. Simples. Zero cost.
LJ

 

[Somerford]

I like the idea (and photos) of the home made boards and framed QX with side entrance thank you.

I might wait until after June 8th, Icanhopit, as I suspect there might be a surfeit of Red Correx signs with a certain bearded fellow on them thrown into hedgerows ha ha !

Mind you I wouldn't want to encourage my bees to start supporting the left as mine are good little Conservative bees ;-))))))

KR and thanks all for the ideas

S