Levelling a hive

[BernardBlack]

Hive stood on a few cement blocks. Level at first, seem to have sunk a little at one corner.

It's not out by a massive amount, but enough to bug me.

Any tips on how to correct this? Ideally lifting one block while inspecting hive and raising it would probably do, but I usually inspect on my own, and would prove very awkward. Plus, would find it hard to get it exact when (literally) hive is in pieces (too heavy to heft).

 

[MartinL]

It's not out by a massive amount, but enough to bug me.
.

Best not to disturb the blocks but chock the hive from the top of them.

The block will have settled. Anything you do to interfere with the interface of the blocks and the ground will be subject to further settlement!

 

[Millet]

Hive stood on a few cement blocks. Level at first, seem to have sunk a little at one corner.

It's not out by a massive amount, but enough to bug me.

Any tips on how to correct this? Ideally lifting one block while inspecting hive and raising it would probably do, but I usually inspect on my own, and would prove very awkward. Plus, would find it hard to get it exact when (literally) hive is in pieces (too heavy to heft).

As martin says leave the blocks alone, roofing slate is brilliant for leveling them up, i have to do mine every year through moles digging under the paving slabs and to think i kill thousands of the little devils every year..

 

[Dadnlad]

roofing slate is brilliant for leveling them up

Estate agent signboard chopped up would do it

 

[Beefriendly]

Why have them level? A slight angle helps drain any water ingress etc.

 

[ShinySideUp]

Why have them level? A slight angle helps drain any water ingress etc.

OCD?

 

[Beefriendly]

OCD?

Care to explain?...as I've no idea what you are on about.

 

[Spikedog]

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder! degrees thereof ... offset picture frames may give rise to similar disquiet

 

[BernardBlack]

Hmm, I do tend to have a bit of OCD about certain things

Just thought that the honey on frames will be set at an angle if not level, and might be an issue when extracting?

 

[Millet]

As Far as i am Aware OCD means Obsessive Cleaning Disorder, fook all to do with bee hive pa lava.

 

[Hachi]

I ignored some of my hives leaning a little, only for it becoming a major problem when you get to three plus supers on fully loaded with honey. Often expected to visit with one or more having toppled over.

I cut a load of wedges from scrap/off cuts and carry them in the truck to straighten the hives up. Much safer and easy to do.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Any tips on how to correct this?

I do tend to have a bit of OCD about certain things

Get some reasonably large hollow steel piles driven deep into the ground, down to bed rock... these are then pumped full of concrete, then build the dead level concrete base/footings for your hives on top of these piles, I have seen the large machines which bore the holes and drive in these piles, they use such machines to build the footings for sky scrapers, etc...sure you could hire one in.

 

[Spikedog]

Agree with Hachi. - increasing angle could lead to slippage of Upper B Box or super(s) or allow water ingress ... I use wedges or thin cut off slips to remedy. Oh by the by touch of OCD here too.

 

[Softley]

If the blocks are on topsoil then this will happen. Topsoil is generally quite loose and contains a fair bit or air. You could try distributing the load by placing paving slabs under the blocks, but this obviously involves dismantling and moving the hive to one side - not a huge job when supers are off.

My hives aren't perfectly vertical, but ratchet hive straps keep them together.

 

[MartinL]

As Far as i am Aware OCD means Obsessive Cleaning Disorder.

Is that because you watch too much TV?

Or because someone is always following you around cleaning?

 

[Millet]

Is that because you watch too much TV?

Or because someone is always following you around cleaning?

I don't watch the TV but i do however like making a mess or so i am told i do..

 

[MartinL]

I don't watch the TV but i do however like making a mess or so i am told i do..

I call it "work in progress"!

 

[REDWOOD]

My Apiary looks like a famous place in Italy

 

[Softley]

My Apiary looks like a famous place in Italy

St Mark's Basilica?