Hive records in poly roof

[domino]

Saw a guy stick duct tape on to write notes on

I do this at well.

 

[keith pierce]

If you leave your notes inside the hive, how do you remember, when you get home, what will need doing next time you visit, so you can take the appropriate equipment? (Maybe that's a stupid question, but I'm a beginner and also very forgetful)

i have all hive notes on the thickest waperproof paper that is used for water paints under the roof. I then have another one for each apairy which tells me what i need to bring for the next inspection and what hives need the most attention. This one i keep over the sunviser of the car or if its very important
then there is a joint in the dashboard in front of the steering wheel which i insert a note on a piece of cardboard.

 

[keith pierce]

one problem with writing on the roof only is, what if two roofs accidentally get swopped?especially as polly roofs like to blow all over the place. I write on roofs in my own short hand then write up properly sat in the van ( where the notes always stay)
I also have a few bricks in use too, brick stood on its end on the roof tells me 'dead out' with just a glance

totally agree. Nucs are been changed into hives and hives back into nucs and the roof records would never remain constant with the occupants of the hive.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I have a hook on each brood box, each queen is numbered, if the queen moves to another hive/nuc the number goes with her, if she's superseded or dies/is squished the number goes to the replacement queen. there is a record sheet for each number which is kept in a folder and stays with me - simples

 

[Erichalfbee]

My queens have all got names

 

[Roola]

then there is a joint in the dashboard

Is that to keep you calm, or the bees?

 

[keith pierce]

Good one. That must be why my bees are so chilled out.

 

[pargyle]

Dont use a wooden crown board as it compromises the insulation (you did buy a poly for the insulation value didnt you?). instead use a piece of PIR (kingspan, Recticel etc)

Or better still a 6mm clear polycarbonate crown board with a slab of Kingspan above it ..

 

[Roola]

Or better still a 6mm clear polycarbonate crown board with a slab of Kingspan above it ..

yes, I use poly crownboards, 15cm kingspan on top of that and overwinter with the poly feeder upturned above with roof on top.


Some really nice ideas here... thankyou everyone!

 

[Millet]

My queens have all got names

Mine is called Erica..

 

[madasafish]

yes, I use poly crownboards, 15cm kingspan on top of that and overwinter with the poly feeder upturned above with roof on top.


Some really nice ideas here... thankyou everyone!

All my hives have a minimum 100mm of insulation..

Edit: but we are a lot colder than London..and windier .. and wetter...

 

[Cussword]

My queens have all got names

Thanks to SWMBO so have mine,although I insisted that she only named the queens

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I name all my queens as well - Elizabeth I, II, III,IV etc. etc. - makes it easier to mark the hives that way

 

[madasafish]

I name all my queens as well - Elizabeth I, II, III,IV etc. etc. - makes it easier to mark the hives that way

Beware of Virgin Queens!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Beware of Virgin Queens!

but was she? I also believe she was the first monarch to own a bicycle - my history teacher always maintained she liked riding her Raleigh!

 

[For want of a better word]

but was she? I also believe she was the first monarch to own a bicycle - my history teacher always maintained she liked riding her Raleigh!

and Arthur Ransome invented the lawnmower!

Nos da

 

[iand]

All my hive notes stay with me, along with a to do list & equipment needed reminder. On the hive/queen number plate, I have marked the Q's year. Other than that I will use the position of the brick for further info, much easier to see on a quick visit when looking for maybe 1 or 2 hives to check for a problem, saves lifting all the lids.

 

[B+.]

All my hive notes stay with me, along with a to do list & equipment needed reminder. On the hive/queen number plate, I have marked the Q's year. Other than that I will use the position of the brick for further info, much easier to see on a quick visit when looking for maybe 1 or 2 hives to check for a problem, saves lifting all the lids.

I use an engineering brick on the top of each hive (eps). Its position denotes the general condition. If it points to the front of the hive, everything is ok (the colony is queenright and laying well at the last inspection). If it is turned 45 degrees, there was no sign of the quee/eggs (suspected queenless but may be honeybound). If it stands up on its end, this is a flag to say that the colony needs attention asap.

I have a "Brother" label maker which I use to make a label with the queens number which corresponds back to my stock book and hive records. This is stuck to the front of the hive. The hive also has a laminated card on the front with its number and my contact details (in case the farmer should need to get in touch with me).

The Hive records are all kept in a folder along with any import documents/health certificates. I also have a copy of the stockbook at the back of the folder so I can refer to a queens performance in a previous year.

 

[BrianO]

Good tips here ,

What about sheet under hive roof in plastic pouch , numbered to match hive nos .

After inspection fill in on said sheet, photo with phone, then in comfort of home file and review as required,

 

[Curley]

I like the idea- imaginative use of new tec.
Only problem I can see is propolis on the camera/phone or would you unglove(is that a verb?) to make notes anyway - in which case what to do when the bees are grumpy or worse and all you want to do is retreat?