Langstroth to National

[Tindog]

Brain picking time for options.
As well as my own hives, which are Nationals, I also look after two hives for a friend which are on a private site. These hives are Langstroth poliy hives. He can only have two hives on site which I can foresee may be an issue during swarming season. My friend does not wish to increase his bees so I am wondering what might be the best step forward. When the time comes to perform an A/S what would be the best way? My friend is happy for me to capitalise on any increase in bees but does not want any more himself. To complicate things further he has no spare kit so I am unable to utilise my equipment as it is not compatible.
Hope you can assist.
Tindog.

 

[Jimmy]

A Snelgrove board would be worth looking at if they can't increase the number of hives. At the end of the season recombine back to one colony per hive.

 

[Murox]

Various thoughts -
Adapt frames - adaptor for langstroth hive - https://discourse-cdn-sjc1.com/busi...3f0603e04768334506cb535ec93812bc98a8573b.jpeg

Make yourself a suitably sized cover board to enable National box to be placed above a langstroth.

Why create conditions for them to swarm any way ? Give them room and appropriate management.

 

[oliver90owner]

A/S vertically, if necessary, Or use the other hive as a base on which to move the A/S brood box.. Some thought needed, but possible.

 

[madasafish]

I have done the reverse move with success.. I made a conversion frame out of 6mm plywood which fitted between the different brood boxes. (basically a map of the two box bases which covered the common areas.. ) Place the box with bees on the bottom and drawn foundation in the top..Wait for the Q to start laying in the top, then QE between both and disengage when all brood in lower box has emerged..

Can best in be done in a strong nectar flow - and obviously not in winter..

 

[drex]

As suggested a vertical AS, with an adapter board if needed ( sheet of ply the size of the bigger brood box, with a hole the size of the smaller box) and you can mix boxes. However I would suggest your friend invests in some spare kit. It will save a lot of heartache come swarm season.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

If you want to keep bees, you must be prepared to deal with things like swarming. He has to get more kit then A/S vertacally, Demarree, snelgrove there are options

 

[Madge]

Yes, he needs more kit (as already mentioned). If still an issue, he can move the queen mother and enough bees into one of your National nucleus boxes which you can then move to your apiary.

(PS: the nucleus obviously filled with National frames from your supplies.)

 

[Pete D]

Combine his hives in the spring then AS them into the now spare empty hive when they want to swarm