Electrict heating of nucs. Huge results

[Finman]

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I have founded several nucs this spring and summer. Brooding results are tremendous with warming.

A week ago I made last 5 frame nuc. Day temps dropped from 22 C to 15-17C.
The nuc occupyed first 5 frames, but in cold weather next day 2 frames.

I added 6W heater on bottom, and after one week the nuc has 4 full frame of brood and eggs.

Now I must give the whole langstroth box. There is any more combs to lay. I bet that I have the whole box full of brood after a week. I see then, should I add more emerging brood frame or two.

Then appears a problem: There is not enough foragers to get pollen.... Add pollen frames of pollen patty.

4 weeks after operation start I have double box hive. Then we are at the end of July.


In the whole box I use 15 W heater.

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[JohnF]

Good results, was this using wood or poly nucs

 

[Finman]

Good results, was this using wood or poly nucs

IT is poly.
Entrance 2 x 2 cm. Solid floor. And mid summer.

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[Finman]

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Compare mesh floor nuc ventilation with 5 frames.

40 x 15 cm open mesh

My entrance 2 x 2 cm.


Floor open does not help build up of the nuc. Difference in opening 15 fold.

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[Quis Custodiet]

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............Floor open does not help build up of the nuc. Difference in opening 15 fold.

Very true, but some always know better.

 

[Finman]

Very true, but some always know better.

That famous " my gut tells me that".

 

[Karsal]

.
I have founded several nucs this spring and summer. Brooding results are tremendous with warming.

A week ago I made last 5 frame nuc. Day temps dropped from 22 C to 15-17C.
The nuc occupyed first 5 frames, but in cold weather next day 2 frames.

I added 6W heater on bottom, and after one week the nuc has 4 full frame of brood and eggs.

Now I must give the whole langstroth box. There is any more combs to lay. I bet that I have the whole box full of brood after a week. I see then, should I add more emerging brood frame or two.

Then appears a problem: There is not enough foragers to get pollen.... Add pollen frames of pollen patty.

4 weeks after operation start I have double box hive. Then we are at the end of July.


In the whole box I use 15 W heater.

.

Everyone shouts about Open Mesh Floors being the best thing since sliced bread.
We all have our opinions but I never have open mesh floors over winter I close them up until spring.
Spring build up of the hive is quite noticeable and I remove the bottom boards the start of summer.
They don't have OMF's in the wild.

 

[madasafish]

Everyone shouts about Open Mesh Floors being the best thing since sliced bread.
We all have our opinions but I never have open mesh floors over winter I close them up until spring.
Spring build up of the hive is quite noticeable and I remove the bottom boards the start of summer.
They don't have OMF's in the wild.

+1

 

[Finman]

.
Today I have here 16C and some kind of storm.
That wind blows the hive cool even via 2x2 cm hole.

Now that 5 frame nuc is in 10 frame box. I look later, should I add more emerging brood.

Rape starts blooming here after a week. Perhaps that nuc gets 15 kg honey.

When I give young bees, bees in foraging age can go to flowers.

 

[Millet]

Where do you get your power supply from to heat the hives if they are not close to home.

 

[Finman]

Where do you get your power supply from to heat the hives if they are not close to home.

I have 2 homes. One in Helsinki and another 150 km from Helsinki in rural village. I am just moving village home hives to outer pastures.

 

[Millet]

I have 2 homes. One in Helsinki and another 150 km from Helsinki in rural village. I am just moving village home hives to outer pastures.

So you keep your hives near a power supply.

 

[foghornleghorn]

......................................

............Floor open does not help build up of the nuc. Difference in opening 15 fold.

Very true, but some always know better.

Have never noticed a difference between mesh and solid floors only I have to clean solid ones.
All my hives are no more than 2-3 inches off the ground though so maybe that's why...

 

[Finman]

Have never noticed a difference between mesh and solid floors ...

That is strange because I regulate ventilation with entrance reducer. And size of entrance has a big meaning.

However, now it was question about electtict hearing. IT would be odd if I put a heat cable on the mesh. The whole floor board is warm with heater.

 

[Jambo]

Interesting discussion. Finman do you switch off the heat during warm weather? Either by thermostat or manually?

 

[Finman]

Interesting discussion. Finman do you switch off the heat during warm weather? Either by thermostat or manually?

I follow the number of ventilating bees on entrance. I have kept the heat on all the time.

This is first year that I have kept heating in June. Hives have not run too hot.
Biggest are 5 boxes.

 

[Jambo]

I suppose 6W is negligible compared to direct sunlight!

 

[wightbees]

Would these be heat mats that your using?

 

[Finman]

Would these be heat mats that your using?

15 W are 4 m long silicon covered cables.

6 W are pads.


Silicon cable is cheapest.

These are terrarium heaters and waterproof.
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[wightbees]

Cheers, will look them up