Wasps.....and so it begins.

[Jonnyl]

Just home from work andcas usual a quick peek at the hive entrance to see how they are. Several wasps hovering and watched one enter the hive. Smoker on suited up, piece of foam on hand and out i went and stuffed up the entrance to roughly two bee space, as ive read on here. Very crowded but ok. Several wasps casing the hive out all around it anf an occasional one trying to land on the board but chased off by the guards. No dead bees at the entrance and no real fighting as ive read there would be. Did i get home just as it was starting? Pure chance? Anyway, how long should i leave thr foam in place? Thanks everyone.

 

[enrico]

Quick answer....yes leave it in place and read up on tube entrances

 

[Jonnyl]

Yes Enrico i will leave it in place . But should i leave it there for the rest of the season until the mouseguard goes on? Ive just been back out and watched for 5 mins and only saw one wasp in that time. Perhaps they're only scouting it for later and thats why there were no bodies? The positive was that i got to see the bees queuing to enter and their baskets were laden. Its rained here on and off, heavily, for a week so perhaps there's a dividend. The foam is simple and seems very effective, at least atm. Thank you.

 

[mike99]

I have just checked and there were about 3 on the ground below the hive. I squashed them. I just need to make one of Millet's tunnels.

 

[Karol]

Using a tunnel entrance reduces the amount of queuing. Not only is it better when you have a good flow but it reduces the risk of wasps ambushing nectar ladden bees to raid their crops which they do by amputating the bee's abdomen and sucking the nectar out of the crop.

 

[Hivemaker.]

I have just checked and there were about 3 on the ground below the hive.

Do you mean that you have just checked in front of Jonnyl's hive?

 

[Jonnyl]

Initially yes, i do every day. However i did of course go around the hive to see the full picture. No dead bees, not a single one. I've glanced at Millets idea and coming from him im sure its sound but i really don't fancy faffing around them and screwing drilling holes into the brood box. Maybe on the hive i already have made up for next year though. He advises using corrugated perspex roofing didnt he. Or so i seem to recall. I take so much on board from here i lose track. Hey...i work as well guys. Lol. Cheers

 

[mike99]

Do you mean that you have just checked in front of Jonnyl's hive?

No. I think the round trip might be too far. I meant my own.

 

[Jonnyl]

Oops. ��, sorry

 

[Millet]

Initially yes, i do every day. However i did of course go around the hive to see the full picture. No dead bees, not a single one. I've glanced at Millets idea and coming from him im sure its sound but i really don't fancy faffing around them and screwing drilling holes into the brood box. Maybe on the hive i already have made up for next year though. He advises using corrugated perspex roofing didnt he. Or so i seem to recall. I take so much on board from here i lose track. Hey...i work as well guys. Lol. Cheers

Why would you be screwing and drilling holes in the brood box ?.. you simply make a tunnel entrance from the correct diameter wood in your shed/garage then remove the pathetic one sold with hives and slide the one you have made in its place..it takes all of two minutes..

 

[enrico]

Or.......get a piece of cable trunking. The sticky square type like you get in b and q. Cut a piece shorter than the width of your hive. Cut a decent size hole in the BACK which goes over the entrance. Cut the front sliding bit in half. When shut there is an entrance at either end when slid open there is a direct route into the main entrance. Can keep it in all year and slide it open as much or as little as needed. Works as a mouse guard too.
E

 

[Jonnyl]

Didnt mean to cause offence Millet but im not DIY savvy. Plus ive not studiously covered your post with regard the entrance although i intend to soon. Ive no tools either which may present an issue and im still trying to gain experience of handling bees never mind modifying hives. You'd never guess im the son of a joiner. Aplogies again if i seemed glib.

 

[Beefriendly]

Didnt mean to cause offence Millet but im not DIY savvy. Plus ive not studiously covered your post with regard the entrance although i intend to soon. Ive no tools either which may present an issue and im still trying to gain experience of handling bees never mind modifying hives. You'd never guess im the son of a joiner. Aplogies again if i seemed glib.

You can cut the same tunnel entrance blocks with pieces of polystyrene. No carpentry skills required. Just a sharp knife.
Won't last as long as the Chippendale equivalents; but you only need them for a short while anyway.
Millets pictures are pretty self explanatory.

 

[Millet]

Didnt mean to cause offence Millet but im not DIY savvy. Plus ive not studiously covered your post with regard the entrance although i intend to soon. Ive no tools either which may present an issue and im still trying to gain experience of handling bees never mind modifying hives. You'd never guess im the son of a joiner. Aplogies again if i seemed glib.

Don't apologize Jonny as you have caused no offence however the entrance blocks are really easy to make... all you need is a piece of wood of the correct depth and width.. a hand saw and a wood chisel ... you could push the boat out and buy a pencil and a £1 tape measure..

 

[Millet]

You can cut the same tunnel entrance blocks with pieces of polystyrene. No carpentry skills required. Just a sharp knife.
Won't last as long as the Chippendale equivalents; but you only need them for a short while anyway.
Millets pictures are pretty self explanatory.

 

[Popparand]

Why would you be screwing and drilling holes in the brood box ?.. you simply make a tunnel entrance from the correct diameter wood in your shed/garage then remove the pathetic one sold with hives and slide the one you have made in its place..it takes all of two minutes..

For "diameter" read "width"? Not being pedantic, mate, but it had me puzzled for a while.

 

[ShinySideUp]

I see Millets tunnel entrance and I can easily make one but why does it work? Surely the entrance is just as high and as wide as the blocks that come with the hive, just further in. If the wasps can get through the 'supplied' entrance blocks why can't they get through this? I'm probably being a bit dopey here.

 

[Millet]

For "diameter" read "width"? Not being pedantic, mate, but it had me puzzled for a while.

You have me puzzled

Edit.. sorry i am with you now.. but for the love of god you knew what i meant ..

 

[Beefriendly]

They Create a restricted tunnel of several inches..something an ordinary entrance doesn't.

 

[Millet]

I see Millets tunnel entrance and I can easily make one but why does it work? Surely the entrance is just as high and as wide as the blocks that come with the hive, just further in. If the wasps can get through the 'supplied' entrance blocks why can't they get through this? I'm probably being a bit dopey here.

There is a slight chance of that... i have mentioned measurements for several years now and to be honest if folk can not get there head into gear from the pictures and explanations i have posted i will give in to defeat as i can not make it more simple.