Poly hive questiions

[Levitt53]

Hi, I have one wood and one poly hive but want to expand this year. I understand the pros and cons so don't want to start that discussion. But I have two specific questions for those using polys.

1. What vessel have you found to clean them in - big enough and the right shape?

2. Can you buy a cover board with a hole for feeding, or does anyone just use wooden ones?

Thanks

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

I have a huge plastic tub on a metal stand that is 4'x3'x30'' deep that I purchased from a farm supplies, I had to shop around to find something that big with a plug hole. It gets used for all sorts, Washing feeders and hives and even the dogs.

I use a wooden crown board with one central hole and a 1 inch eke on one side, C W J sell one very similar.

 

[Anduril]

Hi, I have one wood and one poly hive but want to expand this year. I understand the pros and cons so don't want to start that discussion. But I have two specific questions for those using polys.

1. What vessel have you found to clean them in - big enough and the right shape?

2. Can you buy a cover board with a hole for feeding, or does anyone just use wooden ones?

Thanks

I clean one side wall of a poly at a time

I use wooden crown boards

 

[Levitt53]

I have a huge plastic tub on a metal stand that is 4'x3'x30'' deep that I purchased from a farm supplies, I had to shop around to find something that big with a plug hole. It gets used for all sorts, Washing feeders and hives and even the dogs.

I use a wooden crown board with one central hole and a 1 inch eke on one side, C W J sell one very similar.

Thanks that's helpful. I think I am going to go the poly way the more I think about it. I'll have to shop around. I'm not sure why you use an eke though. Could you explain?

 

[Swarm]

Thanks that's helpful. I think I am going to go the poly way the more I think about it. I'll have to shop around. I'm not sure why you use an eke though. Could you explain?

Think about flipping it over to feed/treat perhaps?
You don't need to submerge the whole hive in order to clean it.

 

[mbc]

Abelo do a thick poly crown board .

 

[Saffabee]

If you search plastic people on google they sell poly cut to any size you want and will drill a hole in the centre. I just glued 8mm wood frame to one side and job done. I bought 6mm poly carbonate and now I can put jumbo feeder on it with no bowing


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[Levitt53]

Abelo do a thick poly crown board .

Oh they look interesting hives. Have you used them before?

 

[mbc]

Oh they look interesting hives. Have you used them before?

I have one, I'm quietly pleased with it but it's only had bees in it for 9 months so it hasn't stood the test of time yet.

 

[Swarm]

I have one, I'm quietly pleased with it but it's only had bees in it for 9 months so it hasn't stood the test of time yet.

People say 'ready painted', is this actual paint or more of a 'coating/skin'?

 

[mbc]

People say 'ready painted', is this actual paint or more of a 'coating/skin'?

Seems to be a tough coating of paint that doesn't chip or flake off and dents with the poly a bit when knocked.
As I say, I'm impressed and would get more had I not baught a job lot of other hives before these came out.

 

[Beefriendly]

Abelo do a thick poly crown board .

Its quite versatile as well, the only glitch I find is losing the loose poly inserts for blocking the five ventilation holes.....so I leave them in the bee shed until winter. Versatile in you can overwinter a couple of nucs above using the warmth of the colony below. A practice more prevalent on the continent than over here. It also doubles as a travel screen with all the vents open and there is just enough space to add an eight way escape underneath the central hole and use as a clearer board. You can add a rhombus but I think you need a little more room underneath for this to clear properly...but I shall no doubt try it at some point.

 

[bontbee]

..... Can you buy a cover board with a hole for feeding, or does anyone just use wooden ones?
Thanks

I just drilled out a hole in the thin polycarb cover board that came with the hive (from Maisemore). It might as well not be there most of the time, but it's handy when it's needed...

(I fear I have done Pargyle out of a sale of his top quality holes- so sorry, sir)

 

[pargyle]

I just drilled out a hole in the thin polycarb cover board that came with the hive (from Maisemore). It might as well not be there most of the time, but it's handy when it's needed...

(I fear I have done Pargyle out of a sale of his top quality holes- so sorry, sir)

There's always competition from DIY'ers but the quality of my holes will win through in the end ....Never quite perfect when you try and make your own holes - for 50p a throw (and now I'm offering bulk discounts on 10 or more !) is it worth making your own ?

 

[pargyle]

Anyway ... back on topic ... I make my own 6mm polycarbonate crownboards (recycled polycarbonate shower screens and doors are a good source) and I cut a hole in the centre for a feeder. The cut out circle gets glued to a square of the same material and I use this to block the hole when there's no feeder in place. I make a rim from the same (glues well with superglue) polycarbonate as I like top bee space. Best thing since sliced bread clear crown boards.

I have Paynes Polys and they have just brought out a poly crown board - I've bought a couple to try but having got them I intend cutting the middle out an replacing it with clear polycarbonate. But .. they are a nice piece of kit and match thr profile of the Paynes hives - much better than the flimsy clear sheet that comes with the hive as standard.

https://www.paynesbeefarm.co.uk/polystyrene-national-hive/poly-crownboard-with-porter-escapes/

 

[sinya1sinya]

I purchased a poly hive from Maisemore and was supplied with a flimsy plastic sheet as a crown board, which would lie completely flat against the tops of frames in National Hive. This can't be right surely? I thought that 5-6-7mm bee space required so bees could walk over frames. Also zero chance of ventilation. ???
Set me straight someone!!

 

[Anduril]

I purchased a poly hive from Maisemore and was supplied with a flimsy plastic sheet as a crown board, which would lie completely flat against the tops of frames in National Hive. This can't be right surely? I thought that 5-6-7mm bee space required so bees could walk over frames. Also zero chance of ventilation. ???
Set me straight someone!!

The crown boards are extra

 

[Swarm]

I'm fairly certain they do crown boards and queen excluders for their polys, 500mm ones, not the standard 460mm.

 

[bontbee]

Yep, my maisemore poly hive came with a thin, clear coverboard that sits on the top of the frames - 500mm square - and now complete with hole!

They don't supply one with their poly nucs (or at least didn't when I bought them) but, as I saw yesterday, you can now buy a poly nuc sized crown board, made of the same material, for £3. Hole not included...

 

[B+.]

I purchased a poly hive from Maisemore and was supplied with a flimsy plastic sheet as a crown board, which would lie completely flat against the tops of frames in National Hive. This can't be right surely? I thought that 5-6-7mm bee space required so bees could walk over frames. Also zero chance of ventilation. ???
Set me straight someone!!

I just buy a sheet of clear plastic from a builders merchant to use as a clear "crown board". Its no problem and you don't have to remove it in winter to see where the bees are. They propolise the edges down ready for winter so don't break the seal unless you really have to. I think I paid about £30 for a 50*2m roll. It will last for ages.