Has anybody overwintered in a Paines nuc box?

[Erichalfbee]

I have had a mouse break into a poly nuc box from p a r k bees. I was using it for storing some store frames outside and never really intended it to house bees (it's a spare) I do however have 2 paines boxes I do intend to keep bees in. I emailed the company and they tell me that the metal mesh doesn't extend to the edges but that the poly should be tough enough at these edges to withstand mouse attack. I have no problem with this but was wondering whether anybody has bothered reinforcing their floors.

 

[fatshark]

I've got several overwintering ... (touch wood) all OK at the moment, though there was a mugging by a woodpecker in late January. It just had a go at the entrance hole, presumably because it can't cling on anywhere else.

All mine are on stands about 16" off the ground. All seem pretty strong.

Other than the entrance, the absence of frame runners and the narrowness of the feeder I'm reasonably pleased with these nucs. However, the eke is too expensive in my view, so I bodged a few up in wood and Kingspan to hold a kilo or so of fondant.

Of course, I've yet to do an inspection so there might be an extended family of mice in residence

PS I'd say that the poly seems lower density than that used for MB National hives or Kieler mini-nucs ... I'd be astounded if it could withstand a small hungry rodent.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

I've got several overwintering ... (touch wood)......

The cheek!

Honestly! People who spurn proper cedar hives - then 'touch wood' for good luck!


D

 

[Nic Rhodes]

bees doing well in them atm, only damage was a bit of chewing by wasps late in the autumn but I am please with them. Easy to use.

 

[Andre cardona]

one of myen overwintering with out gard no probs

 

[Erichalfbee]

Thanks everybody and Andre, sorry I forgot to say it ate its way through the floor chewing between the mesh and the poly.

I must have caught it early though. No damage to the combs and only a few droppings on the frames and floor.
Do you think they're OK to give back to the bees?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The cheek!

Honestly! People who spurn proper cedar hives - then 'touch wood' for good luck!


D

 

[BBG]

The cheek!

Honestly! People who spurn proper cedar hives - then 'touch wood' for good luck!

D

There's still the hive bench/pallet/whatever to touch!

That is, until they replace it with something infinitely recyclable and more environmentally friendly to let us grow the trees to take up the Co2 we churn out instead of cutting them down when they're at their best.

 

[drstitson]

i'm overwintering in one - bees doing very well. Have two pallet loads from the sales (made the ekes much more affordable) ready for this year.

old style are a pain re mouse guards - i have bent a piece of mouseguard to pin around the entrance.

IMHO the roofs aren't thick enough (AFAIK they may alter this when next reviewing moulds) - i had some condensation in autumn so made a deep telescopic roof for mine with 50mm kingspan in it.

The new ones with front entrance and spinner are a big improvement.

 

[johncorne]

I caught a late swarm last year, just about two seams of bees by October, but a laying queen. Left them in a that brand of poly nuc with a good feed, and now they are almost filling it. Pollen going in by the bucket load now!

Jc

 

[theengraver]

I have several hundred overwintering and all are doing well only one that has been a little chewed on one corner but the corners are fairly thick so they gave up before getting all the way in

 

[Erichalfbee]

Well, if several hundred are OK I'm sure any I use next winter will be too. Thanks.